THE OBSTRUCTION TO HIGHER WISDOM

THE OBSTRUCTION TO HIGHER WISDOM

In elders' hearts resides a higher wisdom that defines their true nature. Even in their youth, they were somehow drawn by an unnamed yet compelling force toward this higher wisdom. They sensed it but didn’t have words yet, but the path, although zig-zagged, felt right for them.

What is higher wisdom?

Higher wisdom transcends mere knowledge or intelligence. It encompasses profound insights into life, human nature, and the universe gained through reflection, self-understanding, and spiritual or philosophical inquiry. That’s the core of the work at the Contemporary Elder Institute.

This wisdom offers a clearer perspective on complex situations, directing elders to make decisions aligned with higher-order values and longer-term objectives.

Higher wisdom lets elders see deeper into the past and further into the future so previously unseen trends and endings become apparent. Elders can see what’s coming. Eldes can see how it is going to end.

Higher wisdom fully understands that whatever exists in time and space is subject to impermanence. They know everything changes. However, these changes cause an underlying emotional and mental reaction. Elders learn to look inside themselves and look at why they are reacting in this way to these changes. Elders practice this self-awareness.

Higher wisdom equips elders to navigate challenges with resilience and emotional stability, understanding that setbacks are to be expected. This understanding, fostered by higher wisdom, empowers elders to face challenges head-on, knowing they have the strength and wisdom to overcome them.

Higher wisdom promotes an elder’s empathy and humility. They understand that everyone shares life's struggles. They listen deeply, recognizing their shared humanity and fostering mutual understanding. This sense of connection, fostered by higher wisdom, allows elders to approach others with understanding and empathy.

Higher wisdom unveils an elder’s higher purpose, imparting meaning and inspiring impactful objectives that enrich both their lives as lived and the lives of others. Elders reveal their higher purpose, their Dharma, by releasing from living past purposes and the identities they needed to fulfill these past purposes. They are free, and their higher purpose is right before them.

Higher wisdom generates a true appreciation for being alive. This obliterates depression, jealousy, and disappointment when they arise. Life as a phenomenon is a rarity in the universe, and elders appreciate they are given this very rare gift. When life is a gift, it is not a burden.

Elders would impart higher wisdom to the world. But alas, there are oppressors to higher wisdom, particularly in the West — information and knowledge - which make up conventional wisdom.

WHEN HIGHER WISDOM IS ABSENT, THIS IS WHAT WE LOSE

Without higher wisdom, people struggle to see the bigger picture or understand complex situations, leading to poor decision-making. [Our government at work.]

Without higher wisdom, individuals have difficulty coping with challenges and setbacks with greater emotional instability. Its absence results in increased stress and emotional turmoil. [This might explain why the suicide rate in the United States is one of the highest among wealthy nations. Last year, 49,476 took their lives. This number doesn’t include self-harm or addiction.]

Without higher wisdom, attaining empathy and a deeper understanding of others is thwarted. Without it, relationships suffer, and people lose compassion and connection.

[This is the trend in our society. Hate and blame are on the rise. We’ve stopped listening to each other.]

Without higher wisdom, individuals have difficulty finding their higher purpose, which would guide them in determining what their lives are about. Without a higher purpose, people feel lost and lack direction. [In our culture, most purposes are media and culturally generated. Higher purpose is self-realized as an attribute of higher wisdom.]

Without higher wisdom, acceptance of life’s uncertainties and imperfections, which leads to greater peace and contentment, is challenging to attain. Its absence results in increased anxiety and dissatisfaction. [Go outside, walk around, look at people’s faces and demeanor, and experience what’s happening for them. It ain’t happiness, joy, satisfaction, and thrilled to be alive.]

Without higher wisdom, profound insights that lead to personal growth and development are difficult to attain. Without it, opportunities for growth and more profound understanding are missed. [The more you understand yourself, the more you understand others and the less of an asshole you are.]

Without higher wisdom, overall harmony and well-being in individuals and communities are absent, leading to conflict, disconnection, and a general sense of unease. [The undeniable condition in which we now live.]

THE BLOCKAGE – CONVENTIONAL WISDOM

If higher wisdom were prevalent rather than obscured by conventional wisdom, the world would experience greater peace, stability, and well-being. As the custodians of higher wisdom, elders could play a crucial role in repairing the world.

Conventional wisdom blockage is best illustrated in the Full Tea Cup allegory.

“A university professor visited a famous Zen master to learn about Zen. He had done a TED talk on Zen, written two books about it, and had a podcast, Zen and the Art of Living.

The master welcomed him and served him tea. The master poured the visitor's cup full and then kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing cup until he could no longer contain himself.

"It's overfull! No more will go in!" the professor exclaimed.

The Zen master calmly replied, "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions and speculations. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?"

Just as the professor's cup was too full to receive more tea, conventional wisdom contains preconceptions, biases, and opinions, blocking the ability to gain insights that lead to higher wisdom. Being open and willing to let go of conventional wisdom is necessary to attain higher wisdom.

Conventional wisdom is the home of the ego.

Approaching new experiences with humility allows for genuine understanding.

Conventional wisdom thinks it knows and doesn’t need to hear from others.

Conventional listens to validate itself, not to discover. [“Tell me something I don’t know, or why should I need to know that?”]

Two quotes sum it up best: Richard P. Feynman, "I think it's much more interesting to live not knowing than to have answers which might be wrong." And Lao Tzu, "To know that you do not know is the best. To think you know when you do not is a disease. Recognizing this disease as a disease is to be free of it".
 
Elders know they don’t know, and that’s their superpower.

A LITTLE DIDDY
Conventional wisdom claims to know,
In comfort’s arms, it won’t let go.
Resisting change it blocks the view,
Of deeper truths, profound and true.
 
Marc Cooper