I Wish Humans Had More Wisdom Forum & Chat Board | What is Wisdom? Who do you consider Wise?

 What is wisdom? Who do you consider to be wise? 

Wisdom is the ability to know that you know essentially nothing. It is the capability for man to understand that nothing and everything is certain. To constantly change and grow and evolve from within and hope that it spreads outwardly.

Ignorance is the inability to learn, to feel like one is done with learning and refuse to change or learn more.

Enlightenment is the encompassing understanding of all of existence, compassion, and is beyond wisdom or ignorance.

I have a vision, a personal belief. That the universe is one child's large drawing. Each of us has a tiny magnifying glass. That is how we view the world is with our little glass...one little spec at a time. When we look back at the drawing, it's all a blur...but what we don't know is that...we have all become so nearsighted, we cannot see the whole picture. When we do, we shall be enlightened.

I'm not sure I have enough of it to really know just what it is, lol, but I sure like what TG had to say!

Who do I consider to be wise?  Without listing names, I guess I would have to say those people whose ideas I have come across that make me go, "Hmmmmmm yeah!  That's it!!!"  Those ideas and thoughts that make my intuition and inner sense hum with excitement and a feeling that 'Yes! This is it.  This makes perfect sense."  Or even the actions of another who, by example, teach me something of great value and importance in my life.

Wisdom is the ability to know that you know essentially nothing. It is the capability for man to understand that nothing and everything is certain. To constantly change and grow and evolve from within and hope that it spreads outwardly.

Ha! Which means if we are wise we won't be able to pin wisdom down, will we? Here's an interesting article I just came across:

King's Inspiring Imperfection

The life of Martin Luther King, Jr., shows that one does not have to be perfect to maintain a positive and powerful presence in our world.

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) January 15, 2005 -- People tend to celebrate or castigate Martin Luther King, Jr., with moderation conspicuous only by its absence. Most devotees speak of him as though he was perfect, and many detractors speak against him as though he was pathetic.

When they dare speak to each other, they often "dualogue" and demean one another rather than engage in meaningful and mutually edificial dialogue about the extraordinary contributions this ever-so-hu-man of faith made to the Black struggle for freedom, power, prosperity, and peace.

That is unfortunate because, as is usually the case with famous people, carefully integrating hagiographic and much less honorific images of King can actually help one form a realistic and even refreshing idea of what he was like and all about. As a Christian, in fact, his life is reminiscent of certain heroes of the faith whose collective claim to fame was that God performed mighty works in and through them despite themselves.

Like ancient Israel's King David, for example, who gained the reputation as a man after God's own heart, Martin Luther King was also subject and susceptible to the same passions, perplexities, personal problems, and poignant contradictions as the rest of fallen humanity.

Yet, like the prophet Elias, when King prayed and protested against the tsunamic flood of injustice unleashed by racist attitudes and actions, it was as though he summoned all of heavenkind as well as humankind in an effort to stymie the deluge of racial discrimination that was destroying the lives of people of African descent.

He was not a saint or just a sinner, but a real hu-man who dealt with deeply personal issues in addition to grave social issues. He was a Black activist who had to cope with his own shortcomings even while working indefatigably to stem the calamitous tide of systemic racism in this country.

Thus, he is a Black American hero not because he had a halo, but because he was strong and sagacious enough to look and lift himself beyond his own faults and respond, as we now know only he could, to our nation's dire need for revolutionary love, respect, equal opportunity, and perennial application of the philosophy of non-violence.

The distinguished journalist Marshall Frady noted that King exhibited "that mystic capability of leaders of genius, at certain critical moments, to suddenly transmute into someone, something, awesomely larger than their ordinary selves." He never would have done so if, like far too many potentially great people, he had been incapacitated by his imperfection rather than driven by his dream. Thankfully, he gave the best of himself regardless of what he or anyone else thought of the rest of him.

It is disingenuous to dismiss him as a charlatan and an insult to his noble ideals to condone his indiscretions. However, it is wise to learn from him to stay humble and keep growing regardless of our accomplishments.

His life also shows that we do not have to be perfect to maintain a positive and powerful presence in our world. Rather than hoard our gifts until we fancy ourselves to have it all together, we can grow even as we go forth doing great things with our lives. Besides, greater maturity and strength of character are good things that come not to those who just wait, but to those who make such progress a courageous, lifetime pursuit.

richard jones (www.iamr.com) is a writer living in Detroit, Michigan.

 Rather than hoard our gifts until we fancy ourselves to have it all together, we can grow even as we go forth doing great things with our lives. Besides, greater maturity and strength of character are good things that come not to those who just wait, but to those who make such progress a courageous, lifetime pursuit.

Words well worth repeating, in my books.  Yeah!  Don't worry too much about making mistakes - it's all part of learning and growing.  Go forth and do great things!  What a great message...

Oh...I guess that came out a little other than what I expected it to.

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." Socrates

I am practicing Aikido (not very good at it, lol) and I've always loved the book The Art of Peace since I was a kid. It has a little bit of zen, a little bit of balance and counter balance...knowing frustration is in the obsession of perfection when perfection is a state of mind...yadda yadda...

The statement alone is really simple, almost oversimplified. I've found peace in understanding that simplicity and contradiction of that statement. Doesn't work for everyone though.

Hi guys,

The Art of Peace is indeed a brilliant book, Tekkamaki, and Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikido, is very very wise, in my opinion. I started a story on his guidance in another forum, with links to an online version.

