Thinking about Wisdom
What is wisdom? How many know? I tried and am still trying. It is a lofty goal. One who has this gift, becomes a seer, a guru, venerated by many, because it is a precious gift not really a skill to become rich.
I am reminded of some ancient seers, like Budhha, Christ and the like they continue to be worshiped and their thoughts inspire even now.
Then there are modern seers, much in demand by the rich and the wealthy, because they can afford to attend and pay for the services they seek. Answers to their queries that puzzle. They normally have the prefix Acharya or Guru (Teacher); Baba or Mahatma (Seer), Maa (mother) and have a full fledged money spinning organization behind them, and they are glooming and blooming because of their wealth earned from donations etc from disciples. I think the original spiritual teacher, well known across the world was Jiddu Krishnamurty, who acquired world wide fame. Many more international names have been added like Eckhart Tolle or Gangaji etc. etc. originating from the west. They are all vendors of wisdom for the populace, which is too eager to lap up, just like singers cine artists, or novelists. Many books are being published under their names and they are like any bestseller.
Should we ignore them, criticize them? I think NO, they are clones of the originals, doing their bit in their time their locale. Fulfilling a purpose, a vacant slot in the present over materialistic society, where lots of people are seeing succor from their sufferings. These modern days 'wise man' are trying to provide their services. They are just like cine artists, actors, singers that provide entertainment for the tired minds, or like best selling authors who quench the literary thirst of millions.
But they must remember the words of Euripides : Cleverness is not wisdom.
And for those aspiring to be such men/women the words of Cofucius: "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."
I want to wrap up this short essay with a poem of William Wordsworth:
The Tables Turned
Up! up! my Friend, and quit your books;
Or surely you'll grow double:
Up! up! my Friend, and clear your looks;
Why all this toil and trouble?
The sun above the mountain's head,
A freshening lustre mellow
Through all the long green fields has spread,
His first sweet evening yellow.
Books! 'tis a dull and endless strife:
Come, hear the woodland linnet,
How sweet his music! on my life,
There's more of wisdom in it.
And hark! how blithe the throstle sings!
He, too, is no mean preacher:
Come forth into the light of things,
Let Nature be your teacher.
She has a world of ready wealth,
Our minds and hearts to bless--
Spontaneous wisdom breathed by health,
Truth breathed by cheerfulness.
One impulse from a vernal wood
May teach you more of man,
Of moral evil and of good,
Than all the sages can.
Sweet is the lore which Nature brings;
Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:
We murder to dissect.
Enough of Science and of Art;
Close up those barren leaves;
Come forth, and bring with you a heart
That watches and receives.
Rakesh Mohan Hallen