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Wisdom Talks

Wisdom, also known as sapience, is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and good judgment to navigate life’s complexities. It is often associated with insight, discernment, and ethics in decision-making. Throughout history, wisdom has been regarded as a key virtue in philosophy, religion, and psychology, representing the ability to understand and respond to reality in a balanced and thoughtful manner. Unlike intelligence, which primarily concerns problem-solving and reasoning, wisdom involves a deeper comprehension of human nature, moral principles, and the long-term consequences of actions.
Philosophically, wisdom has been explored by thinkers from Ancient Greece to modern times. Socrates famously equated wisdom with recognizing one’s own ignorance, while Aristotle saw it as practical reasoning (phronesis) and deep contemplation (sophia). Eastern traditions, such as Confucianism and Buddhism, emphasize wisdom as a form of enlightened understanding that leads to ethical living and inner peace. Across cultures, wisdom is often linked to virtues like humility, patience, and compassion, suggesting that it is not just about knowing what is right but also acting upon it.
Psychologists study wisdom as a cognitive and emotional trait, often linking it to maturity, emotional regulation, and the ability to consider multiple perspectives. Research suggests that wisdom is associated with qualities such as open-mindedness, empathy, and the ability to manage uncertainty. Some psychological models, such as the Berlin Wisdom Paradigm and Robert Sternberg's Balance Theory, attempt to define and measure wisdom through various cognitive and social factors. Neuroscience studies also explore how brain structures related to emotional processing and long-term thinking contribute to wise decision-making.
Wisdom continues to be a subject of interest in modern society, influencing fields as diverse as leadership, education, and personal development. While technology provides greater access to information, it does not necessarily lead to wisdom, which requires careful reflection and ethical consideration. As artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making play a growing role in shaping human life, discussions on wisdom remain relevant, emphasizing the importance of judgment, ethical responsibility, and long-term planning.
Title | Speaker | |
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Hongzhi and the Amazing BeingsSerial: TL-00783 ADZG Sunday Morning, Hongzhi, Book of Serenity, Avatamsaka Sutra, Sandokai, Practice, Buddhism, Wisdom... |
Jan 29 2023 Hybrid |
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Realizing the Buddha Way Together Monkey Mind, Practice, Wisdom |
Jan 2022 |
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Embodied Insight Through Zen Practice Practice, Work, Wisdom |
Jan 2022 |
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Making Our Life A GiftA virtual Dharma talk by Tenshin Roshi for an online gathering of the No Abode community Generosity, Awakening, Wisdom, Enthusiasm, Lotus Sutra, Precepts |
May 08 2021 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Making Our Life A GiftSerial: RA-04561 A virtual Dharma talk by Tenshin Roshi for an online gathering of the No Abode community
Generosity, Awakening, Wisdom, Obstacles, Practice, Effort |
May 08 2021 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Awakening Through Skillful Means Buddha, Practice, Wisdom |
Jan 15 2021 |
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Embrace Present Wisdom and Peace Wisdom, Peace, Practice |
Sep 22 2019 |
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Zen Performance: Living Unified PracticeSerial: RB-02393 Seminar_Zen_and_Psychotherapy Koan, Wisdom, Practice |
Jun 2018 Rastenberg |
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Zen Now: Experiencing Instant PresenceSerial: RB-02805 Seminar Practice, Time, Wisdom |
May 2018 Rastenberg |
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Zen Meditation - Sitting in the Middle of Fierce FlamesYRB-2018-Spring, Wisdom, Time, Buddha |
Apr 24 2018 7 of 7 The Yoga Room |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #1Flower Adornment Sutra, Koan, Book of Serenity, Wisdom, Love, Attachment |
Apr 14 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #1Tathagatagharba, Flower Adornment Sutra, Nirvana Sutra, Buddhism, Delusion, Wisdom... |
Apr 14 2018 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Teaching of the Buddha’s Whole Lifetime Wisdom, Instruction, Perfect Wisdom |
Aug 05 2017 PM |
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Prajna Paramita, the Lovely, the HolyUngraspable nature of all phenomena; perfect wisdom understands dependent co-arising; non-abiding in any state. Perfect Wisdom, Transmission, Compassion, Dependent Origination, Perfect Wisdom,... |
Jul 08 2017 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Prajna Paramita, the Lovely, the Holy Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Nirvana |
Jul 08 2017 AM |
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Engaging Minds: Zen and Cognitive HarmonySerial: RB-04045 Seminar_Awareness,_Consciousness_and_the_Practice_of_Mindfulness Practice, Wisdom, Consciousness |
