Wisdom Is Closer Than You Think
Image: Shutterstock/Jorm S
One of the best things about growing old is becoming wise, or so we think. Contemporary scientific research finds that wisdom is not solely for the older among us. Rather, by the time we are in our mid- to late-20’s, our brains are fully wired for it. For most of our adult lives we are inhabited by a deep inner wisdom, unbeknownst to the vast majority of us.
How can this be? And what value does this information have for any of us?
The subject of wisdom is typically confined to religion and the humanities. But scientists are now studying the neurobiology of this complex human quality. They are first defining wisdom as a trait made up of prosocial subcomponents such as (but not limited to) empathy, cooperation, emotional regulation, and altruism. This definition is not the concoction of 21st century scientists, but from millennia of thought and literature. Science then locates these subcomponents in different parts of the brain.
The human brain is fully developed by the time we are in our mid- to late-20’s. Therefore, it must be the case that we possess all the subcomponents of wisdom before we turn 30. This means the majority of adults are already wired to know what’s right for us at a fundamental level. In the classic sense, wisdom is acquired through life experience. This will always remain true. However what if we could begin accessing it more easily and put it to use more quickly?
The path to wisdom is actually quite short if we are open to it. We only need to reach inside, not search outside. But how? Sleep on it? I’ve seen this debunked but there might be something to it. The power of “sleeping on it” is that it ceases rumination (if you can get to sleep).
Sleep is one way to get out of your head. You can also simply move your body. You can stretch or do some sun salutations. You can take a walk, even just around the block. You can meditate or do a body scan. You can cook or clean or garden or knit or make art. You can dance! Anything to get out of your head, the easiest, most immediate method being physical activity.
Perhaps the inner critic is just the mind’s way of getting our attention. What we do once that inner critic rears her head makes or breaks our connection to inner wisdom. Ruminate on the inner critic’s words and the wisdom remains obscured. Gently interrupt the inner critic and the wisdom reveals itself. The key is to cease intellectualization so we may fully act from a place of integrity.
Is the inner critic knocking on your door? Or do you have a difficult decision? Are you confused about how to handle a challenging situation? Do you feel blocked like you can never make the right choice? Get out of your head and into your body by doing something physical. Give your brain a rest and let your prosocial subcomponents band together in peace. With patience the answer or message you seek should emerge.
Let’s Try Something
The next time you are faced with a challenging decision set your thoughts aside and do something physical. It needn’t be taxing. You can simply wash some dishes or, better yet, find a quick way to access nature, for instance stretching or weeding in your backyard. Let some time pass and see what comes up for you.
If after some time your answer still feels elusive continue going back to your body. Note whether the quality of your thoughts changes in any way after physical activity. Try journaling through this to identify any patterns. Keep playing and experimenting with the idea that our inner wisdom is readily available when we stop bloody thinking. We are only at the cusp of this new understanding so there is still much to learn.
I’m now offering a mini coaching plan called Refresh to get you started.
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Ready for a Refresh?
In creativity and compassion —