The Art of Peace (EP discussion)

"The Art of Peace begins with you. Work on yourself and your appointed task in the Art of Peace. Everyone has a spirit that can be refined, a body that can be trained in some manner, a suitable path to follow. You are here for no other purpose than to realize your inner divinity and manifest your innate enlightenment. Foster peace in your own life and then apply the Art to all that you encounter. "

Yeahhh.. And I like the part about applying the art of peace to all you encounter - nice!  I guess you have to do some of the fostering first though, so that you have some to give.  Go forth and do great things, but don't wait around for perfection.  (Just recapping, lol, it helps me to solidify - ha!)

Oh and Pema Chodron, too. When Things Fall Apart was a book that got me through a bit of some tough times. I got a cd of her lectures but she did this weird chewing noise every few seconds so I couldn't get through the whole thing. I loved what she had to say though, she's one of my favorite people to quote.

That sounds like a book I could use, alright...  yet another book to add to the list...  Chapters is loving me!

As per my story, I've started reading "Being Peace" by Thich Nhat Hahn.

Here's a lovely meditation poem I've been reciting to myself...

Breathing in, I calm my body.

Breathing out, I smile.

Dwelling in the present moment

I know this is a wonderful moment.

How great is that?!  Helps to bring me much peace :)

I need to check out that book. Not on the list is Dr. Phil, lol! Any other suggestions? I need summer reading, plus I'm coming down with the flu...rats...

I know MakingPeace will have a whole slew o' them to recommend.. that man has read more books...

I just read Eckhart Tolle's "A New Earth" and it was during reading that book that a whole lot of things changed for me..

I also have read Deepak Chopra's "Book of Secrets" - but at the time I got lost about half way through and didn't really know what it was talking about, lol.  Since then things have changed and I'd like to re-read it sometime.

Right now I'm also reading "Awakening the Buddha Within" by Lama Surya Das.  Just started it, but am loving it so far.

Also have a couple of Chopra books I've bought but haven't gotten to yet: "Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire" and "The Way of the Wizard". 

There's my list - perhaps one of these might interest you..  but definitely check with MP.. I know he'll have a lot of great ones to recommend...

Sorry to hear you're coming down with the flu - take care of yourself, Tek!  Also I like Dr. Phil.. I watch his show and even have one of his books, lol ;)

I have one of Dr. Phil's books too...sshh...But he's not as bad as Maury Povich. Or the psychic lady on Montell.

I have the Happiness series from the Dali Lama. The Art of Happiness at Work was on the office bookshelf along with a few other cheeky titles like "The Smokers Addictionary". I like a good balance, lol. No really, it confuses people, lol.

 Hey guys

I'd recommend some of the same books I've mentioned to Dee. Lama Surya Das, Thich Nhat Hanh, Leo Buscaglia, maybe check out something written by Alan Watts, as well.

Also, Black Elk Speaks.. that's an amazzzing book. 

Another book you guys  might really appreciate is Csíkszentmihályi's "Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience" which points to some of the key psychological factors involved in learning that schools sometimes ignore, the subjectively enjoyable experience of learners that motivates children to put time into learning and mastering something. Whether its drawing, singing, playing piano, reading a book, riding a bicycle, studying math or science- when a person experiences flow they will continue with what they are doing and enjoy the process of self improvement. Skills develop, knowledge develops, and the whole experience is intrinsically rewarding.

Csíkszentmihályi identifies the following as accompanying an experience of flow: Clear goals (expectations and rules are discernible and goals are attainable and align appropriately with one's skill set and abilities). Concentrating and focusing, a high degree of concentration on a limited field of attention (a person engaged in the activity will have the opportunity to focus and to delve deeply into it). A loss of the feeling of self-consciousness, the merging of action and awareness. Distorted sense of time, one's subjective experience of time is altered. Direct and immediate feedback (successes and failures in the course of the activity are apparent, so that behavior can be adjusted as needed). Balance between ability level and challenge (the activity is neither too easy nor too difficult). A sense of personal control over the situation or activity. The activity is intrinsically rewarding, so there is an effortlessness of action. People become absorbed in their activity, and focus of awareness is narrowed down to the activity itself, action awareness merging. 
 

Sports psychologists study this, they call it "the zone"... I think its related to Aikido, and spirituality, to mindfulness and Zen, as well.

Whoa, MP - one of my university professors introduced us to Csíkszentmihályi and his concept of flow...  (still got no idea how to pronounce his name, lol).  I have been thinking about flow and how it fits with spirituality... !!  I'm amazed you have mentioned this.  Is there anything you don't know?? LOL

Also, Tek, when I went to the bookstore I was thinking about that book "When Things Fall Apart", but I couldn't remember the title or even the author.  I was in the Buddhism section and had picked up some TNH books, when suddenly this book 'popped out' at me - all I could see was the spine - before I realized I had picked up the book, then looked at the cover, read the title, and realized it was the book you had recommended!!  It practically lept into my hands, LOL.  I started reading it and love it.  Now I'm reading 4 books at once, with several more sitting here beside me in a pile.. I'm staying away from the bookstore for awhile.

 I have been thinking about flow and how it fits with spirituality... !!  I'm amazed you have mentioned this.  Is there anything you don't know??

Believe it or not, while I used to devour texts on a monthly basis, I havent finished more then 10 books in the last 10 years, so you should be able to catch up with me before too long, lol...

Well, I'm workin' on it.  And I find that a bit hard to believe...

I'll bet you still read a lot.. on the internet.

Thank you for all the recommendations, and all of your insight and ..wisdom.  I do think you have quite a bit of that! :-)