Do not strew me with roses after I am dead,
When death claims the light of my brow,
No flowers of life will cheer me,
Instead, give my roses now.
Thomas F. Healey
What is the definition of wisdom? Well, wisdom can be defined in many different ways. The most commonplace perception of wisdom is, the net of one’s own judgements, decisions and knowledge accrued over their lifetime, which are important to them. For some, it may be a clever, crafty nature of behaviour, to get one over on somebody else in an effort to think they are smarter. Wisdom could be defined as humility. Wisdom could be seen as the ability to explain and demonstrate the faculty of reasoning regarding many topics and areas that are worldly, which affect us on a daily basis. The art of living is another form of wisdom that entails the ability to understand our values and goals that are most important in life, perceiving the dangers and obstacles in the pursuit of those goals. However, for others it may be an understanding of their own path. These people seek out the company of individuals within their surrounding circles as to who will benefit them in their spiritual path and increase the amount of time spent with the select few. Wisdom can be looking for individuals whose company will create increasing inspiration in the path of virtues that they wish or choose to follow. The problem in our lives is that we all have a distorted and very subjective understanding of the concept of wisdom.
Wise people sail through life and they can handle difficult situations. That is not to say they are not hurting or that they are not in pain. Nevertheless, they have wisdom, grace and humility to confront whatever that may be creating the impediment. Therefore, the lack of wisdom is the primary source of problems in our lives. A wise person will always recognises the base line values of their actions. If one is lucky enough to be acquainted with such a person, then following their guidance and advice would be recommended.
To the addict nothing is like a drug,
To the fish nothing is like water
Those immersed in the love of the Lord and saintly values, nothing is like the love for all of the Lord’s creation.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ang 557
Knowledge is the collection of information,
Wisdom, the understanding of knowledge.
Knowledge is the process of mind,
Wisdom, a process of the soul.
knowledge is the breadth,
Wisdom is the depth.
CG Walters
Wisdom is simply not about the accumulation of knowledge but rather, having a rational approach to all beliefs and actions that one may hold or do. A wise person will have absolute clarity of thought with total commitment and balanced emotion. A wise person does not go into the realms of curiosity and unfound beliefs; they will hold back judgements in situations whilst pursuing clarity of thought. A wise person will evaluate an issue that they may have from many different viewpoints and will not repeat actions endlessly that are devoid of thought, feelings and realisation. The actions of the wise will benefit and enhance not only their personal life but also the world at large. We may climb to the top of the rugged peaks of the highest mountains or swim the deepest waters but these actions will not reward us or those around us in the truest sense. In conclusion the actions of the wise are well thought out and substantial in essence.
Remember that true wisdom takes place in the hearts and focussed minds of individuals in the company of those with saintly values and not just by following crowds.
Wisdom requires a warm receptive heart with emotional strength and compassion. A wise person is focussed in reality, truth and is observant and well as reflective. A wise person lives a life of self-awareness possessing insightful intuition. A spiritualist in his wisdom will see a world that is far more subtle beyond the human experience. A wise person realises in the absence of good and kind actions, the path of immorality will become strong and robust. The wise will not revel in ego by taking ownership of their pious activities but rather, cherish the fact, when others enjoy the fruits of their actions. On many occasions our reactions are based upon our emotions. However, the wise at all times will behave in a manner that ensures the existence of harmony.
A story of a wooden Coffin
A farmer got so old that he could not work the fields anymore. Therefore, he would spend the day just sitting on the porch. His son, still working the farm, would look up from time to time and see his father sitting there. “He’s of no use any more,” the son thought to himself, “he doesn’t do anything!”
One day the son was so frustrated by this, that he built a wooden coffin, dragged it over to the porch, and told his father to, ‘get in’. Without saying anything, the father climbed inside.
After closing the lid, the son dragged the coffin to the edge of the farm where there was a high cliff. As he approached the drop, he heard a light tapping on the lid from inside the coffin. He opened it up. Still lying there peacefully, the father looked up at his son. “I know you are going to throw me over the cliff, but before you do, may I suggest something?” “What is it?” replied the son. “Throw me over the cliff, if you like,” said the father, “but save this good wooden coffin. Your children might need to use it.”
A wise person will always think about the consequences of his actions.
We should realise that the ways of the wise are as follows.
