#620 What is "Wisdom"?

     Wisdom is far more profound than intelligence or long-term practicality. However, wisdom in it's deepest sense, is seldom considered or discussed these days. Though there are many exceptions, overall we tend to stumble a bit closer to wisdom with age. Many consider themselves wiser than their behavior would suggest. Wisdom is complex - perhaps the most profound, critical concept we have.
     Wisdom is the highest human goal, the most evolved way of being. The major religions have been called "wisdom traditions", though the vast majority of both clergy and their followers have minimal knowledge or interest in wisdom. Only a small minority of monks and mystics devote their lives to a disciplined practice of intentional self-transformation towards "sainthood", "enlightenment" ie wisdom.
     Wisdom is “a developmental process involving self-transcendence. Self-transcendence refers to the ability to move beyond self-centered consciousness, and to see things as they are with clear awareness of human nature and human problems, and with a considerable measure of freedom from biological and social conditioning. This ability to move beyond a self-centered perspective is certainly an important component of wisdom. Consistent with this idea, … transcending the self is needed to move beyond ingrained, automatic ways of thinking, feeling, and acting, and to connect empathetically with the experiences of others.”
       Le TN, Levenson MR. Wisdom as self-transcendence: What's love (& individualism) got to do with it? Journal of Research in Personality 2005; 39(4): 443-457.

     According to Buddhism, all of us can and should do our best to become wise. The clearest description and explanation from this perspective that I’ve found:
       Smith R. “Awakening. A Paradigm Shift of the Heart.” Shambhala, Boston, 2014.
 
     There are many other wisdom paths - one to suit every individual: Aboriginal, Hindu, Kabbalah, Christian, Sufi, & many other fine authors eg Joseph Campbell, Laurence Freeman, Thomas Keating, and Huston Smith.
     Atheists also recognize the critical role of wisdom:
       Sam Harris. "Waking Up. A Guide to Spirituality without Religion." Simon & Schuster, 2014.

     Intentional pursuit of wisdom - by whatever path best suits the individual - is the most effective way to minimize causing suffering to oneself & others, and maximize one’s own & others’ quality of life.

     No path toward wisdom is quick or easy. All require:
          • mindfulness
          • ethical conduct; 
          • progressive letting go of self-centeredness, materialism & other forms of distraction;
          • increasing empathic engagement with others and the environment.

     So why bother to even consider taking such a challenging, life-long journey? Because at some point, everything else will disappoint with respect to feeling: real, authentic, meaningful, valuable, satisfying, joyful, peaceful.
     One would reasonably assume that wisdom occupies a central place in our education system. Sadly, it's virtually absent. Why?

Deepak Kaw   www.dpreview.com

#433 Very Brief Mindfulness Exercise - the Plank

     What makes this a mindfulness exercise, not simply a physical one? Is there such a thing as only a physical exercise, without effecting the mind and emotions?
     First of all, this popular, very effective core-strengthening exercise can be done with straight arms (strengthens the upper body more) resting on the palms of the hands OR (as illustrated) on the forearms (strengthens the abdomen more). Shoes are optional. The body is held straight (as illustrated). What's not obvious, is that all the leg muscles are active, the belly is allowed to move up towards the spine, the shoulder area is intentionally connected by muscles to the chest, sides of the body & back, the neck & jaws are allowed to relax.
     Start with a modest time that you can do fairly easily - perhaps 30 seconds. Repeat this daily for a week, taking Sunday off, then up it to 60 seconds per day, daily, etc. Use a timer to let you know when the session is over. Gradually keep increasing the time (by 30 seconds each week, up to 5 minutes or so) so as to maintain a steady mind-body training effect.

     The mindfulness part: 
     • Welcome all perceptual inputs from your body into awareness. Allow these to FILL awareness COMPLETELY.
     • Notice & gently let go of words, forceful effort, & any concept of time. Awareness does NOT have any ROOM for these (see above).

     You are practicing noticing and letting go of extraneous friction, noise (unnecessary suffering); WHILE stabilizing simple direct contact with what is real. This is profoundly healthy, beneficial, & takes a few minutes per day.
     This may be the easiest, most efficient Mindfulness practice - try it - notice all that may happen over the course of a few weeks. Remember, stay open - everything changes - see: http://www.johnlovas.com/2012/01/intention-shifts.html

http://nbfit.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/plank1.jpg