When I decided to write my first essay for the Dedicant Program on “wisdom”, it seemed like an easy choice. After trying to get the words out of my head for a few weeks, I realized that “wisdom” was not as easy of a topic as I had originally thought. When I came to a blank for several days, I decided to pose a few questions regarding wisdom to an internet forum community. The results were, to say the least, interesting.

Other’s views of wisdom were as varied as there were people. Some became very protective of their opinions, for lack of a better description. My goal in posing the questions, was to gain insight into the minds of other people, that I respected, to see how many would declare themselves “wise”. I was not surprised to discover that even wisdom itself can lead one to defend its very existence. I came away with the realization that, to define it, destroys it. Therefore I feel it fits neatly into the category of remaining for me, undefined!

I can only give my thoughts on what I perceive to be wisdom in others. We would all like to feel we are wise. However I often do not. I know I have had life experiences that have afforded me the opportunity to gain knowledge and that knowledge, if used “wisely” could assist me in gaining wisdom. This is an area though, that I feel is always open for growth. To believe otherwise, truly does diminish ones own wisdom.

I was having a nice meal at a restaurant last night with my fiance’ and granddaughter (who is 7 years old). I had once thought her to be wise beyond her years, wiser than myself in many ways. But in studying her last night, I realized that most of her “wisdom” is mocking the wisdom of others. Sure this will eventually throughout her lifetime help her to grow in many ways, this is how children become mature adults. But it does not necessarily make her wise beyond her years.

One of the wisest people I have ever known was my ex Tom. I have encountered few people in my life who are as wise as he is. He had a beauty about him that was indescribable. He approached the smallest child in the same manner as the oldest adult. He never assumed someone was stupid, but if they were, he never told them. He merely tried to lead them into a better understanding of things, and did so in a peaceful manner. Like myself, he approached our friends in Nature no differently than he would an individual on the street. He could read a person and within minutes he knew exactly what approach to take to teach them something, or to merely share something that appeared to be simple, yet was so complex. And it was usually something that lead to deep spiritual growth. His compassion was challenged by no other. I remember watching him when the bees would swarm. He calmly got another hive, rubbed it with Peach Tree leaves, got the swarm in the hive and a lot of bee keepers expect they will lose a few bees during a swarm. But he made sure he got every bee. He personally would take the lost ones in his hand and carry them to the hive. But with all of his patience, compassion, love, understanding, knowledge, intelligence, curiosity…..wisdom…others saw him as a retard, freak, idiot……savant. He was autistic and no amount of wisdom could change that, and no amount of beauty in him would make people see him as anything but a wasted genius. It was the whole package I loved so deeply. The one that could remove a migraine with his hands AND the one who laughed at a funeral (because his mind could not process what was happening, so it vividly wandered elsewhere.)

To be truly wise, it is more than knowing complex scientific formulas, reading a lot of books, having a lot of people ASK of you, being admired, being old, being respected. It is so much more and goes deeper I think than any of us could begin to imagine or describe. It is not something that surfaces occasionally. It is embedded inside you during a lifetime…..many. Experiences, knowledge, etc. may continue to improve on what is there. However, as I have seen, those same things can turn wisdom into ignorance. I guess the trick is to figure out how to use those experiences in a positive way and not let them make you lose sight of growth.

In answering one of my many questions I asked of others…I am not wise. I have much to learn in this life. I do feel blessed that I was afforded the opportunity to learn some things from Tom. He made me a better person. A beautiful experience can do that. But if we are strong enough, and allow it to be, a negative experience can lead us to much growth as well. Taking a beautiful peaceful experience and becoming something better as a result…..is easy. Taking a horrible experience and learning from it, becoming something better…is not easy sometimes…..but our strongest growth can be rooted in those experiences.

To always talk and never listen is not wise. Wisdom is continuous growth and understanding that you still have much to learn and will never truly stop learning if you are blessed. It is walking your talk, respecting not only people, but the Earth and every living thing in it. Knowing silent observance will afford you the opportunity to gain more wisdom than having a thousand of your thoughts and questions heard. It is being reserved in speech, knowing when to teach and when to merely point the way, understanding that some things are just better left unsaid.

A friend of mine said “My Gage Canadian Dictionary defines wisdom as “knowledge and good judgment based on experience”. The problem I have with that definition is that some people don’t seem to gain good judgment no matter how much knowledge or experience they have. And other people seem to be born with good judgment, and to exhibit quite a bit of it even before they have a chance to gain much experience (at least in this lifetime). My own definition of wisdom is “knowledge and experience put to good use.“

I agree with this comment. If we cannot grow from our experiences, in a positive way, how can we declare to be wise?

I have encountered “wise” people. There appears to be one thing they all have in common. They either do not know, or choose not to expose the fact, that they are truly wise. It is that beautiful trait that shows they are indeed blessed with wisdom.