He, who understands and does not preach; Reserve his judgments and words; Smooth differences and forgive disagreements; reduces his wit and simplify his purpose; and simply accept the world for what it is.
“Life without wisdom is like a song without melody.”
A child only cries for their own selfish needs, whilst, the wise will cry for the loss and misfortune of humanity.
Where can we get wisdom?
We have not realised or taken the time to appreciate that our holy texts provide wisdom, which can greatly enhance our lives. So therefore, to build our wisdom by developing a relationship with the holy text is a good place to start. Religion has lost its true place in the world by subjective interpretation. The Ten Commandments remain constant in whichever faith one chooses to take a closer look at. Religion for many has become a taboo subject and is stereotyped all too quickly. We need to look at the scriptures without such a heavy, quick to judge heart, be open and receptive to the contents and only then, will we be open to receive the real message. However, sadly, each word in the text is worth millions and millions of pounds yet we pawn those pearls of wisdoms out for a few pennies, which no one really attaches any credence to.
We have fabricated our lives based on our indifferences, which in itself generates many problems for us. We should be encouraged to build our lives by finding the similarities, by finding the attributes in other people and using this as our foundation in our relationships.
Pull the fish all the way out of the water and watch it wriggle in its helplessness. Release it back into the water and watch it glide, watch its perfection. Pull the bird out of the air and it is trapped. Set the bird free and watch it effortlessly soar the heights of the heavens.
We have pulled ourselves away from the values of humanity becoming inadequate human beings. Yet we have the innate ability to attain perfection. Hence, if we can find the wisdom of simply living, whether that be through; saintly and inspired company, our religious beliefs or indeed from our experiences, then, we will discover ourselves ascending the heights of spirituality and effect real change for those around us.
Put simply we must not be afraid, we must be wise. We should remember the gifts that are given to us, are for us to utilise making our lives easier. There exists religious wisdom that dictates we are showered upon with gifts because it makes the Creator happy to see us happy, as His children. Further, religious wisdom will say that whatever we have is the net result of our karmic contributions. Whatever religious belief we may have, our happiness should not be based on the gifts that we have been given but rather with the presence of our faith or Creator in our lives.
‘What makes the child happy. Is it the gifts the parents provide or the fact that the parents are part of the child’s life?’
Baba Jaswant Singh Jee
Wisdom dictates that every discomfort or difficulty we experience, creates another path of discovery to finding our way towards our development as an individual. The disequilibrium assists in understanding the pain in our life, which is effectively, is the manifestation of disorder as a result of the manner in which we live If we eat excessively, we will suffer pain. If we live irrationally, we will suffer pain. In the same way if we speak irrationally, we will suffer pain. Pain is the consequence of our irrational lifestyle, it becomes karmic and it breeds. If we live our life according to saintly virtues then slowly, over a period, our wisdom and understanding will develop. Wise people will have understood this concept and will make a real effort in trying to recognise the source of true wisdom.
“My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. ”
Proverbs 3:21-23
A medical problem cannot be treated by retouching an x-ray of the relevant body part. We will need to address the source of the medical problem. Similarly, a wise person will not gloss his character by deception but will by reflection develop a real deep understanding by which he can become a beautiful person and human being.
The wise will afford respect and empathy to all beliefs systems, realising that the doors to truthful wise living are open in all religions, in all human hearts and emotions. There will be no place for comparisons in their hearts, bearing equal respect to all. The wise realise that from the beginning of the world, religions and beliefs have been generated, evolved and are ever changing. However, the message of love, wisdom, tolerance, compassion etc. have remained constant throughout the passage of time despite the various languages used to spread the message. The wise will respect all messages of love and compassion with similar adoration. The wise realise that all religions teach divinity and not aggression, so therefore, defeating your own faults is paramount, not concentrating on the faults of others, becomes their mantra. Their understanding and actions are like a tree, which provides shade for all, or like the sun, that provides warmth to all without any form of discrimination.
The wise will understand and realise that the essence of happiness and true freedom lies in our spiritual liberation. The wise liberate themselves from all dogmas and preconceived thoughts. They share a unification of spiritual thoughts, are inspired, and offer inspiration way beyond the feelings of “my religion is superior to your religion.” They realise that there may be many religious thoughts and explanations but that all religions are open to different interpretations of only one truth.
When wisdom prevails, love harmony and beauty together create the living altar of the divine in the human heart.
United Humanity.