Wisdom refers to the ability to make sound judgments and good decisions based on knowledge, experience, and understanding. It involves having a deep understanding of oneself, others, and the world, and applying this understanding to navigate various situations and challenges in life. Being wise often implies being thoughtful, insightful, and aware of the potential consequences of one's actions.
In addition to the standard definition, I have created a framework using WISE as an acronym, weaving together time-honored wisdom from Buddhist philosophy and practical insights from modern psychology. This framework can guide you on what actions to take if you wish to cultivate inner peace.
WISE is an acronym representing Watch, Interpret, Select, and Experiment. Each of these steps encapsulates a key process in navigating life's diverse experiences, challenges, and opportunities.
Watch: Inspired by the practice of mindfulness, this first step encourages us to observe our experiences openly and non-judgmentally. It's about fully immersing ourselves in the present moment, taking note of our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and everything happening in the cognitive cycle.
Interpret: Drawing on cognitive psychology, this step prompts us to make sense of our observations based on our knowledge, experience, and understanding. It invites us to break free from habitual thought patterns that might lead to stress or suffering.
Select: Grounded in decision-making psychology, this phase involves making a conscious choice. After interpreting our observations, we consciously select the most skillful response or course of action.
Experiment: Stems from principles of behavioral psychology, this step emphasizes an approach of exploration and learning. It involves implementing our selected response in real-world situations and observing the outcomes. It's about a conscious engagement with our environment, where our actions serve both as an expression of our choices and as a method of learning more about ourselves and our responses.
The WISE method represents a shift from reactive patterns to a more mindful, conscious, and intentional way of engaging with life. It involves a continual cycle of self-awareness, understanding, decision-making, and growth, promoting an ongoing evolution toward skillful living.
Real-Life Example
Imagine someone receiving a harsh comment on a social media post. Here is an example of what the WISE framework might look like in this scenario.
Watch: Upon reading the harsh comment, the individual begins to feel upset. They notice an instinctual reaction to lash out or to disengage entirely. They take a moment to witness these feelings, recognizing the hurt, the instinct to defend themselves, and the desire to run away from the situation.
Interpret: Next, they interpret these emotions. They understand that their immediate reaction is a defensive mechanism, fueled by their need to protect their self-esteem and public image.
Select: Now, with a clearer understanding of their feelings and thoughts, they make a conscious choice. Instead of responding in anger or disengaging, they decide to address the comment calmly and politely, asking for clarity or sharing their perspective without hostility.
Experiment: Finally, they put their chosen response into action. They write a respectful reply, encouraging a constructive conversation. They then observe the outcome, whether it is a more civil discourse, the feeling of having managed a difficult situation maturely, or the realization that not all social media interactions are worth their emotional energy.
The "Experiment" phase feeds back into the "Witness" phase, forming a loop. As they observe the outcome of their action, they witness their feelings and thoughts regarding the results, whether positive or negative. This feedback helps them to learn, adjust, and prepare for similar situations in the future. It allows the WISE framework to serve as a continual, step-by-step process of growth and cultivation of wisdom. This framework can be adapted to any circumstance that may arise.