When I asked a 23-year-old friend, “Do you believe in lifelong learning?”, she said, “I do not want to do a PhD.” Whenever we talk of learning throughout life, people generally associate it with learning from books or journals. But learning is not confined to the closed walls of academic institutions.
Life is a journey, a continuous flow of energy. It is not just the processes of crossing stages, but also about attaching meanings to the phases that let us grow into stronger, fuller individuals.
Today, in the information age, we have hindered this journey with our rigidly constructed learning.
The concept of lifelong learning stresses that learning and education are related to life as a whole. It need not be linked to formal qualifications, but is a way to cherish life more. It is a process of keeping mind, body and heart engaged in day-to-day activities, irrespective of age, by pursuing knowledge and experience.
For example, in an HR department, employees cannot acquire knowledge of human behaviour only through books; rather, they need to observe people and understand them. Whether it is learning how to dance, to speak a foreign language, to be techno-savvy, or learning from someone’s experiences, everything has its own benefits and charms.
From infancy and adolescence to adulthood and old age, at any stage you can continue to develop on a personal level and contribute more to your own life, in terms of family, career, relationships and society. Thus, we need to look at the factors that could actually enhance the lifelong learning process:
Retaining aspirations: Learning throughout life is vital if we are to make informed choices about our lives and the society we live in.
It is said that a man dies when his hope in life is dead, so we need to keep stoking the desire to achieve or gain.
Applying knowledge: Today, when there is an immense increase in the volume of information, challenges and complexities, we need to sift through knowledge — and the best way to test any theory is to apply it to everyday life.
Adapting readily: We should be able to critically evaluate what we have read or learnt and adapt accordingly. We need to be open, not just in soaking up knowledge, but in using that knowledge to enhance relationships, work etc.
Respecting mistakes: Errors are a part and parcel of life, and they contribute to our growth as mature individuals. For example, if you fail in maths, it lets you understand your limitations and tells you where you need to improve.
Life is full of chaos and suffering, and its real meaning emerges from learning. The lessons include self-awareness, self-management and self-monitoring. As American leader John Patterson said, “Formal education will earn you a living, self-education will earn you a fortune.” I believe in earning a fortune. What about you?
It is said that a man dies when his hope in life is dead, so we need to keep stoking the desire to achieve or gain.
Applying knowledge: Today, when there is an immense increase in the volume of information, challenges and complexities, we need to sift through knowledge — and the best way to test any theory is to apply it to everyday life.
Adapting readily: We should be able to critically evaluate what we have read or learnt and adapt accordingly. We need to be open, not just in soaking up knowledge, but in using that knowledge to enhance relationships, work etc.
Respecting mistakes: Errors are a part and parcel of life, and they contribute to our growth as mature individuals. For example, if you fail in maths, it lets you understand your limitations and tells you where you need to improve.
Life is full of chaos and suffering, and its real meaning emerges from learning. The lessons include self-awareness, self-management and self-monitoring. As American leader John Patterson said, “Formal education will earn you a living, self-education will earn you a fortune.” I believe in earning a fortune. What about you?
The author is a senior consultant psychiatrist with Moolchand Medcity and Vimhans, New Delhi. Send him an email at hthorizons@hindustantimes.com, marked ‘Dr Nagpal