Judging a Book by Its Cover

I think there's a saying, "Berguru dengan buku adalah umpama berguru dengan syaitan" right?

I think it means we are advised not to choose to gain knowledge solely by reading books but we need to get ourselves taught by knowledgeable people as to avoid misinterpretations and wrong understandings.

Well, I beg to differ. I mean, I'm not against the traditional way of learning and teaching, but there are instances whereby self-reading a book is more powerful than any human interactions. We'll be more empowered and less disheartened.

Let me relate my experience to better illustrate my point. I was going through a rough patch in my life. One that made me question my own dignity and integrity. One that made me, a training counselor, to be counseled. One that nearly shattered a a kind man's dreams. One that pushed me to the edge of the cliff. One that nearly tripped me and left me sinking in the deep sea.

There were lots of questions to be asked. Why am I involved in it? Whom should I confide in?

For the latter, the answer is definite. I can't talk to anyone. That's how taboo the issue is. At least I can't talk about it to anyone that I know personally. I'll lose face. That's why I chose counseling.

At this juncture, I also turn to self-help books. Reading those, inexplicably made me feel understood, assured and safe. Unlike human beings, books don't judge. You can choose to accept or discard 'advices' given to you without feeling any guilt. You can choose to feel inspired or unimpressed by the 'advisers' without offending anyone.

And most importantly, unlike human beings, books will never turn its back from you. It will never refuse you. It will never clam itself shut on you. It will never show disinterest in you.

Maybe that's why reading the Quran can be soothing to the soul. Not that I'm putting Quran in the same level as self-help books, but I think it works the same way with regards to therapeutic reading.


~to cross the line might be the way across~