In the quiet corners of existence,
A spark flickers, unbidden.
Underlying said phenomenon is that,
Without being wanted or sought for,
It grows into a flame of self-inquiry
That not only makes one discover
What lies beneath our shadows,
But also truths we do not know about.
We are young kids again
Eyes wide with the world’s vastness.
Every inquiry is a pebble tossed
Into the pond of existence,
Ripples spreading,
Running on shores we have never reached.
The fire inside
Burns layers of uncertainty,
Dissolving all the cozy fallacies
We surround ourselves with.
To question is to bridge
The gap between self and other,
Side by side with the pitiful gesture
Of one’s own fingers pointing towards nothingness,
Between the known and mysterious.
In asking, we are stripped
Like a newborn baby becoming vulnerable,
Yet even as powerful as old men of knowledge.
As we shed off clothes of curiosity,
The real us stands out ‘naked’.
Here, our truest essence is revealed.
May this fire burn brightly,
Let it destroy the walls
We have erected around our hearts.
It is here that we find traces of wisdom
(Because they have been revealed) amidst burning beliefs;
Seeds which need light to grow.
Embers of Inquiry
There’s something special about curiosity. It’s like this little spark inside us that just won’t quit. It doesn’t ask for permission, it doesn’t wait to be invited – it just shows up, ready to light up our world.
Think back to when you were a kid. Remember how everything was a wonder? How you’d ask “why?” about a million times a day? That’s the spirit we’re talking about here. The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates was famous for this. He believed that the path to wisdom starts with admitting how much we don’t know. It’s a humbling thing, but it’s also incredibly freeing.
This curiosity, it’s like tossing pebbles into a pond. Each question sends out ripples, touching parts of our world and ourselves that we never even knew were there. The Jewish philosopher Martin Buber talked about this idea of “I and Thou” – how truly engaging with the world around us can lead to profound connections and insights.
Now, let’s be honest – curiosity can be uncomfortable sometimes. It burns away our comfortable assumptions, the little white lies we tell ourselves to get through the day. The existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre had a lot to say about this. He believed that facing the truth about ourselves and our world can be anxiety-inducing, but it’s necessary for authentic living.
But here’s the beautiful thing – in questioning, we build bridges. Between ourselves and others, between what we know and what we don’t. The Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti once said, “The ability to observe without evaluating is the highest form of intelligence.” That’s what real curiosity is about – observing, questioning, without immediately jumping to judgments.
It’s a vulnerable thing, asking questions. It’s admitting we don’t have all the answers. But paradoxically, that’s where our power comes from. The Taoist philosophy talks about the concept of wu wei – the power of non-action, of being open and receptive. In our curiosity, we become like empty vessels, ready to be filled with new understandings.
As we let our curiosity burn bright, it might feel like we’re destroying parts of ourselves – our old beliefs, our comfortable assumptions. But remember what the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said: “You must be ready to burn yourself in your own flame; how could you rise anew if you have not first become ashes?” It’s from these ashes that new wisdom grows.
So keep that flame of curiosity alive. Let it burn away the walls you’ve built around your heart and mind. Be open to new ideas, new perspectives. Ask questions, even when – especially when – it feels uncomfortable. Because it’s in those moments of vulnerability, of not-knowing, that we often find our truest selves and our deepest wisdom.
Remember, every great discovery, every profound insight, started with a simple question. So don’t be afraid to ask. Your curiosity isn’t just a personal trait – it’s a light that can illuminate the world around you. Keep wondering, keep exploring, keep growing. That’s where the real magic happens.