Learning and knowledge

Sensei Nishiyama used to say, “Once you think you know, you are finished, you don’t learn anymore”.
This illustrates the problem with knowledge – when we feel we “know” something completely, it can start to feel dull and lifeless. The fact that we can observe the wonders around us every day and not remain in awe shows that our sense of curiosity has died in some way. “Not knowing” is different than willful ignorance.

So how can we continue to learn and expand our understanding, while still retaining a feeling of wonder and newness? One approach is to think of each new thing we learn as one piece of a larger puzzle that is still incomplete. Instead of letting each new bit of knowledge become just another item we “know” and file away, we can use it as a reminder of all that still remains a mystery to us.

In karate, Sensei Nishiyama constantly emphasized seeking “the beauty of one finishing blow technique.” He didn’t stress practicing more techniques or memorizing more complex combinations. Rather, he urged his students to go deeper into each individual technique. In his view, each technique offers limitless levels of refinement…