Spirituality called wisdom

Wisdom is not like knowledge.   One can read all sorts of books, and take many examinations that test one's aptitude for doing tests, and get degrees from the best Universities and have no wisdom. Wisdom is acquired by practicing balance in a tipsy topsy world and sanity in the face of insanity.  Wise people seek justice  when confronted by inequities and outrages, and become peacemakers in the midst of conflict and violence.

Wisdom is learned by people who take their life work seriously, not because it will look good on a resume, and allow them to be noticed by the movers and shakers, but because this is the work that they have been given, and honest work is an expression of an honest person.

Thoreau said he went to the woods because he wanted to learn what the woods could teach him about living.   But it is important to note, that he went back to society,  he re-engaged in the world.  And when the time came to choose between conformity to an unwise war, or to wisely stand on principle--Thoreau choose to take a stand.  We judge the wise one not by the seeking but by the doing.

Wisdom not knowledge is what we need in our leaders.  I am less interested in how many facts the leader can conjure up, I am more interested in the leaders ability to laugh at themselves. We have seen the consequences of unwise leaders in recent years.  The present incumbent of the oval office has a degree from Yale, and another one from Harvard.  He got good enough grades for all that matters.  He is clearly an accomplished school goer.  Yet,  we hesitate to call him wise.  We have unwise leaders in abundance,  so I can don't have to pick on one party.

Wise leaders do not introduce rapid and violent change into another a society and then seem dumfounded when that society resists their well intended invasion.  Wise leaders do not lie,  and manipulate their constituents,  and then become disappointed when their supporters turn away.  Wise leaders do not demonize their opponents and then wonder why the public thinks that they will do anything to win.

Wisdom is acquired not from experience,  not tenure of doing the same thing over and over. there are many so called experienced functionaries who continue to be fools,  or  unthinking bureaucrats. No wisdom arises not from longevity of activity , but from the awareness brought to practice.

Wisdom is a set of spiritual quality and a spiritual practice, and like all spiritualities it is acquired by conscious practice, such as holding oneself accountable to standards, by doing honest work for the sake of honest work, by caring for the earth and her creatures because the earth and other creatures have cared for you.  Wisdom is recognizing that if we would have change in the world,that we must be the change we seek.