The Three Way To Wisdom
THE THREE WAYS TO WISDOM
Much of our activities and engagements in life are purposed to towards the experience of Happiness.
Whilst we may wish, want or even will Happiness to happen; we can wisely appreciate that Happiness generally is the result of living in a certain way.
The opposite of Happiness is stress, distress, upset, discontent and suffering. Certainly, much of this unhappiness occurs when we do not act wisely and live with Wisdom.
The wiser we are, then it is likely that the happier we are. So, Wisdom is the fundamental element to help bring about, sustain and maintain our Happiness as individuals, couples, as a community and globally.
If Wisdom is the cause for the result of Happiness, then what is the cause of Wisdom and what even is Wisdom?
For too long we have relegated Wisdom to the domain of ancient philosophers, spiritual teachers, teachings and something that personally might arrive with the process of going grey and getting old.
However, Wisdom is something that any of us at any age can develop, have and use to make life more workable, even wonderful. In fact, the more we use Wisdom, the stronger and more our Wisdom grows.
We could say that Wisdom is a psychological faculty of mind-heart, that expresses in what and how we think, feel, speak and do. The more we do that which is wise the more we become and be wise.
Our ‘doing’ creates and conditions our ‘being’ and our ‘being’ creates and conditions our ‘doing’!
Wisdom as a ‘psychological faculty’ is the result of understanding through knowledge, learning and experience. As the opposite of ignorance, delusion, confusion and self-centredness, Wisdom helps us to take in the bigger picture, see long term, appreciate cause and effect, and can help us decide what is ultimately worthwhile, not just what might feel good for now.
Wisdom allows us to see the Truth; the true nature of things and then choose to act and respond in a wholesome, beneficial way.
The Buddha’s Teachings – the ‘Buddha Dhamma’, is a Wisdom Teaching and Wisdom Practice for realising the true nature of our self, the human condition, the experience of life and
Enlightened Freedom. These Wisdom Teachings direct the mind to Clarity, Calm, Insightful Understanding, Freedom and Peace.
The Buddha’s Three Ways to Wisdom, is a way of developing our Wisdom through:
- Mindful Thought and Contemplation: What is happening here? Why is it so? What supports good and beneficial things and what causes stress and suffering? What can I learn from this situation?
- Mindful Study and Learning: Listening to, reading and learning wise teachings, applying them in our daily life.
- Mindful Meditative Insight: Developing a calm, concentrated mind, then reflecting on the nature of things to develop penetrating insight and understanding (Vipassana).
These ‘Three Ways to Wisdom’ can be used singularly, but if used together become a powerful alliance for deep insight, profound understanding and great wisdom.
The more we have a calm clear mind through practicing Meditation, resourcing understandings from wisdom teachings, and thinking, questioning and contemplating things, we can grow our Wisdom Faculty for creating more ease, joy, peace and Happiness in our Life.
John B.
