On Learning Mindset

No one disputes the importance of learning. Yet, few can claim to carry a life long learning mindset. In our exponentially changing world, learning mindset has become essential for the survival as industries and our workplaces evolves. Perhaps Covid19 triggered changes are a premonition to 'the pace of change', that is to yet come!

Essential to learning is a Learning Mindset. On this topic, I recently came across the wisdom of Chanakya, the revered Indian teacher from 3rd century BCE, in my my son's Hindi text book. The propose by Chanakya goes as follows in Sanskrit.

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(Kak cheshta, Bako dhyanam, Shvan nindra tathaiv-ch)

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(Alpa-hari, Gruha-tyagi vidyarthi panch lakshanam)

The prose describes five essential qualities of a 'Student of Life'. Let us decipher and understand the meaning of above prose:

1. Kak cheshta (Crow's Persistence) = Student must put in persistent efforts like that of a crow. Remember the childhood story of thirsty crow who manages to drink water from an earthen pot by filling it with tiny pebbles!
2. Bako dhyanam (Egret's focus) = Student must focus on his aim just the way Egret bird focuses on its prey!
3. Shvan nindra ( Dog's alertness/awareness) = Student must be alert and aware of the world around him and not just be bookish!
4. Alpa-hari (feed frugally) = Feed only what is necessary to the body (for good health) and to our mind (i.e. avoid the distractions and useless information/noise that comes our way)
5. Gruha-tyagi (comfortable being uncomfortable) = Student must realize that Comfort and Success doesn't co-exist, and he must be comfortable being uncomfortable.

And I just would like to add one more thing...

Stay Curious....as curiosity is the beginning of Learning Mindset!