484.  Past

Principles

Learning

Aging and learning

As stated before, when young you might clearly enjoy learning, and when older, it requires far more effort.  The yogi masters of body control kept their efforts to a minimum.  There is just so much of life, and even learning uses up life.  One can still learn but should not strain.

177.  Past

Principles

Learning and Understanding

Natural and unnatural learning    

When younger, if not thwarted, one can enjoy learning.  A bright uncle I had said he would go to the library and read all the books in the library, starting at one end of a shelf and finishing at the other end and then again.  Later Uncle Albert had stomach troubles, surgery, and afterwards he would arrive at one location during a visit and leave right away for the next.  He had become impatient, always ‘on to the next thing.’

Common knowledge says a healthy mind wants to suck up all the knowledge there is.  This all takes energy, however, and effort, and time.  Later, all this learning can hurt the brain.  I recall a man who prided himself on all he knew about auto parts.  He worked at an auto part store and the new information kept on piling in.  His brain became "fried," as he put it.  He literally had hurt his brain by learning too much.

As one ages, it becomes apparent that one has to put the brakes on learning.  It is better to know just what you need to know.  Too much absorbed knowledge uses up your vitality. If, as a young person, you had learned in a natural, unforced way you probably could still absorb some knowledge without self-damage.  If, on the other hand, you were pressured and learned out of fear or ego your brain almost fights the very act.  Perhaps Alzheimer exemplifies this in the sense the mind returns to a childlike state and refuses to absorb any more information.

62.  Past

Principles

Learning

Real learning   

Real learning takes place by leaps.  It comes from a yearning of the
spirit towards that from which it came.  It is our life force being drawn
by this yearning through time and experience and along this path recognizing
what it needs to know. Learning without being attached to this process eventually becomes lifeless and dry.