When an individual suffers from their own ignorance, it can be observed as a cycle of self-induced suffering. Often times this pattern of self-induced suffering is apparent to everyone in the room except the individual who remains blinded by ignorance. Being an ubiquitous aspect of our shared humanity, we all share an inherent susceptibility to remaining unaware of what we don’t know.
It’s wise to realize that this affects us all in big and small ways, from the deeply personal level of our own inner world (why am I feeling this way?), to the interconnected dynamics of society at large (why are they acting that way?). We don’t know what we don’t know, but if we remain curious and open, we can glean wisdom from the difficult circumstances and cycles of suffering that are rooted in our individual and collective ignorance.
The cost of ignorance is unnecessary pain and suffering. It’s missed opportunity and regret. It’s lack of faith and hope. The cost of ignorance is a diminished life, it’s meaninglessness, hopelessness, uncertainty, and fear. The cost of ignorance is chaos, it’s the unraveling and destruction of beauty and order. The cost of ignorance is the loss of what’s loved, and an inevitable slide into insanity.
When we’re suffering but can’t figure out why we are suffering, it’s maddening. This is as true at the personal level as it is at the societal level. Given the existential crisis that is ravaging our nation, it seems appropriate to stop and ask ourselves why — Why are we so divided? Why are people acting so strange? Why am I so frustrated with what’s going on? Why does it feel like everything is spinning out of control?
As I’ve been pondering these questions, considering the different facets of this complex situation, something struck me. Ignorance is an inherent part of life and is always present in some degree or another, but not all ignorance has the same degree of impact. Thus, a small degree of ignorance in one area can easily have a disproportionate impact in all other areas of life, affecting society as a whole.
For example, being ignorant of government propaganda has widespread consequences.
