Learn, Unlearn, Relearn: The Path to Progress - Episode 114

Follow My Vedanta Substack: cristianoluchinivedanta.substack.com/ Spirituality, creativity, history, and ancient wisdom. Contact: cosmicdancerpodcast@gmail.com Podcast with Jayashankar Krishnamurthy, Director of the Vedanta Institute of Hyderabad, India. Topic: Learn, Unlearn, Relearn. "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn." - Alvin Toffler Learning is an enjoyable experience when we pursue topics that genuinely interest us. Each day, we gain new insights and knowledge, though some subjects require more time and effort to master. However, the real challenge for people lies in unlearning - letting go of ingrained beliefs and habitual behaviors to make room for new ones. Unlearning is like scraping off the old paint before applying a fresh coat or clearing land to prepare the soil for new plants. The cycle of learning, unlearning, and relearning is crucial for personal growth and progress. Unlearning liberates us from harmful assumptions and negative patterns of behavior. It necessitates time and introspection. People encounter this process when transitioning to new life stages or work settings. Unlearning allows us to break free from outdated paradigms and embrace new possibilities. In new environments, people have opportunities to explore, interact, and pursue their interests. As old assumptions crumble, creativity, critical thinking, and curiosity blossom. Unlearning is key to igniting our minds and unleashing human potential. The Vedanta philosophy emphasizes that our true self (Atman) is infinite and beyond any limiting beliefs or identities. By recognizing our true nature as limitless consciousness, we can release rigid attachments to beliefs and remain open to new ideas. Vedanta teaches that the self is the impartial witness, unchanged amidst the ever-changing world. By abiding as a witness, we can adapt to change with an open and receptive mind. The "neti neti" principle encourages us to negate the limiting attributes of the world to realize our true selves. This helps us let go of preconceptions and cultivate a beginner's mind. When we reject identifying with the impermanent attributes of the body, mind, and world, we remain as open, infinite consciousness - the true self. This allows for a fresh start and new beginnings. Vedanta highlights the impermanence of the world, mind, and body. Everything in the manifested world is constantly changing. When we recognize this truth, we understand there are no rigid beliefs or ideas to cling to. We see that everything is relative and subject to change. This fosters humility, adaptability, and a willingness to release assumptions - essential qualities for continuous learning and growth. Alvin Toffler's statement holds true: in the future, illiteracy won't result from an inability to read or write but from an inability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. So let's embrace the power of unlearning and embark on a transformative journey of relearning, growth, and new discoveries.