Yesterday I gave the service at the Circle of Gratitude and Love Learning Center. (I offer the service there once each month.) Yesterday's presentation was titled Do the Work. I'm not going to repeat it all, but I did want to offer the main point:
We know that, in our daily lives, we have to put in the work if we want to receive the reward. However, we often forget that there's work to do in our spiritual lives, as well.
Spirituality is not just about reading, meditating, spiritual retreats, etc. It's about taking what we've learned and putting it into practice in our daily lives. It's about applying the knowledge we've received. And that, in a nutshell is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
In Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman explains it in a very practical way. Dan is visiting his mentor Socrates, at the gas station where Socrates runs the midnight shift. They're servicing a customer (back in the day when full service meant something). Socrates is cleaning his side of the windshield while Dan fiddles with his squeegee. Dan asks about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Socrates answers, "you know how to clean a windshield. Wisdom is doing it."
It's just that simple. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. So the question we must each ask ourselves is this: Am I applying the teachings I've learned? Am I doing the spiritual work necessary to advance along the path before me?
I think that most of us - if we are honest - know that there is still more work to be done. I know I've got more to do, and every day I strive to be a better version of myself. Every morning I remind myself of this. Every evening, too. I've found that it helps me to stay focused on what really matters. It reminds me that I have to work hard every day to remain true to my spiritual beliefs.
Yes, knowledge is important. But translating that knowledge into wisdom -- doing the work -- is what it takes to truly live a life with Spirit. So... off to work I go!
In peace,
Lane
We know that, in our daily lives, we have to put in the work if we want to receive the reward. However, we often forget that there's work to do in our spiritual lives, as well.
Spirituality is not just about reading, meditating, spiritual retreats, etc. It's about taking what we've learned and putting it into practice in our daily lives. It's about applying the knowledge we've received. And that, in a nutshell is the difference between knowledge and wisdom.
In Way of the Peaceful Warrior, Dan Millman explains it in a very practical way. Dan is visiting his mentor Socrates, at the gas station where Socrates runs the midnight shift. They're servicing a customer (back in the day when full service meant something). Socrates is cleaning his side of the windshield while Dan fiddles with his squeegee. Dan asks about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Socrates answers, "you know how to clean a windshield. Wisdom is doing it."
It's just that simple. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. So the question we must each ask ourselves is this: Am I applying the teachings I've learned? Am I doing the spiritual work necessary to advance along the path before me?
I think that most of us - if we are honest - know that there is still more work to be done. I know I've got more to do, and every day I strive to be a better version of myself. Every morning I remind myself of this. Every evening, too. I've found that it helps me to stay focused on what really matters. It reminds me that I have to work hard every day to remain true to my spiritual beliefs.
Yes, knowledge is important. But translating that knowledge into wisdom -- doing the work -- is what it takes to truly live a life with Spirit. So... off to work I go!
In peace,
Lane
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment