All The Wisdom You Need

True wisdom is not acquired. Real intelligence is not the measure of how well one comprehends abstractions, solves equations, or memorizes facts. This runs counter to what we encounter in our confused, day-to-day lives as seemingly-separate beings. We are taught to learn things, often by way of memorization. Being able to recall facts from memory is something “smart people” can do. The popularity of game shows like Jeopardy and Who wants to be a millionaire are examples of how highly our deluded selves value this kind of knowledge.

There are many who treat the path of awakening as if it were some kind of mundane intellectual exercise. They learn about concepts like Impermanence or Emptiness or Nonduality, and then they attempt to blanket their experience with these concepts and ponder their significance. However, true wisdom – real intellegence – is the opposite of all that. Cut through the conceptual layers of mind through practice, and all the wisdom you need is available to you. It was there are along. In fact, it just is, period. The source is wisdom (Skt: jñāna) by nature. Recognize the source, and the truth is self-evident. If ultimate truth is your aim, than no amount of conceptualization or philosophizing is going to cut it. You just have to wake up.

Mundane smarts can only get you so far. Don’t worry about trying to wrap your head around paradoxical propositions. Practice until you recognize the source. With recognition comes the dawning of true wisdom.