Ignorance is Bliss

“Ignorance is the parent of fear.”

― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick or, the Whale

Ignorance is bliss

We have all at times heard this proverb “Ignorance is Bliss”.? As per dictionary meaning it implies “If you do not know about something, you do not worry about it”.

But that doesn’t give us any power over the unpleasant circumstances in our lives yet today we are discussing this very powerful phrase in a different light which will unleash its enormous power so that it can add a different dimension, a more meaningful one, to our life.

So what is so incredulous about this simple proverb which makes it worth a read. Yes, my dear friend, there is more than what meets the eyes. There is a magical meaning in these words which has the power to brighten up your lives, take away much pain and suffering from your life. Actually these are no magical words like “open sesame” or “abracadabra” but still their magic is much bigger and much brighter. Their power is not merely in the words but the meaning we infer from these and apply it in our lives.

We are all bogged down by circumstances, situations, people at times in our life. And they can drain our life energy to such an extent leaving us let down, disheartened, discouraged, sad, and exposed to a plethora of negative emotions.

So what has these words “Ignorance is bliss” to do with all this? A lot. Yes a lot, actually way beyond our imagination. A shift in perspective is all we need to unhide the hidden meaning in these words.

The saying “Ignorance is bliss” originates in Thomas Gray's poem “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College'' (1742). The quote goes: “Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise.” Face it: you were better off not knowing that, weren't you? Generally speaking, ignorance is a detestable state of mind.? It is an undesirable considered trait of mind which can be downright rejected. We don’t want to be labeled ignorant. But yet here we are trying to rediscover this golden phrase which has a deeper hidden meaning which can empower us instead of letting us down.

Going by the dictionary usage the phrase implies that not knowing certain things, situations can make us blissful or rather not pained by their knowledge. True, literally these words are the seat of bliss. But not literally. Instead we have to delve deeper and probe the meaning of these words which is not just the tip of the iceberg.

Ignorance is bliss - A powerful phrase

The power of any phrase or reading lies in the hands of the reader or knower. Magic words or phrases are meaningless unless the knower understands their real power and knows how to wield it at times of need. It is not simply the knowledge of the words which can make them magical. But the power comes from the ability of the knower to use them appropriately.

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A magician or wizard knows many magic phrases and knows to use the appropriate words in times of need. Only then these are useful to the wizard. Words have enormous power but only if we know their intent and how to use them.??

The power of the phrase “Ignorance is bliss” lies in the ability to use this phrase at appropriate times which can make it more meaningful.

This is not a passive phrase but an active one i.e. we have to apply the intended meaning to our lives to harness its vast power.

The active meaning of “Ignorance is bliss” implies being wilfully able to ignore the unpleasant situations, people, circumstances in our life and enjoy the bliss that will pervade. ??

Yes, dear reader, this is a simple invocation of this powerful phrase that has the power to change our lives. To make us happier, contended, fulfilled and healthy too.?

Ability to wilfully ignore a situation. will yield bliss which could otherwise have been a poisonous concoction filling us with hatred, jealousy, anger, envy, frustration, sadness, grief or even guilt.

But to be able to ignore a situation we should be present enough to recognise the situation.

This is another important part of applying the power of Ignorance to reach our bliss. To recognise an unpleasant situation and move out of it, simply ignoring it. There are many unpleasant situations or people which come in our lives and we tend to get carried away with them and become participant in the stories they have to tell. Getting involved in such situations or people is what makes us lose our power over these and we are victims of their malignant outcomes. And we are helpless to think that there was nothing we could have done to escape from this drama.

But had we been present enough to recognise this unpleasant situation we could have responded rather than reacting. And use the power of ignorance to our advantage and escape the unpleasant emotions arising out of our getting attached to the situation.

Presence is the secret ingredient which helps us to bring up the hidden power behind simple words and we can detach ourselves from the situation for a moment to clearly see the situation for what it is and not from the perspective of the story framed by our mind about the situation.

The power of ignorance comes from the presence and detachment. Being ignorant is like living in a fool's paradise but power to wield ignorance helps us to regain our lost bliss which we forsaken for our so-called need to react to each and every situation thrown by life at us.

Understanding the simple fact that we need not react to each and every scene of the drama of life helps us to Ignore the scenes and just smile and move on carrying our inner bliss within.

May the power of wilful ignorance be your faithful? companion.

“Seek refuge in the attitude of detachment and you will amass the wealth of spiritual awareness. The one who is motivated only by the desire for the fruits of their action, and anxious about the results, is miserable indeed.”

― Bhagavad Gita