Wisdom is one of those constructs we tend to feel we understand, yet it is not simple to define and describe.  A definition I found, separate from those in this book, is “Wisdom is having sufficient awareness in various situations and contexts to act in ways that enhance our common humanity” (Bassett, 2011).  I found it helpful to have this definition as I considered this book and writing a review of it.  Mr. Curnow mentions the complexity of the concept of wisdom, and while he clearly understands how helpful a concrete definition can be, it is also clear from his introduction and at various times throughout the book that it is not easy to settle upon one definition.  He addresses this dilemma and explains his approach as including his view, “wisdom is above all manifested in and derives its source from wise people” (p. 9) and the notion that wisdom incorporates an acceptance of claims that it is expected from those who have come to be accepted prima facie as wise.  While Mr. Curnow does not refer to Dr. Bassett’s definition, he does clarify some further details as to what qualifies certain people as wise, and there is some correlation, as he states, “One of the themes that have emerged from recent research is a connection between wisdom and the ability to cope with whatever life throws at us” (p. 9).

          In spite of the author’s careful attempt to organize discussion and examples of wisdom, and my own enjoyment of tales of mythology, the early chapters of gods, goddesses, myths, and legends were probably the most difficult to read.  Some of the stories were familiar and pleasant reading without doubt, but in terms of following the trail of wisdom, I found myself on a challenging hike.  Somewhere in chapter 3, I found the trail better cleared, and I began to enjoy reading the book more, and to appreciate the author’s examples of wisdom as truly representing the concept.  Perhaps this was from becoming familiar with the style, or perhaps the examples in this chapter relating wisdom and history offered something more concrete for my mind.  Truly realizing this wasn’t merely a book presenting discussion of what wisdom is (or is not), but to appreciate the full title, including the subtitle “A History” came during this chapter, and allowed me to embrace and enjoy the examples and discussion more fully.  Having spent some time studying various religions of the world in the past, it was interesting to be reminded of the Upanishads as well as biblical literature, fables and fairy tales. 

          By chapter 9, Wisdom and the Present Day, I was quite comfortable in the book, and found two of the examples particularly interesting.  As Mr. Curnow described the New Age movement as one of the broad representatives of current wisdom affairs, he described Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, who I remember from my childhood.  The author describes him as unorthodox but genuine, and provides an example of a contemporary, T. Lobsang Rampa, who claimed to have a Tibetan lama’s spirit, and Mr. Curnow describes his spirituality, wisdom, and entire story as fraudulent.  I recall Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh’s years in central Oregon, founding a commune, and collecting Rolls Royce cars.  It is interesting to recall he was a critic of socialism, which I suppose is well represented in collecting expensive items for personal use and increased comfort.  Clearly, in spite of Mr. Curnow’s conclusion Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh was “the real deal” (p. 189) is in reference to his pursuit of higher levels of consciousness and not to his pursuit of comfort and Rolls Royces.  To me, this continues to be questionable, but that is another discussion.

          My favorite section of the book is the “Postscript:  A Century of Wisdom.”  In this, the author offers seven pages of short quotes, some familiar, others not, demonstrating wisdom from a variety of different approaches.  These include proverbs and poems, political and philosophical viewpoints, pearls from novelists, dramatists, and humorists.  I found these to be both entertaining and thought-provoking.  As I opened with a quote, a definition of wisdom from The Wisdom Institute, I will close with this from Marcel Proust in the postscript, “We do not receive wisdom.  We must discover it ourselves after experiences which no one else can have for us and from which no one else can spare us” (p. 211).

Reference

Bassett, Caroline (2011).  The Wisdom Institute.  www.wisdominst.org

 © 2015 Margaret Riley

Margaret Riley, PhD, MS, RN. Assistant Professor at Regis University, Loretto Heights School of Nursing.