Good Morning Digital Neighbors, ADD Irregulars, Refugees, and Phamily! This is sort of a reprint from 2023, with some additional edits, comments and observations. It’s one of those TL;DR posts, but some of you may find interest in it. So for those of you tempted to yawn right about now at things religious, I hope to use the various Messianic titles of the given days as a springboard for things more conversational for all—while still being true to the spirit of the day in my own neck of the woods.

Wisdom – I know I mused on about this a few weeks ago as part of the autumn meditations, but we can never possess or ponder on wisdom enough. One can know many things and have little to no wisdom. Wisdom doesn’t require books, videos, podcasts, or even instructors; it takes time and generally a marinating in silence and stillness. Without silence and stillness, we will usually miss those moments of wisdom that grace us. I suppose one can be busy and still stumble into wisdom, but that is the exception and not the norm for me. It is strange reflecting on life and self without being preoccupied with self. Not an easy balancing act for most of us. Silence, stillness, questions posed to the self, the slow tumbling of thoughts, a willingness not to be preoccupied with our knowledge, training, expertise, or prideful accomplishment — it often flows from imagination and a malleable and supple will. All of those habits of the heart allow us to be surprised by wisdom and to benefit from her visitations.

Wisdom from on High – I guess that prompts the question for anyone: Is there something or someone higher than self? If there is not, is the only option for one to make themselves the only higher power in their world? I don’t think so. I have met so many good unbelievers, agnostics, and atheists that I assume they have higher aspirations, virtues, or life-compass orientations apart from belief in my favorite invisible friend. ✝ 😊 I often wonder if the creation of imaginary friends for our children didn’t contribute in some way to the more widespread disbelief. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy all lend themselves to some magical workings in life, but this cluster of magical friends who don’t exist seems to beg the question of whether God is not among their ranks. I assume most atheists would tell me yes: Why isn’t God just the primary member of the Santa, Bunny, and Fairy cult—magical for kids, disappointment for adults? I am not a fan of Santa and his amazing friends.

The pointers to the Divine are far more numerous than those concocted for Santa and friends. They resemble what is fascinating and enchanting in the natural world: love, goodness, beauty, home, and the joy that arises out of them. These qualities are attributed to God in all major religions, and they are attributed to the experience of God in all major mystical traditions. When they are experienced in the Numen, they have a purer and more integrated reality than when they are experienced in the natural world.

Divine or no Divine in your life, I pray there is something fascinating, alluring, enchanting, and compelling in your life. I hope it is something more than self-interest or personal power. Go find Marx if you believe those are the only two real pursuits in life—the results are widely known. We all know that the next exercise in communism will be different this time. No wisdom to be found there.

Well, whatever path you are on, my friend, I hope that it affords you a few bits of wisdom along the way and that others are fortunate enough to share them with you. Happy Wednesday, Digital Neighbors & Friends!