In this month’s article, student Nina Iria Niemeyer reflects on the tale The Ruby by González Pecotche in the book Logosophical Interlude.
The Ruby
By González Pecotche
It was back in 1918. At that time, a group of people was enjoying their vacation in a hotel in the mountains. Amongst the happy tourists was a Swiss scientist who was interested in the variety of minerals and stones that existed in the region.
One night during dinner, he announced that early the following day he would explore the nearby stone quarries to look for a certain ruby that he thought could be found there, based on the description obtained of the calcareous characteristics which were similar in nature to the layers that usually enveloped these precious stones. His dinner companions received this announcement with great pleasure and enthusiasm, having all expressed their intention to go to the prescribed sites in search of rubies.
As was his custom, the scientist left before sunrise the next morning and, when in the quarries, stopped several times to examine more closely various types of minerals, pounding his hammer here and there, opening fissures and cracks with his tools and picks, until he finally began to perforate with his drill selected lime blocks.
Several hours later, the group that wanted to start their search began to arrive. They scattered throughout the hills, hammering at random, eager to find the bright red stone, imagining what they would do with the stone once they found it.
The search lasted many days after which the scientist announced happily that he had found the ruby. He showed it still covered by thin calcareous layers decorated with dark green minerals.
After celebrating what everyone called “the luck of the Swiss”, each one expressed his regrets for not being the lucky owner of the precious stone.
Someone who had been observing the episode attentively came forward and addressed the group:
– He is a geologist and by virtue of his knowledge he would be expected to find the stone. Using this knowledge, it was easy for him to follow the streak until he discovered the desired stone. He found it because his search was not conducted at random. The truth is that everything has a purpose of being and because of this, things do not happen by chance. Consequently, he who possesses geological knowledge, for example, would find it easier to discover the location of a mineral than he who does not possess such knowledge.
As everyone listened with great attention to the reflections presented by the unexpected speaker, he continued after a short pause:
– The same occurs in all areas of knowledge. He who has a cognition can use it to discover other cognitions, and he who has many, due to that same force that emanates from this knowledge, will attract to his area of expertise everything he aims to achieve. In the present case, the geological knowledge acted as a magnet which, being applied to the objective of the search attracted him without difficulty. In this way, the ruby concealed in these rocks immediately saw the light when placed in the hands of its legitimate owner, that is, of he who discovered it by means of his knowledge.
But this was not all – he continued – because your minds had only conceived the image of a polished and cut ruby that reflected colorful hues whose rays nurtured greed, and blinded your understanding. On the other hand, the geologist knew that he would find it covered by dark coatings. And, yet, if someone else had held it in his hands for a moment, he would have thrown it away at once, as are thrown away so many other stones that are similar to the ones around him.
—
One can conclude from this narrative that when someone seeks something and invests his time and energy in his search, the assistance of a cognition is necessary so that the attempt is not left to chance. Everything obeys causes and laws that cannot be ignored, and so it is logical to think that as more knowledge is acquired, greater are the probabilities of success in each undertaking. He who searches blindly will never find what he seeks, and if he casually trips over his target he will not perceive the hidden reality of its existence, or will discard it, ignoring the value contained behind its visual appearance.
[González Pecotche, C. B. Logosophical Interlude. Logosófica, pp. 29-31.]
What do you think of this story?
I found the analogies very rich, especially for students like me, and at this time of the year. I liked the part where the author explains how the geologist was only able to find the ruby because he had already studied, worked hard, and was prepared for what he would find; that it wasn’t luck or chance, as other people were thinking.
I related this to what I want in my process of conscious evolution. In order to improve myself, I need to study and know what holds me back. Know my deficiencies and have knowledge of what they do to my mind. Use my ability of thinking so that I can go after how to stop my deficiencies from “attacking” me. Using my mental defenses is how I can continue the process of finding my ruby.
One of the deficiencies that I want to improve in myself is impatience, especially with myself.
When I’m studying for my statistics class, I often get frustrated because I can’t understand when I get the homework question wrong. Me getting frustrated and putting myself down won’t help me, but at the same time, me just letting it go and thinking “everything will be fine, I’ll guess the right answer on the test” will help even less. I’ve been working on trying to take a deep breath, calm my mind and choose the thoughts that will help me in these moments, such as understanding (the subject isn’t the easiest for me), determination (keep practicing and redoing to see what I’m doing wrong) and confidence (knowing that I’m capable of doing it and doing well in class).
And so, little by little, I’ll be able to improve in the various areas of my life, having the knowledge to help me and applying it, not just by luck or chance.
