Kalvi, Kural 396

"தொட்டனைத் தூறும் மணற்கேணி மாந்தர்க்குக்
கற்றனைத் தூறும் அறிவு"

"மணலில் உள்ள கேணியில் தோண்டிய அளவிற்க்கு நீர் ஊறும், அதுபோல் மக்களின் கற்றக் கல்வியின் அளவிற்கு அறிவு ஊறும்"

"Thottanai thoorum manarkeni mantharku
Katranai thoorum arivu"

"Water will flow from a well in the sand in proportion to the depth to which it is dug, and knowledge will flow from a man in proportion to his learning."

Ref image is from thirukural.net

Here Thiruvalluvar compares the proportion of water flow as we dig against the proportion of knowledge flow as we learn.

So we must realize that learning is a continuous process, need not always be just formal education. We learn through every moment and every phase of our life. Learning through experience and making use of our senses helps a lot.

Looking at how this works, our brain makes neural connections every time we learn new things.

Amazingly brain compares every new information with what has already been established. It searches neural networks that already exist that it might connect this new information to. If it finds something, it links the new information creating a new network of connections.

So this is how we remember things easily, if we are exposed to it repeatedly.

If there is no existing neural network , new connections will be formed between neurons that were not previously connected to create new networks. This is how new memory is formed.

Interestingly sharing knowledge helps us learn as well. many are skeptical about sharing information and hoard them out of insecurity. But as we share, discuss and explore our knowledge increases too.

So let's be generous and concious about sharing information. Knowledge cannot be stolen and can only increase over time, a boon indeed.

Let's be open to learning, it is never late.learning is a continuous process and will come handy at any point in time. Keep learning.

TBC.