"Debes recibir las enseñanzas de la vida directamente de la vida. Si mantienes tu mente orientada hacia la vida, no hacia la información, estés dormido o despierto, eres consciente de todo el universo."

The core idea here is that we should learn from our direct experiences in life and not just from information provided by others. By being fully present and engaging with the world around us, we can achieve a deeper and more holistic understanding of life.

Now, let’s take a step back. This quote speaks to the idea that real wisdom comes from living—actively participating in the ups and downs of our own unique journey. It’s about being in tune with the world around us, feeling the highs, the lows, and everything in between, rather than just passively absorbing second-hand information. Think about it: reading about how to ride a bike is entirely different from actually feeling the wind in your hair as you pedal down a hill.

Take the historical context of someone like Socrates. He was notorious for walking around Athens, asking questions and engaging with people directly rather than relying solely on books or lectures. His approach was all about interaction and real-life experience. For Socrates, wisdom was not about having information but about engaging with life and learning from it.

Let's bring this to life with a real example—imagine a gardener learning about plants. You could read countless books and articles or watch endless YouTube tutorials on gardening. But the moment you get your hands dirty—literally planting seeds, tending to them, feeling the soil, observing how plants respond to sunlight and water—you’ve entered a whole new realm of understanding. When you experience the growth process firsthand, you start noticing the subtle signs of what your plants need. You gain insights that no book could fully convey. You become attuned to the life in your garden in a way that a purely academic understanding could never match.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your own life? Engage fully with whatever you’re doing. If you’re learning a new skill, immerse yourself in practice. Feel the texture of the materials, listen to the sounds, pay attention to the smells. If you’re trying to understand a different culture, go there, talk to the people, eat the food, and soak in the atmosphere. Don’t just rely on second-hand accounts.

Imagine this scenario: you’re at a coffee shop, chatting with a friend. You’re both discussing new hobbies you’d like to take up. Your friend mentions they’ve been reading up on painting. You suggest, “Hey, let’s go buy some canvases and paints right now and just give it a try.” So you do. You spend the afternoon splashing colors on canvas, making a mess, and laughing at the results. By the end of the day, you’ve not only learned something about painting, but you’ve also created memories and deepened your friendship. That’s what it means to take life instruction directly from life.

In essence, don’t just sit back and absorb. Get out there, engage with the world, and let your experiences—both good and bad—shape your understanding. Life is messy, unpredictable, and beautiful. Embrace it fully, and you’ll find yourself more aware, more connected, and more alive.