I saw this posted recently by a friend on Facebook. “The art of knowing is knowing what to ignore.” I appreciate the simplicity of this proverb and how it depicts the lens through which we each view life, and what we see or do not see.
Ever since I read this proverb it has been playing on my mind. It is a simple proverb and yet, as is often the case with great poets, it contains a world of knowledge in it and the secret to a happier and more peaceful life.
This is an amazing proverb which tells us the best way to educate ourselves with a great way. The Art of knowing means the best way to seek knowledge and information without losing time and energy. … it’s definitely an Art to know what you want to know and what you want to ignore.
If we want to know something about the truth, we must select all information, and we must dare to ignore what is unimportant, do you know why we must do such a thing because every quality of information we accept, the main reason we need to select the information because it will influence our future, including our habit, attitude and thought.
Like the two prison inmates in the comic above, the lens we interpret our situation, circumstances, and life directly influences our lives and how we enjoy or detest its experiences. Our lens is critical to our ability to find the internal and external resources we need to succeed, whatever success means to us personally.
As a child, I heard a story of the triple filter test. It speaks of a man who met Chanakya the great philosopher on the road one day. The man wanted to tell the philosopher something pertaining to his friend. The philosopher stopped the man before he could speak, requesting him to put what he was about to relate through three filters- first: whether what he was going to say was true or based on mere hearsay; second: whether it was something good about his friend; and the third whether it would be useful to the philosopher or help in any way knowing what the man had to say. Since the man failed all the three filters, the philosopher bid the man not to tell him anything at all and continued with his work.
This story sends out an important message: before we accept what is told to us by others, as also before we say something about others, we need to pass our words through the same three filters. Anything that is not a validated fact is not constructive in making us or the other person better has to avoid completely.
There are several ways by which one can cultivate the art of filtering what to keep and what to ignore. Character building is a constant process, as life itself is a constant flow and presents new experiences and learning at every step. The practice of virtues has to become a part of our daily life. As we progress, starting with our thoughts and spoken words, our actions follow suit. The mind becomes clear and instantly knows what is worth paying attention to and what we must ignore. In fact, the art of “knowing” becomes a natural outcome of practicing these virtues.
How do you decide what is important for you, and what is unimportant for you? Do you have any filters like the ones Chanakya gave the man? Feel free to share your insights in the comments box below.
46 Responses
Dear Keen Writer,
Lots of valuable lessons in this article. Yes, I do have a reliable method for deciding what is important to me and what is to ignore. It is by trusting my inner self, not the fear-based voices of the mind. The inner voice almost works as a GPS, if we train ourselves to listen to it. It helps me take (or not take) actions and choices from a centered, grounded state.
One very solid filter which I have lately come to use when dealing with others is the ability to recognise ‘projection’. It’s a behavioural tactic where people behave or use words (in often hurtful ways) which has nothing to do with us, but merely a reflection of what that other person is going through deep within. Recognising projection helps me be kind and forgiving to them and avoid unnecessary conflict; I can retain my peace and stability as well, without reacting to their provocative actions.
Much love!
Really informative blog. Thanks Again. Really Cool. Judye Christoper Jasper
Thanks so much for the blog post.Thanks Again. Great.
Thanks a lot
I get very useful information on your page, I feel lucky
Wow, great blog article.Really thank you! Really Great.
You produce quality content, I appreciate you
There is certainly a great deal to know about this issue. I love all of the points you made. Kerry Tim Jara
Wonderful post! We will be linking to this great content on our site. Keep up the great writing. Sari Merle Vincelette Ina Maximilianus Cornelie
After looking at a handful of the articles on your web site, I truly like your technique of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon. Please visit my web site too and let me know what you think. Sileas Dino Pentheas
It depends. What caused you to eat the banana?Recommending that people base at least some of their choices on reason is consistent with free will, since if there were no free will, then no one could choose to follow your recommendation! Elora Abe Kayne
I believe this is one of the most important info for me. And i am glad studying your article. However want to observation on some general things, The web site style is perfect, the articles is truly excellent : D. Just right process, cheers Arabelle Avram Meisel
Hey there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading your articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics? Thank you so much! Rebeka Syd Noman
Hello there. I discovered your blog by the use of Google whilst searching for a comparable matter, your site got here up. It seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then. Abigale Derrick Zubkoff
There is noticeably a lot to realize about this. I consider you made some good points in features also. Etty Weider Ag
Good article. I do not envy University Presidents, Athletic Directors and other decision makers who have to decide when to reopen schools and/or when to restart athletics. Until there are vaccines and other treatments decisions to reopen will put people at some degree of risk. Pietra Vernen Froh
It as hard to come by experienced people in this particular topic, however, you sound like you know what you are talking about! Thanks Arlina Ozzy Jacqueline
I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours. Sayre Skell Glick
Hi my family member! I wish to say that this article is awesome, great written and include almost all significant infos. I would like to see more posts like this . Pier Garrik Benedic
Hey there! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have got here on this post. I am returning to your blog for more soon. Drusi Davy Loraine
you are truly a just right webmaster. The site loading velocity is amazing. Gina Felicio Wilterdink
Just wanna state that this is handy , Thanks for taking your time to write this. Tim Adrien Taite
You made some really good points there. I looked on the web to find out more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site. Theresina Hadrian Xanthe
Useful information. Lucky me I found your website by chance, and I am surprised why this accident did not took place in advance! I bookmarked it. Herminia Ian Schnurr
I will right away snatch your rss as I can not to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks. Janela Arney Devitt
I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your blog?
Its very well written; I love what youve got to say.
But maybe you could a little more in the way of content
so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot
of text for only having one or two images. Maybe you could space it out better?
Feel free to surf to my site :: CBD for dogs
It’s awesome in support of me to have a website, which is valuable designed for my
experience. thanks admin
My web-site: CBD for sale
I have learn some excellent stuff here. Definitely
worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how much effort you
put to create any such excellent informative site.
Feel free to visit my web blog CBD for dogs
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is
added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there an easy method you are
able to remove me from that service? Thanks a lot!
my web blog :: cbd for sleep
amazing content, i love it
I have a blog on blogger and I want to add a background image. How do I do that? And the image is from the internet on my flickr account. So how?.
I can write better than the average person (not that that is saying much these days) and I have strong opinions on various subjects. I don’t have experience as a journalist or technical writer, but what does a person need to start blogging and who pays, if the blogger gets picked up as a writer?.
levitra 5mg price levitra 20mg price canada 100 mg levitra
I am grateful to you for this beautiful content. I have included the content in my favorites list and will always wait for your new blog posts.
I am grateful to you for this beautiful content. I have included the content in my favorites list and will always wait for your new blog posts.
I am grateful to you for this beautiful content. I have included the content in my favorites list and will always wait for your new blog posts.
Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your site in internet explorer, might test this?
IE still is the market leader and a big section of folks will
miss your fantastic writing because of this problem.
whoah this blog is great i like studying your posts.
Keep up the great work! You recognize, a lot of persons are
searching around for this info, you can aid them greatly.
Great looking site. Assume you did a whole lot of your very own coding.
Good Web page, Preserve the useful work. Many thanks.
Really enjoyed this post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Really enjoyed this post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Really enjoyed this post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Really enjoyed this post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Really enjoyed this post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
Really enjoyed this post.Really thank you! Keep writing.