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If knowledge is
information that comes from the written or spoken word, then how do we
measure the value of wisdom? Perhaps wisdom is more about applying life
experiences and understanding consequences of our choices from
sensitivity beyond knowledge. When we reach for our wisdom, are we
asking for the sensitivity of bringing balance to our own life? Does
wisdom allow us to move beyond the righteousness or wrongfulness of our
own judgment? Does growth toward wisdom allow us to see past our own
rationalization to connect with compassion, empathy, and understanding
the purpose of the light and shadow aspects of life?
What
would it mean if we understood that the purpose of every life experience
is beyond our own judgment, and we realized that life is a Divine
expression? How would we change our behavior if we could experience
ourselves through the shoes of other people? Is it possible that the
purpose of anger and pain is to create a polarization that draws wisdom
into our heart?
Some
of the benchmarks in people moving their life experiences from their
head into their heart include:
- Learning
the wisdom of slowing reactions and sitting with an open heart for
deeper understanding before they respond in a situation.
- Learning
to look at both sides of a coin and allow themselves to evaluate an
experience from more than one place of judgment.
- Making
a mental choice to listen with their heart more than with the ears
of their own ego.
- Understanding
the nature of passion and compassion and finding the right times for
both.
- Commitment
to exploring their emotions and thoughts with every life experience
in order to offer a richer and more profound insight in every
moment.
- Consistently
explore any aspects of their ego parts that create numbness, denial,
distortion and illusions that defend them from the full spectrum of
life.
- Gently
challenging everything experienced by the ego with the compassion of
their heart.
- Learning
to own their own judgment and not project those beliefs onto others
without curiosity and a promise not to take themselves so seriously.
- Living
in the moment and realizing that any experience of life will change
upon reflection.
- Understanding
that every life experience provides a literal opinion as well as
opportunities for deeper realization.
- Knowing
that our clever intelligence is not the source of richness in life.
- Making
a mental choice to remain as undefended and un-proving as possible.
- Learning
that receiving is giving and giving is receiving.
- Realizing
that a tender and kind heart is not a sympathetic reaction, but
rather a soulful choice.
- Teaching
ourselves the art and skill of curiosity as we explore the
mysterious.
- Embracing
the simple truth that our ego is not capable of life without
distortion and the true sense of love for self and others must flow
through our heart.
- To
explore the nature of aggressive or passive anger and realize anger
is only the expression of defending ourselves from the fear and
shame of intimacy.
- Judgment
comes from self preservation and offers the paradox of life and
death for self.
- Wisdom
understands the painful consequences of trying to control other
people’s behavior or beliefs out of arrogance.
- Wisdom
is the place of balance between pathetic and arrogant, righteous and
pity, assertive and submissive, life and death.
May
I offer that the destiny of each journey was divinely created for the
realization and sensitivity for the wisdom of the heart? Simply said,
there is no right or wrong path; there are only the necessary life
lessons that invite each of us into the chamber of connecting with our
own wisdom.
John
A. McMullin, H.C. is the founder of Journeys of Wisdom where thousands
of people have benefited from his intuitive, holistic teachings.
Through the hundreds of classes available and different
modalities offered, attendees have discovered spiritual and harmonious
self empowerment leading to paths of wellness.
John may be contacted by calling 614-888-1240 or visit JourneysofWisdom.com
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