Step out of shadows – The Economic Times

In both Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and the story of Shvetaketu, there is a gentle reminder about the nature of knowledge, self-awareness and the ego. The prisoners in the cave mistake shadows for reality, while Shvetaketu, proud of his education, is lovingly guided by his father to look beyond intellectual understanding. Both anecdotes invite us to consider that to truly see reality and embrace the unknown, we may need to move beyond what we think we know and understand.

Wisdom, in its purest form, does not come from accumulating facts but from stilling the mind and being open to what is unspoken and unseen. When we calm the continuous stream of thoughts, we allow ourselves to connect with a deeper, intuitive knowing – wisdom that goes beyond the intellect. This journey requires us to unlearn and meet the unknown with humility.

As suggested in both Plato’s and Svetaketu’s stories, the path toward enlightenment is not about seeking more knowledge but about transforming how we see. It involves stepping out of the shadows, beyond distractions of the mind, and awakening to broader reality that exists both within and around us. In this space of expanded consciousness, we are no longer confined by what we think we know. Instead, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of what we do not know, free from limitations of the ego.