Jun 2017 Rastenberg |
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Bridging Breath and Timeless AwarenessSerial: RB-03723 Seminar Breath, Wisdom, Practice |
Nov 2016 Hamburg |
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Embodied Perception in Zen MeditationSerial: RB-03725 Seminar Practice, Wisdom |
Nov 2016 Hamburg |
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Since You Cannot Waste Time, Don’tWisdom, Karmic Consequences, Consciousness, Rumi, Karmic Consequences, cognitive... |
Oct 08 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Awakening Through Detailed ObservationSerial: RB-03924 Sesshin Practice, Wisdom, Samadhi |
Oct 2016 Johanneshof |
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Dynamic Minds, Living SpacesSerial: RB-03925 Sesshin Consciousness, Time, Wisdom |
Oct 2016 Johanneshof |
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Zen Awakening Through Active AttentionSerial: RB-04065 Seminar_Weaving_Our_Own_History Practice, Wisdom, Japan |
Oct 2016 Kassel |
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June 19th, 2016, Serial No. 04296 Time, Consciousness, Wisdom |
Jun 19 2016 |
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Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Part 10Generosity, Wisdom, Compassion, Compassion, Consciousness, Samadhi |
Dec 12 2015 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Part 9Compassion, Ceremony, Consciousness, Karma, Compassion, Wisdom |
Nov 14 2015 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Zen Software for Human DevelopmentSerial: RB-03131 Talks Wisdom, Buddhism, Practice |
Aug 12 2015 Crestone Zen Mountain Center |
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Zen OS: Installing Human CompletionSerial: RB-03132 Talks Wisdom, Breath, Stillness |
Aug 2015 Crestone Zen Mountain Center |
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Transformative Intention: Living Zen PreceptsSerial: RB-03561 Ordination Precepts, Buddhism, Wisdom |
Jun 2015 Johanneshof |
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Engaging Deeply with Zen ExperienceSerial: RB-03713 Seminar_Attentional_Awareness Wisdom, Consciousness, Practice |
May 2015 Rastenberg |
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January 22nd, 2015, Serial No. 04202 Emptiness, Practice, Wisdom |
Jan 22 2015 |
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Good Friendship of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Pain |
Dec 09 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Good Friendship of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Consciousness |
Nov 25 2014 The Yoga Room |
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October 27th, 2014, Serial No. 04165 Bodhidharma, Breath, Wisdom |
Oct 27 2014 |
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Zen Meditation as the Bodhisattva PreceptsCompassion, Wisdom, Precepts, Precepts, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Bodhisattva Precepts,... |
Oct 11 2014 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Embodied Awareness: The Depths of MindfulnessSerial: RB-02213 Sesshin Practice, Practice Period, Wisdom |
Oct 2014 Johanneshof |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Practice |
Aug 07 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, true dharma, Wisdom |
Jul 24 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Practice |
Jul 17 2014 The Yoga Room |
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The Sound of the Valley Stream and the Color of the MountainPerfect Wisdom, Non-duality, Intimacy, Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom |
Jul 12 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Time |
Jul 10 2014 The Yoga Room |
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July 3rd, 2014, Serial No. 04139 Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Precepts |
Jul 03 2014 |
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Fayen’s Good Friendship Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Buddha |
Jun 07 2014 PM |
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Openness and Wisdom Through Friendship Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Practice |
May 10 2014 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Study |
Apr 24 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Consciousness, Wisdom, Bodhisattva |
Apr 17 2014 The Yoga Room |
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I always think of Hunan in Spring Bodhisattva, Wisdom, Consciousness |
Apr 12 2014 |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Silence |
Apr 10 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Suffering, Wisdom |
Apr 03 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Exploring Consciousness and Realizing WisdomExploring consciousness with the aid of Buddha's teachings is a path to discovering and realizing deep, liberating Wisdom. Consciousness may be experienced as confining and confusing; at the same... Perfect Wisdom, Consciousness, Wisdom, Book of Serenity, Demons, Enemies, Karmic... |
Mar 23 2014 8 No Abode Hermitage |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Practice |
Mar 20 2014 The Yoga Room |