They key, the lock and the prison

Today’s Idea

Imagine someone is confined in a dark prison cell. He is been there so long that the darkness and the stench have become his reality. But suddenly, a wise man, someone he really admires, appears. That person offers the prisoner a key saying, "Here's the key to your freedom. Insert it into the lock under the door handle, turn it to the right, then turn the handle. The door will open, and you can walk out."

But he might misunderstand the instructions. He might take the key, see it as a symbol of hope, and hang it on the wall, treating it as an object of reverence. This might bring him some comfort. But he is still trapped.

Later, when the wise figure returns, and he is still imprisoned, the prisoner might become disillusioned. "This key is useless!" the prisoner might exclaim. "I've revered it for so long, and nothing has changed!" In anger, he might even throw the key away, rejecting the very possibility of freedom it represents. But this rejection, like blind reverence, leaves him in the same predicament: still trapped in the cell.

This key, in our exploration, represents any wisdom, insight, or principle that has the potential to improve our lives. But just like the prisoner, we can misunderstand or misapply this wisdom if we don’t use it the way it’s meant to be used.

In this story, the prison cell is a metaphor for any situation where we feel trapped, limited, or unfulfilled. The key represents the wisdom that can liberate us. And taking action is the crucial element that allows us to use the key to escape the prison.

Remember, wisdom is only useful when it’s applied. You don’t have to force it. It will come naturally. But if you keep accumulating wisdom but do not apply it, you will be disillusioned like the prisoner.

So, don’t just passively absorb information. Take steps to implement them. Translate them into action in your own life.

Today’s Action

Take a piece of paper and start writing:

1. Why do you read: Be honest. To learn? To escape? To grow? List every reason.

2. Dig Deeper: For each reason, ask why again. Uncover the underlying drivers.

3. Define: What do "wisdom" mean to you?

4. Action: How do you use what you learn? Think of a recent nonfiction book you read. What did you do with the knowledge or wisdom you gained?

5. Your Motivation: Can you now define your core motivation for reading?

Until the next time, may you define your path with wisdom and walk it with courage.

P.S: In case you haven’t noticed, I have used wisdom a few times in this article. But, do you have the same definition of wisdom as I do? Let’s explore it further together in the next post.

The story featured in this article has been adapted from Ajahn Sumedho, a brilliant Buddhist Monk. The original story features Buddha, and is a better read than my version. You can find the original story in this book (scroll to page 14).