6 Ways to Cultivate Inner Wisdom

Learn about the complex concept of wisdom, its benefits for well-being and society, and how we can develop more of it.​

Wisdom isn’t so easy to define. Researchers still debate its meaning and haven’t agreed on a universal definition. But most would agree that wisdom goes beyond knowledge or information. It involves a grasp of life's complexities, nuances, and interconnectedness. It's the ability to see the bigger picture, the underlying patterns, and the consequences of choices.

How to Cultivate Wisdom

According to one study, the development of wisdom depends upon six interrelated factors (Brown, 2004):

1. Self-Knowledge

This component involves understanding your strengths and weaknesses and having a sense of purpose, a clear understanding of your morals and ethics, and the ability to be authentic regardless of circumstances. In other words, it’s about being true to yourself.

2. Understanding of others

Wisdom is also about emotional intelligence. It involves understanding the feelings and perspectives of others and making decisions that consider the well-being of everyone involved. The ability to see things from multiple perspectives, and to take into account the needs and feelings of others, is essential for making wise decisions that benefit not just ourselves but also the communities we are part of.

3. Sound judgment

Wisdom is about seeing beyond the surface and recognizing the complexity of situations. It's the ability to analyze situations from multiple perspectives, identify the core issues, consider consequences, and make sound decisions based on that understanding.

4. Life knowledge

While not exclusive to older people, wisdom often accrues through experience, both positive and negative. This involves reflecting on past events, learning from mistakes, and understanding the realities of life.

5. Life skills

Wisdom is not just theoretical; it involves the practical application of knowledge and insights to navigate real-world challenges. This means the ability to balance multiple roles, manage your time and prioritize effectively, handle daily issues, overcome barriers, and adapt to new challenges.

6. Willingness to learn

A wise person recognizes the limitations of their own knowledge and understanding and is open to learning and growing throughout their life. This includes a sense of humility and the willingness to reconsider their views in light of new information.​

Why Is Wisdom Important?

Wisdom is important because of its benefits both for the wise person and for society (Jeste et al., 2019). First, on a personal level, “research suggests that wisdom is linked to better overall health, well-being, happiness, life satisfaction, and resilience” (Jeste & Lee, 2019). In addition, studies show that wisdom contributes more to well-being than intelligence and reasoning abilities do (Grossman et al., 2013). That may be partly because wise choices often lead to better outcomes, both personally and professionally.

Some studies suggest that wisdom is associated with a longer life. The positive effects of wise decision-making, emotion regulation, and healthy lifestyle choices may contribute to a longer and more fulfilling life.

Because wisdom includes compassion, concern for others, and ethical choices, it’s also important for society. And because wisdom includes ethical decision-making and the ability to see situations from the perspective of others, it fosters fair and effective leadership. By balancing knowledge with understanding, wisdom prevents impulsive choices and cultivates long-term vision, paving the way for a more resilient and thriving future for all.

In Sum

Wisdom can be a compass that guides us through the complexities of decision making and interpersonal relationships. It’s not merely a collection of knowledge but a dynamic interplay of experience, empathy, and discernment.

In addition, it’s those life complexities and challenges that lead to the development of wisdom. So the next time you’re dealing with a difficult situation or a big change, take some time to reflect on what you’ve discovered about yourself and about life. Remind yourself that by adapting and learning from these experiences, you’re cultivating wisdom. And the wisdom you’ve gained makes you better equipped to handle the next big thing life throws at you.​

References

●     Brown, S. C. (2004). Learning across the campus: How college facilitates the development of wisdom. Journal of College Student Development, 45(2), 134–148.

●     Grossmann, I., Na, J., Varnum, M. E., Kitayama, S., & Nisbett, R. E. (2013). A route to well-being: intelligence versus wise reasoning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 142(3), 944.

●     Jeste, D. V., & Lee, E. E. (2019). Emerging empirical science of wisdom: definition, measurement, neurobiology, longevity, and interventions. Harvard Review of Psychiatry, 27(3), 127.

●     Jeste, D. V., Lee, E. E., Cassidy, C., Caspari, R., Gagneux, P., Glorioso, D., . . . & Blazer, D. (2019). The new science of practical wisdom. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine, 62(2), 216.