The ability to apply universal principles to particular situations is something we all have.
This ability is innate in all human beings. We see children learn, at a very early age, applying principles to situations to make choices. The minds innate choice is designed to gratify the individual.
Examples of universal principles are: "Telling lies will get me into trouble", "If I am a good person I will go to heaven", "I will succeed if I work hard", "It's better to be honest than dishonest".
Learning wisdom is simply learning the applicability of universal principles to various situations and see their efficacy and impact on individuals and societies.
In the case of an individual, the set of Universal Principles used are in fact that person's beliefs. The individuals choice of actions (intent) reflects the beliefs. Actions along with the intent reflect the persons experience.
The first prerequisite for being wise, is the awareness of one's own Universal Principles. The relationship of various universal principles between one another and the impact of those principles on one's own life. Applying and testing these principles in ones life makes one wise. This is why most wise people are self-actualized as defined in the humanistic philosophies.
The second, prerequisite is the ability to abstract universal principles out of the environment. Ability to critically think about the rules, knowledge, conditions, theories, proverbs that make the world what it is. This is the reason why wise people are very curious and open and usually well read.
To learn to be wise, start looking inside and outside of you.
2 comments:
Very fine and enjoyable.
Poet Mohit.K.Misra author of Ponder Awhile
http://religiouspoems.blogspot.com
Great stuff here. I like your thoughts on habits (actually referring to your second post there). It's interesting how all the great disciplines like yoga, tai chi, even mainstream religions stress how awareness can come by conscious actions. Jordan (All Things Stone)
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