Hello!
This week, we’re visiting a subject that has been on our minds for thousands of years for philosophers, inspirational leaders, and more recently, scientists. It’s all about a phenomenon we call wisdom. We’re likely the only living creatures that experience it since one of the crucial factors defining wisdom is the capacity for self-reflection. And one of the essential elements in self-reflection, we think, is the ability to experience “self.”
First, we’ll look at a few of the many ways to look at wisdom, from the scientific to the spiritual and inspirational viewpoints. Then, I’ll show you one quick and easy way to contact a source of comfort and discernment that already exists inside of you, just waiting to be used. It’s called your Voice of Wisdom!
I recommend that anyone interested in a thorough study of wisdom read a relatively recently published book, “Wiser: The Scientific Roots of Wisdom, Compassion, and What Makes Us Good” by Dilip V. Jeste and Scott Lafee. They look at wisdom through scientific lenses and present a number of essential components of wisdom taken from neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy. They argue that we revere wisdom because of its beneficial effects not only on the individual but also on the society within which that individual lives.
According to their research, wise people:
- Display empathy, compassion, and fairness, acting in ways that benefit others and society.
- Manage their emotions effectively, especially under stress. This includes the ability to control basic impulses, as well as understanding others’ feelings.
- Think deeply about their choices, considering long-term effects and acknowledging their limitations.
- Accept life’s uncertainties and are open to changing their opinions based on new evidence.
- Offer insightful advice reflecting a deep understanding of human nature and social dynamics.
- Despite uncertainties, make timely decisions using the available information.
- Have a deep awareness of their own strengths, weaknesses, and biases.
- Appreciate different viewpoints, fostering better communication across diverse groups.
- Have a guiding sense of spirituality or purpose.
The philosophers Aristotle and Confucius have some well-known sayings that offer timeless insights into the nature of wisdom. They emphasize self-knowledge, humility, empathy, and the balance of learning and thinking. For example:
Aristotle
- “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
- “The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.”
- “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
Confucius
- “By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”
- “Wisdom is rooted in watching with affection the way people grow.”
- “He who learns but does not think is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.
Finally, The Dalai Lama shares some profound insights on wisdom that blend Buddhist teachings with practical advice for modern life. Here are some of his key perspectives on wisdom:
- Knowing we are all connected and share the human experience so that we respond with empathy and compassion.
- Seeing that there are two types of wisdom: the wisdom that arises from hearing or learning from others and the deeper wisdom that comes from personal reflection and meditation, along with ethical living and moral integrity.
- Wisdom, when put into practice, becomes a powerful tool for solving everyday problems and enhancing personal and societal well-being. The Dalai Lama firmly believes that wisdom is the key to a more peaceful and just world.
There’s also a substantial body of literature that links wisdom to aging, suggesting that as we grow older, we often develop greater wisdom. As most people age, they encounter a wide range of life situations, which can lead to deeper understanding and better emotional regulation – qualities associated with wisdom, according to Jeste and Lafee above.
Many philosophical traditions, including those of the ancient Greeks and Eastern philosophies, also regard aging as a path to greater wisdom. The idea is that life’s challenges and experiences provide opportunities for reflection, learning, and moral growth.
Finally, some recent research in neuroscience has suggested that changes in brain structure and function over time can support the qualities associated with wisdom, such as empathy, compassion, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills.
Are you willing to discover, and use, your Voice of Wisdom?
It’s a journey that’s open to everyone who is willing to look within at some sterling qualities they possess. For you, it will fundamentally shift how you view yourself and your innate ability to generate wise solutions to life’s decisions.
We all can surface and use this quality that exists inside of us. For decades, I’ve coached people to summon that voice in order to use it to produce results that are beneficial not only for them but also for their friends, family, work, and larger communities around them.
A significant transformation occurred for me when I learned how to listen and respond to my Voice of Wisdom. Earlier, I told you about the various ways of looking at wisdom because I want you to get a sense of what it’s like to live a life that is informed or illuminated by wisdom. In Part 2, I’ll tell you all about the lesson I learned by refusing to listen to my Voice of Wisdom. Let me have learned all those lessons for you! You no longer have to be dismayed by the amount of decisions you need to make every day.
Your Voice of Wisdom is always with you. It’s a sweet voice – sometimes a bit humorous. People have reported that their Voice of Wisdom emanates from their heart area, whereas the anxious voice that they hear occurs in their head. Think of that for a moment: when your heart is fully engaged (not necessarily your emotions because we experience those in our stomach or head), when your experience comes from the heart, you transcend those attitudes, states of mind, and points of view that are uncomfortable.
Our next article, Part 2 of this two-part series, will give you a way to discover and then use your Voice of Wisdom. All you will need is a heart that is willing, along with a piece of paper, a pen, and an index card, preferably 4×8 inches or thereabouts.
Until that time, rest in the knowledge that you already have within you the means to create the life you love to live! All that’s needed is for you to see how to activate it!
