Examining the Aesirian Code: Knowledge
By Mike Taylor
Drótinn of the Mannerbund
This is the fourth article in a series in which I will examine the Aesirian Code of Nine, focusing on a single code per article and with the following disclaimer:
In contrast to deeper and purely esoteric examinations by members of the gothar class, my series of articles will be from the lay practitioner. Each will contain aspects from the exoteric and esoteric, but will not focus on one or the other. My goal is to provide a ground-eye view of the Aesirian Code of Nine based solely on my own personal experiences, research, and study. As with all articles I write, my examinations are mine and mine alone. I neither seek to impose my perspectives on any of the folk nor dictate any single means of belief, interpretation, or view. I simply mean to share my experiences in the hope they foster conversation, discussion, and further inquiry.
According to the dictionary, “knowledge” has a variety of definitions, each separated by nuance. Among the distinct variations include “the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience,” “the circumstance or condition of apprehending truth or fact through reasoning,” and “the sum of what is known; the body of truth, information, and principles acquired.” Common to each of these is the element of awareness and the process of learning, both reflective of a dynamic concept.
Essentially, knowledge is a combination of information and learning, which combine to produce knowledge. If one couples knowledge with experience, once can achieve understanding, but this is beyond mere knowledge. For the folk, knowledge requires exposure to information coupled with a willingness to learn. Information without learning consists merely of data points and serves little purpose. Conversely, information put through a learning process results in knowledge, which forms the very basic means by which the folk – individually and collectively – learn.
For followers of The Way, “knowledge” means so much more:
Knowledge is power. Seek ever to expand the mind. Never stagnate, for knowledge is a gift from the Gods.
Short and simple, it captures the various layers of a complex concept, connecting not only key elements – information and learning – but also a warning against squandering something gifted from the Gods. But what does it all mean? Let us break it down into its component parts.
Knowledge is power. A statement of fact, and one which contains so much meaning. On the one hand, knowledge alone is merely potential power, unrealized and intangible. On the other hand, knowledge combined with action is realized power, something tangible. Both are important, but the former reflects a mere collection of information put through the grind of the learning mill while the latter is all that and a willingness to act on that accumulated and learned information. Both have their purpose, but which is better?
Seek ever to expand the mind. Here we have a requirement to strive for more. After all, if one strives for more knowledge, is one not improving one’s self? Would you settle for a finite knowledge base? No, you would not, nor should you. We should all seek to be as knowledgeable, experienced, and learned as we can. When we seek to become our better selves though expanding our mind, we make ourselves better, improve the lot of our families and communities, and strengthen our folk. To stop expanding your mind is to fail in your duty to your folk, simple as.
Never stagnate, for knowledge is a gift from the Gods. Here we have a warning, one we would be wise to remember. To stagnate, then, is to refuse the gift of knowledge and, thus, insult or dishonor the Gods. Would you knowingly and willingly do this? Strive to learn one new thing every day. After a week, you have learned seven things. This is the path to knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.
Surely it cannot be as simple as that, right? We are human and we have flaws. There are some who think they know it all, but they are not being true to themselves or their kinfolk. Those who are true, those who truly understand, know that no matter the knowledge they gain, they know very little. The saying “the more I learn, the more I realize how little I know” holds true. Knowledge begets a quest for knowledge, the hunger for which should drive one to become one’s better self. Do not let pride stop you from learning, for this aspect of the code fully supports, and contributes to, the others.
Do not be satisfied to merely collect data points. Apply that information you learned to gain experience and achieve understanding. There are many repositories of information; avoid replicating them and becoming another cog in the information wheel. Turn your knowledge into action so others may benefit from your experiences and understanding. Become the better you; become a source of enlightenment for your family, your community, your folk.
Knowledge, or the collection of learned information, is power, as stated above. But it comprises only one aspect – the mind - of becoming one’s better self, the others being the body and soul. Knowledge of the mind unacted upon is stunting and limits the potential of the other two; thus, to realize its full potential, it must be exercised in concert with the body and soul. In this way, one maximizes one’s potential and serves as a vanguard for one’s folk.
Knowledge is power. Become powerful by becoming knowledgeable…and take appropriate action. This is the Aesirian way.
