The Exemplar exists to show the traveler what is possible.
If you are lucky enough to find a wise man or woman don’t be surprised if they don’t dispense wisdom like a coca-cola machine. Wisdom is not the type of thing that can be offered to another person like an afternoon cup of coffee; it is a personal capacity that is developed over time, enriched by life experience and bestowed through spiritual Grace.
Also wisdom is individual and specific to time, place and people. So one traveler’s wisdom or set of instructions and insights might mean nothing or seem like gibberish to another.
Even if a wise one wants to offer you some wisdom, often they are not able. The circumstances have not come together for this to occur.
Usually in the beginning of the journey spiritual travelers are incapable of listening or perceiving because they have not learned, through their own life experience, the capacity to hear or connect with this type of subtle, energy instruction. In our day, we term this readiness to learn; in other times it was called capacity to listen to your heart or soul.
So you ask, why seek out a wise one, if for the most part they are not able to share their wisdom? Because what they can give you is preparation which is necessary for you to develop your own Truth and Knowing. If you are lucky enough to spend time with a wise one, you can learn everything from the smallest of their movements, attitude toward another and the loving energy they emanate.
This capacity to perceive subtle spiritual energy is termed attunement: the wise first show you how to find and listen to your own inner current; this is done by projecting Grace (Baraka) upon the traveler’s heart and then sharing this Grace amongst travelers of the wise one’s learning circle. During this energy exchange and spiritual preparation, individual exercises, prayers, readings and life assignments may also be given to help the traveler learn.
What you can receive from books written by the wise are exercises, preparations and words that inspire. These books may even lift you up and make your heart sing, but this wisdom is not your own song of knowing.
Above all, the wise are an example, a road sign to help you travel, develop along the Path and find your own way Home.
Wisdom is not fine words or advisory statements; wisdom is personal understanding and action which is in accord with the Divine Plan.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Taken from your own words, I think you are an extraodinary example of a wise man.
Most Kind. Rarely think of myself in these terms . . . just sharing the ‘radio station’ that is in my head. Again, thanks for your comments.
in learning to do addictions counseling, i was told that if a person is ready for sobriety, nothing i do will be wrong; however, if a person is not ready for sobriety, nothing i do will be right – it strikes me that a person of wisdom is in the same position with various types of “seekers”!
By the way, i’m starting to overcome the pneumonia i’ve had since the Sat. before Valentine’s day! j/L “Granny” Matrika / Rolling Buffalo Woman
Good to hear from you and sorry that you have been ill. Pneumonia is a tough get over; I’ve had it multiple times and it really tires you out. Hope you health improves.