An erudite scholar is delivering in-depth lecture on different critical aspects related to diverse human relationship in a well-equipped classroom using digital technology, with handouts in the hands of the learners who are a few weeks away from their term final exam.
However, only a handful of students are paying full attention to the class lecture, while the rest are feeling like fish out of water in the classroom environment. However hard the professor is trying to conduct an effective and meaningful class by making students concentrate on the discourse, all his earnest efforts are falling on deaf ears.
Upon close observation, he has discovered that most students are not at all interested in detailed course studies just ahead of the examination, rather they want their teacher to focus on only the probable important questions that might be set in the upcoming exam.
In this case, wisdom of the professor is not being properly disseminated to the students, which indicates that knowledge sharing cannot be one sided; rather it should be reciprocal based on mutual convenience.
In contrast to that, a group of talented university students are very much enthusiastic about detailed course studies and are focusing concentration on the classroom activities, but the professor is too reluctant to share his hard-earned knowledge and experience with others, fearing that he might lose the mighty grip on his domain of wisdom and others might plagiarise his innovation and outshine him in terms of knowledge and competence.
On top of that, he is not generous enough to enlighten his pupils by sharing his prudent wisdom which he had earned through relentless efforts and rigorous studies.
While the students are burning him with lots of queries to quench their ardent thirst for their knowledge and competence, they are getting frustrated over repeated failures to get the desired feedback from their mentor, whose inherent reluctance poses a barrier to wisdom sharing activities or procedures.
Actually, the solution to the problem lies in making both parties attentive to and zealous for the knowledge sharing activities. A single lapse of attention from either party may jeopardise the entire wisdom sharing process.
Definition of wisdom
Wisdom is a unique blending of subjective experience, profound knowledge and judicious judgement. In this mundane world, which abounds with knowledge and information, the exact entity of wisdom is often marked by its downright simplicity and eternal bearing.
Wisdom, in contrast to information, embraces the refined crux of experience, perception and vision. However, the distinct value of wisdom lies not in its mere concealment but in its widespread dissemination and spontaneous sharing.
Roles of wisdom
Wisdom loses its inherent value unless it is shared and disseminated to others. In reality, we cannot ignore the significance of shared or disseminated wisdom and its overriding impact on personal and social life.
In fact, the dissemination of wisdom plays a significant role in enhancing societal strength, ingenuity and cultural legacy. The sharing of wisdom is the key to the gradual growth and unity of the communities.
The spread of wisdom which dates back to oral traditions of ancient culture is instrumental in cultural enrichment and societal upliftment.
Where to share wisdom
Transmission of wisdom can take place in different strata of society like family, community, educational institutions, manufacturing companies, charitable organisations, armed forces etc.
For example, teachers can share their wide range of experience, subject-knowledge, individual philosophy and views towards life with their beloved learners by his applying their extra-ordinarily pedagogical skills.
Students can help their low-performing friends overcome their learning incapability by showing them different innovative techniques and strategies, which may exert positive influence on the overall classroom performance.
Besides, enlightened parents can kindle learning spirit and inculcate the teachings of discipline, integrity, morality and piety in the mind of their children by sharing with them the invaluable lessons they might have learnt from wide range of studies.
Colleagues also exchange knowledge, skills, expertise and wisdom with their fellows, especially in Research and Development sectors; thereby becoming resourceful persons in the organisations.
Even in society, educated people can play a significant role in eliminating illiteracy and ignorance and thus contribute to building a happy and prosperous society. Actually, shared wisdom can bring about a revolutionary change in the society.
How to share wisdom
Now question is how to share wisdom. Actually, there are diverse ways of disseminating wisdom among the groups of people. For example, wise men can share their wisdom through their etiquette and manners.
Most often, people observe how wise men perform their daily life activities and behave with their relatives, friends, family members, office colleagues and community members. Consequently, they try to imitate the behaviour and conduct of the wise men who thus unknowingly share their wisdom.
"Books serve to serve show a man that those original thoughts of his aren’t very new after all" the famous quotation on books implies that whatever a person thinks to be his/ her own innovation is an aberration of truth; rather it is the consequences of shared wisdom which is handed down from generation to generation.
Actually, books are the cornerstone of disseminating different ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions and philosophy. Writers, poets, analysts, researchers, explorers, and anthologists preserve their precious lifeblood in their creative works which keep disseminating knowledge, skill, expertise, experience and wisdom from generation to generation.
They never die; rather they live alive through their creation and keep enlightening the people by means of perennial presence in noble deeds. Margaret Fuller said, “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it.”
Seminars, symposiums and workshops are also effective means of sharing distilled knowledge and experience, which can make participants acquainted with innovative thoughts and ideas.
Usually, different subject experts grace the events as speakers and share their practical experience and impart life skill trainings through lively presentation. Sometimes, participants take part in the discussions and also share their own views and opinions.
Albert Einstein said, “Wisdom is not a schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.”
Sharing life stories and job experience can be a powerful way to share wisdom. Stories leave an indelible impact on the listeners’ mind and reverberate throughout their life.
Most people enjoy listening to anecdotes and gain knowledge from story- telling. A story teller with lively narrative style and pleasant voice can easily impress the audience and share his/her academic, professional and personal experience.
Khalil Gibran said, “A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.”
Benefits of disseminating wisdom
Guiding the youth: The Intellectuals can enlighten the young generation by sharing their hard-earned knowledge and experience with them to help them navigate all difficult circumstances of life. Life presents ordeals and predicaments to human life, which can be overcome with resilience, determination and grits. During inexorable perils, timely suggestions or guidance from a mentor works miracle for a person especially where there is no flicker of hope left for them. Actually, wise men are like beacon steering the aimless youth towards their cherished goal.
Building an enlightened society: Through transmission of wisdom, enlightened people can lay the foundation of a civilised society; thereby dispelling the darkness of ignorance as a torch bearer and social reformer. Human society is still reeling under the curse of dogmatism, extremism, prejudice and superstition which tend to demean the spirits of the young and plunge them into an abyss of despondency. It is cultural, political and environmental awareness which can purge the nation of such social evils and this awareness comes from shared knowledge.
Boosting community strength: The power of enhancing inter-personal relationship and communication lies in dissemination of wisdom which fosters social interaction, builds mutual trust and strengthens social fabric. Great philosophers like Socrates and Aristotle made unique contribution to the consolidation of community bonding.
Enhancing creativity and development: Creativity and diligence leads to overall development of the society. A person develops creativity, insight and sagacity when they intellectually interact with prudent scholars and far-sighted personalities. Sharing expertise with wise men kindles the spirit of ingenuity, fosters cognitive and emotional growth. Actually, creativity and success are the logical consequences of knowledge sharing.
The real value of wisdom lies not in concealment but in its dissemination among the people who are lacking in it. The civilisation would have come to a standstill if knowledge and experience had not been lavishly shared.
The blessings of modern science which have embellished our life could not be imagined and we would have to live in the dark caves like the primitive people if the votaries of science did not share their innovative ideas and thoughts with others in the greater interest of humanity. Wisdom, when shared, becomes a driving force that can usher in a new of success and prosperity.
It can be summed up with a quotation of Dalai Lama, “Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.”
The writer, Brigadier General Al Faroque Siddiquee, BSP, ndu, afwc, psc, MPhil, is the Principal of Adamjee Cantonment College, Dhaka
