No one figures it out alone
While the wells of knowledge lie within us, it needs to be ignited by an external suggestion
Have you ever noticed how the best ideas rarely come out of nowhere? Whether it’s a new invention, a life-changing insight, or even just figuring out how to cook something new, we almost always need a little external push to get started. In Vedanta, there’s a profound understanding that True knowledge (Jnana) doesn’t simply arise from within—an external influence must awaken it.
According to Vedantic thought, the mind, trapped in its habitual patterns and limitations, cannot always break free on its own. A person might have the intellectual capacity to grasp something, but without the right external suggestion, guidance, or moment of realization, that knowledge remains dormant. This is why the role of a teacher, a scripture, or even life circumstances is so vital in self-discovery.
Take the example of Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita—a skilled warrior fully equipped with knowledge yet paralyzed by doubt. It was only through Krishna’s external guidance that he was able to see things clearly and act. Similarly, Vedanta emphasizes that knowledge comes alive only when received in the proper context and at the right time, whether through a teacher, an experience, or an insight that shifts our understanding.
And guess what? The same thing applies to world history.
Take, for example, how the U.S. and the Soviet Union became military superpowers after World War II. It wasn’t just raw ambition that did it—it was a massive knowledge transfer from Germany, which had been leading the world in cutting-edge aviation and missile technology.
How the US and USSR got their big break
Before WWII, the U.S. and USSR had decent military programs but weren’t breaking new ground. Meanwhile, Nazi Germany had already figured out things like jet propulsion, ballistic missiles, stealth aircraft, and guided weapons—stuff that sounded like science fiction at the time.
When the war ended, instead of letting all that knowledge vanish, both the U.S. and USSR decided to, well, borrow some brains:
Operation Paperclip (USA): The U.S. secretly brought over 1,600 German scientists, including Wernher von Braun, who later helped put a man on the Moon and built some of America’s first ICBMs.
Operation Osoaviakhim (USSR): The Soviets weren’t far behind—they relocated over 2,000 German engineers, who played a significant role in their fighter jet and space programs. Without them, Sputnik and Yuri Gagarin’s space mission launch might have been years behind schedule.
Big idea: Knowledge never comes in isolation
This isn’t just a Cold War thing—history is full of moments where one civilization levels up by learning from another:
The Greeks learned from the Egyptians, and then the Romans improved on Greek philosophy and engineering.
The Renaissance happened because Europe rediscovered Greek and Roman texts, thanks to scholars in the Islamic world who had preserved them.
Japan’s rapid industrialization (Meiji Era) was fueled by learning from Western nations.
Every significant leap forward has an external nudge behind it. Nobody figures everything out alone.
And it is also true for minute matters too:
It’s like when you finally learn your mom’s secret recipe for a dish you’ve been trying to make for years. You might have all the ingredients and follow the instructions strictly, but it never tastes quite like hers. Then, one day, she casually mentions, "Oh, I always add a pinch of this spice at the end," and suddenly—boom!—the dish turns out perfect. That little external nudge makes all the difference.
Or think about learning to ride a bicycle. You might understand the mechanics—balance, pedaling, and steering—but it's nearly impossible to get started until someone holds the bike steady for you in those first wobbly moments. Once you get that initial push, though, you never forget.
Or maybe it’s like trying to fix something at home. You struggle with a jammed door, trying everything from oiling the hinges to adjusting the screws, but it still sticks. Then, a neighbor drops by and casually suggests, "Try lifting it slightly when you pull." Suddenly, the door opens effortlessly, and you realize the fix was simple all along—you just needed someone to point it out.
Bringing it back to you
If history and Vedanta agree on one thing, it’s this: progress happens when we allow ourselves to receive knowledge from outside sources. And this isn’t just true for nations—it applies to personal growth, too.
Think about the last time you learned something that changed your life. Maybe it was a mentor’s advice, a book you stumbled upon, or even an offhand comment from a friend. These moments act as catalysts, just like those German scientists were for the U.S. and USSR.
It’s easy to think we need to figure everything out on our own, but the truth is that the right external nudge at the right time can take us further than we ever imagined. So, what’s that next spark for you? Maybe it’s a skill you’ve been meaning to learn, a perspective you’ve been resisting, or a conversation you’ve yet to have. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum—but it does happen when we stay open to learning from unexpected places.
What’s one external influence that completely changed your path? Do write it out in the comments!