What is wisdom?

Immanence, transcendence, and their integration

Wisdom is an elusive thing, for even the wisest of people can fall prey to folly. Sometimes, the wisest may even be a fool in the eyes of the unwise. The trickster archetype demonstrates this, teaching wisdom by acting in questionable and mysterious ways. Wisdom is also not an end state; it requires continual re-application, like a boat adjusting its course as the currents of life shift and turn.

Wisdom is the fruit of a life well lived. This however implies it’s the possession of the elderly. True in many cases, but not all old people are wise. Some are confused, some resentful, some self-centred, prejudiced, or obnoxious. Play your cards right and time and experience may bring you wisdom. But neglect the body and mind, make poor decisions and learn little from them, and no amount of time will wisen you.

Regardless of how you live, experience is the play-realm for developing wisdom. Life’s difficulties and obstacles can become opportunities to grow, adapt, and evolve. You can consciously direct your growth, challenge and test yourself, better understand your limitations, and overcome these where you can. Living with full awareness in your present experience, making sound decisions, learning from everything, and developing your potential through your life’s unique purpose are just some of the ways to develop wisdom.

But wisdom is more than just life experience. It is also access to something beyond all experience.