Wisdom redux

I have thought a lot about the mentors and guides that have contributed to my growth. From my parents, family, mentors and friends, I have received much.

One of the pearls I received is that “wisdom is where data meets experience.”

I like this frame, because it challenges us not only to learn and to do, but to merge the two into the lens of how we see the world and our place in it.

Despite liking this frame, it is also important to remember that mastery comes from lots of learning and doing: 10,000 hours of practice, according to Malcolm Gladwell. But mastery is not wisdom.

So what are the missing ingredients?

I think that wisdom is a convergent state that is the product of our intellectual, spiritual and personal growth.

We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.

This famous quote by Anais Nin reflects the powerful impact of our perspective and frame.

I think the honing and maturing of our base state of being brings our wisdom.

It also likely the key to life success, happiness and to health.

Maybe it is as simple as the eventual destination of seeing and experiencing the deep unity that exists in our world and with each other (remembering we are all just energy), to feel whole individually and collectively.

Change the way we see the world and each other, with less judgement and fear and with more love and understanding and we gain wisdom to remove the illusion of separation.

Through this wisdom, we evolve our ability to see the world and each other through the lens of love. This helps us develop safety and trust in exploring the bigger frame of our lives and lighting the way for ourselves and others.

Ultimately, love leads to us back to remembering our unity, the wholeness we seek.

Experiencing wholeness leads us back to love and helps us wake up as conscious creators on earth.

As the Persian poet Rumi said, “We are one. Everything in the universe is within you. Ask all from yourself.”

So maybe real wisdom is where knowledge and experience at the human level merges with eternal love and unity.

These are the elements and we are the alchemists that brings us a new home - heaven on earth.

I will end with another quote by Rumi.

You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.

Almost heaven.