Wisdom is one of the fountainheads of meditation. It is the cornerstone of Buddhism, one of the four key aspects of raja yoga in the Hindu/Indian tradition (gyana yoga), and the intersecting point between tribe, earth and self in Native American traditions. Wisdom draws from a combination of life experience and universal mind, and brings forth a clarity and sense of divine purpose that leads to realization and unity. As famed poet, ecologist, Buddhist, Gary Snyder -- one whose life integrates elements of the three above traditions -- once said in an interview, "Everybody is equally smart and equally alive."
That is the comment of a man whose life, thought process and purpose have been clarified and distilled by nearly five decades of regular meditation practice. It also points out the destination of a life path lived in and for wisdom: the outside world becomes less distracting, the mind of heart and intuition take center stage, and the brain becomes a tool to connect all of the pieces into a simple, focused and wise perspective.
Meditation is the practice of wisdom. By sitting in the silence and clearing outside distractions, we are immediately becoming receptive to the rhythms of earth and the universe. Fed by inner perception and intuitive guidance, these rhythms re-connect us with our souls and hearts. They take us away from our workaday minds and the clutter we collect from trying to succeed and be happy in the world. What we "return to" after 30 minutes, or an hour, or two hours in meditation, is a day that appears to be more clear, a purpose for the day that is more defined, an energy within ourselves that is more alive and conscious.
This is the breeding ground of wisdom. Elders in most Native American tribes would teach the young to close their eyes and feel the wind and earth, listening intently for whatever a gentle cottonwood breeze or cool grassy meadow would tell them. They would teach the young to gaze into the sky, to see how immense with possibilities life was, how small the person was physically but how great and infinite the mind could become.
Beyond the natural settings, this teaching was steeped in developing wisdom -- listening to the source of all life, establishing connections between self and Great Spirit (all-that-is), understanding that every person and every observation contains a message, lesson or pattern to be uncovered and applied.
The great Indian master Paramhansa Yogananda had a guru, Swami Sri Yukteswar, who was and is referred to by devotees throughout the world as a "gyanavatar" -- avatar of wisdom. Yukteswar's teaching style was strict to the point of being harsh. His goal was to bring devotees into crystal-clear contact with their inner divine wisdom by stripping away all outer coverings.
This entire line of gurus, from Babaji through Lahiri Mahasaya and Yukteswar to Yogananda, all exhorted their devotees along a central teaching: when in doubt, meditate. Seek conscious contact with God, all-that-is. Or, as Yukteswar often told his disciples, "God."
Yogananda once said of wisdom, "It is not a pumping-in from the outside that gives wisdom. It is the power and extent of your inner receptivity that determines how much you can attain of true knowledge, and how rapidly." When "true knowledge" happens, the momentum of the everyday world shifts in our hearts and minds. Suddenly, such elements as brotherhood/sisterhood, service, connection, devotion, contact with elements and constant striving to fulfill our individual divine purposes becomes the nucleus of our lives.
This often takes some time to happen, but a sure way to bring it along is to follow whatever clear, indisputable guidance you receive in meditation -- whether it be a suggestion on how to approach a project differently, a notion to hang a dream-catcher over your bed, a tip to drive down a side road instead of the main artery, a hint to sit in silence for 15 minutes after meditating rather than jumping up and starting the day.
In fact, sitting silently after meditation accomplishes two things. It leads you into the day more slowly, and it allows the light and vibration of the meditation to soak further into heart, soul and mind. This results in greater perception and decision-making during the day. Which, of course, is wiser decision-making.
Guidance is like a fast-moving thunderstorm. If you feel a few raindrops of intuitive perception and a divine nudging while steeped in meditation, then do nothing about it, the busy world will tend to blow further guidance downwind. If you allow those raindrops to saturate your mind and heart, and proceed into the day with the guidance of divine wisdom and an open heart, you will find a steady flow of guidance available -- and occasionally, a downpouring of inspiration that can lead to something new. If practiced daily, it will change the course of your life.
To meditate with the attainment of greater wisdom as a goal, simply state the issue or feeling on which you would like to receive guidance just prior to sitting in silence. You may want to prepare yourself by stretching, doing a few yoga postures, chanting or deep breathing, so that the body is still and relaxed and the mind and heart ready to receive. In that space, as you prepare to absorb yourself in meditation, ask for the guidance.
Make it simple, as clear as possible, and in the spirit of service to all. If a direct answer doesn't come in meditation, be sure to carry that receptivity into the day, because the answer may hit you in the form of something a person says, something you see, a scent in the air, a plaque hanging on the wall at work -- in an interconnected spiritual world, everything is possible.
In that practice, you will find yourself in what Buddhists call "wise-mind" -- making connections, honoring all living beings, following the dharmic path of right action and right mind. You will also be living in and heading towards what the Bhagavad Gita proclaims as the ultimate reality -- oneness with Brahman, all-that-is. And you will be watching for signs, sniffing the air, studying elements of expression and respecting all people, thus practicing a few Native American tenets.
It all leads to greater wisdom in our minds, deeper wisdom in our hearts.
Bob Yehling is a writer who leads a weekly Ananda meditation group in Tampa, Florida (813) 935-3087.