You say that “there are three ways to gain wisdom-reflection, imitation, and experience.” There is a fourth, much deeper way: the practice of Vipassana meditation, the non-sectarian technique taught by the Buddha. Human beings, like everything else, consist of minute particles which arise and pass away with great rapidity, no continuing substance, no “I, me, mine,” nothing to cling to. Many human problems arise from ignorance of this reality. If we examine ourselves at subtle levels, we find a flow of sensations, and that we react to these sensations as good, bad or neutral, which turns to craving and aversion. This is the source of disharmony within and between humans. When you learn to observe these sensations with equanimity, you can lead a peaceful, harmonious, productive life, good for you and good for others, whether or not you adhere to a religion. And you will be better placed to deal with whatever issues arise.
On Online Opinion, JP said that “If a person is an atheist, then it is hard to even make sense of the notion of wisdom.” I’m an atheist; I think that whether or not there is a God or gods, we are responsible for our own choices and well-being. And you are quite wrong about atheists. Since 1973 I have done voluntary work to help others gain the benefits I have had from practising Vipassana meditation.
You say that “there are three ways to gain wisdom-reflection, imitation, and experience.” There is a fourth, much deeper way: the practice of Vipassana meditation, the non-sectarian technique taught by the Buddha. Human beings, like everything else, consist of minute particles which arise and pass away with great rapidity, no continuing substance, no “I, me, mine,” nothing to cling to. Many human problems arise from ignorance of this reality. If we examine ourselves at subtle levels, we find a flow of sensations, and that we react to these sensations as good, bad or neutral, which turns to craving and aversion. This is the source of disharmony within and between humans. When you learn to observe these sensations with equanimity, you can lead a peaceful, harmonious, productive life, good for you and good for others, whether or not you adhere to a religion. And you will be better placed to deal with whatever issues arise.
On Online Opinion, JP said that “If a person is an atheist, then it is hard to even make sense of the notion of wisdom.” I’m an atheist; I think that whether or not there is a God or gods, we are responsible for our own choices and well-being. And you are quite wrong about atheists. Since 1973 I have done voluntary work to help others gain the benefits I have had from practising Vipassana meditation.