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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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Wisdom in Practice Through ZazenSerial: RB-03085 Online-Talks_Paramitas Wisdom, Practice, Zazen |
Jul 24 2022 Johanneshof |
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Embodied Insight Through Zen Practice Practice, Work, Wisdom |
Jan 2022 |
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Realizing the Buddha Way Together Monkey Mind, Practice, 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 Zoom |
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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 25 2018 7 of 7 The Yoga Room |
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April 14th, 2018, Serial No. 04428 Buddhism, Delusion, Wisdom |
Apr 14 2018 |
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April 14th, 2018, Serial No. 04429 Wisdom, Love, Attachment |
Apr 14 2018 |
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August 5th, 2017, Serial No. 04389 Wisdom, Instruction, Perfect Wisdom |
Aug 05 2017 |
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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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July 8th, 2017, Serial No. 04379 Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Nirvana |
Jul 08 2017 |
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Zens Dance of Mindful PresenceSerial: 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, Name, 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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Dynamic Minds, Living SpacesSerial: RB-03925 Sesshin Consciousness, Time, Wisdom |
Oct 2016 Johanneshof |
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Awakening Through Detailed ObservationSerial: RB-03924 Sesshin Practice, Wisdom, Samadhi |
Oct 2016 Johanneshof |
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Zen Awakening Through Active AttentionSerial: RB-04065 Seminar_Weaving_Our_Own_History Practice, Wisdom, japanese |
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 |
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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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December 9th, 2014, Serial No. 04185 Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Pain |
Dec 09 2014 |
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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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July 24th, 2014, Serial No. 04146 Perfect Wisdom, true dharma, Wisdom |
Jul 24 2014 |
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July 17th, 2014, Serial No. 04143 Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Practice |
Jul 17 2014 |
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Wisdom Beyond Thought and Friendship Perfect Wisdom, true dharma, Wisdom |
Jul 12 2014 |
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July 10th, 2014, Serial No. 04140 Perfect Wisdom, Doubt, Wisdom |
Jul 10 2014 |
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July 3rd, 2014, Serial No. 04139 Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Precepts |
Jul 03 2014 |
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June 7th, 2014, Serial No. 04134 Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Buddha |
Jun 07 2014 |
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April 12th, 2014, Serial No. 04125 Bodhisattva, Wisdom, Consciousness |
Apr 12 2014 |
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April 10th, 2014, Serial No. 04124 Perfect Wisdom, Silence, Wisdom |
Apr 10 2014 |
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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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March 20th, 2014, Serial No. 04113 Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Practice |
Mar 20 2014 |
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March 1st, 2014, Serial No. 04111 Name, Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom |
Mar 01 2014 |
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March 1st, 2014, Serial No. 04112 Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Ceremony |
Mar 01 2014 |
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Compassion Through Zen WisdomSerial: RB-02854 Seminar_The_Practice_of_Compassion Posture, Compassion, Wisdom |
Mar 2014 Johanneshof |
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Wisdom Embodied Through PracticeSerial: RB-03795 Practice-Week_The_Practice_of_Wisdom Time, Practice, Wisdom |
Mar 2014 Johanneshof |
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Wisdom in Interconnected EmptinessSerial: RB-03797 Practice-Week_The_Practice_of_Wisdom Wisdom, Time, Practice |
Mar 2014 Johanneshof |
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Manjushri's Dance of Dual Wisdom Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Manjushri |
Jan 23 2014 |
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Friendship as the Path to Enlightenment Wisdom, Name, Mindfulness |
Jan 22 2014 |
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January 19th, 2014, Serial No. 04099 Perfect Wisdom, Enlightenment, Wisdom |
Jan 19 2014 |