A Little Knowing, A Great Becoming

Life’s journey is full of mysteries, challenges, and learning curves. Each day brings fresh struggles & opportunities for growth. This reflection explores the tension between knowing & ignorance, the limits imposed by time & mind, and the silent mission to nurture one’s self into a treasure of enlightenment. It is a personal meditation on embracing small knowledge and striving beyond, no matter how tiny the steps.

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Reflection

Every day is a challenge, and the body and mind
Take different routes without a control or guide.
Life is a labyrinth—it jumbles by itself,
And some solution arrives, slow but sure, with time.

Indeed, life’s puzzle is never fully solved—
At least not by the individual’s own hands—
He lives with these gaps, these deficiencies known,
Knowing well, he’s small in Providence’s grand plan.

Examples are many: I own a mobile phone,
With apps that could make life so much more smooth.
But I don’t know how to use them, and remain ignorant,
And simply work with the little that I know.

I sit in a car every day, but know not its parts,
Nor how all systems work to give me a smooth ride.
I am content with this little knowledge—just sit back,
The driver drives; the mechanic will repair as needed.

I have a laptop computer, vast as a sea—
Its knowledge could make me a Bill Gates in time.
But I lack the urge, do not try, and perhaps will never
Understand its depths beyond my humble reach.

Admittedly, one cannot know the whole,
But must bear the pain of knowing too little, still.
This is life’s great compromise—the little we hold—
Perhaps a foolish world where all know but a bit.

Some try to rise above their ignorance, but face
A vast, enormous field far too wide to grasp.
Body and mind have limits, practical and firm—
Time, energy, and age make many things impossible.

Yes, with effort, perhaps we can know a little more,
More than if we didn’t try at all to learn or grow.
But here lies the crux—each one is given a choice,
Some freedom in how they treat themselves in this regard.

Man is given intellect by providence’s grace,
Which he may use for growth, to develop himself.
Though sometimes we block each other’s paths with schemes,
At times, we support for reasons deep and true.

Life’s span is limited, mostly passed in routine:
Eating, working, going out, sleeping, and so on.
What best time you can carve out just for yourself?
Very little—and that little must be wisely used.

Within one’s limits, try to reach the highest peak,
It is possible—one must strive with all their heart.
The problem is that others can only help a little—
You must show your intentions clearly to see results.

A life with a mission focused on the self—
The self is a project to develop beautifully.
Try at least what lies within your bounded limits,
And some respite will come, to grow and flourish well.

Even a single day of true enlightenment—
More precious than the full wealth of all today.
It is a personal treasure none can ever match,
So we should all strive with passion to outshine.

Pawan Kumar,

9th June, 2025 Berhampur (Odisha) Time 9:06 A.M.

From my Diary (A Morning Reflection — 1st April 2021, Thursday, 8.39 A.M. New Delhi)