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Wisdom Talks

Wisdom, also known as sapience, is the ability to apply knowledge, experience, and good judgment to navigate life's complexities. It is often associated with insight, discernment, and ethics in decision-making. Throughout history, wisdom has been regarded as a key virtue in philosophy, religion, and psychology, representing the ability to understand and respond to reality in a balanced and thoughtful manner. Unlike intelligence, which primarily concerns problem-solving and reasoning, wisdom involves a deeper comprehension of human nature, moral principles, and the long-term consequences of actions.
Philosophically, wisdom has been explored by thinkers from Ancient Greece to modern times. Socrates famously equated wisdom with recognizing one's own ignorance, while Aristotle saw it as practical reasoning (phronesis) and deep contemplation (sophia). Eastern traditions, such as Confucianism and Buddhism, emphasize wisdom as a form of enlightened understanding that leads to ethical living and inner peace. Across cultures, wisdom is often linked to virtues like humility, patience, and compassion, suggesting that it is not just about knowing what is right but also acting upon it.
Psychologists study wisdom as a cognitive and emotional trait, often linking it to maturity, emotional regulation, and the ability to consider multiple perspectives. Research suggests that wisdom is associated with qualities such as open-mindedness, empathy, and the ability to manage uncertainty. Some psychological models, such as the Berlin Wisdom Paradigm and Robert Sternberg's Balance Theory, attempt to define and measure wisdom through various cognitive and social factors. Neuroscience studies also explore how brain structures related to emotional processing and long-term thinking contribute to wise decision-making.
Wisdom continues to be a subject of interest in modern society, influencing fields as diverse as leadership, education, and personal development. While technology provides greater access to information, it does not necessarily lead to wisdom, which requires careful reflection and ethical consideration. As artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making play a growing role in shaping human life, discussions on wisdom remain relevant, emphasizing the importance of judgment, ethical responsibility, and long-term planning.
Title | Speaker | |
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Introducing the Ten Abodes of BodhisattvasA talk given to the online community at No Abode Hermitage Bodhisattva, Wisdom, Buddha |
Aug 16 2025 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Reading The Flower Adornment Sutra, Chapter 3Chapter 3 - The Meditation of Samantabhadra Bhikshu Dharmamitra translation.
Meiya Reading Flower Adornment Sutra, Concentration, Buddha, Wisdom |
2024 3-dharmamitra |
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Reading The Flower Adornment Sutra, Book 25 part 6Book 25 - Ten Dedications, p 628 Thomas Cleary translation
Meiya Reading Flower Adornment Sutra, Vow, Wisdom, Enlightenment |
2024 25f |
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Reading The Flower Adornment Sutra, Book 26 part 3Book 26 - The Ten Stages, p 744 Thomas Cleary translation
Meiya Reading Flower Adornment Sutra, Practice, Wisdom, Emptiness |
2024 26c |
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Embodied Insight Through Zen Practice Practice, Work, Wisdom |
Jan 2022 |
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Realizing the Buddha Way Together Monkey Mind, Practice, Wisdom |
Jan 2022 |
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Making Our Life A GiftA virtual Dharma talk by Tenshin Roshi for an online gathering of the No Abode community Generosity, Awakening, Wisdom, Enthusiasm, Lotus Sutra, Precepts |
May 08 2021 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Making Our Life A GiftSerial: RA-04561 A virtual Dharma talk by Tenshin Roshi for an online gathering of the No Abode community
Generosity, Awakening, Wisdom, Obstacles, Practice, Effort |
May 08 2021 No Abode Hermitage Online |
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Awakening Through Skillful Means Buddha, Practice, Wisdom |
Jan 15 2021 |
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Moonlit Paths to Humble Clarity New Year, Wisdom, Complete Perfect Enlightenment |
Jan 2020 |
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Awakening Through Bodhisattva Precepts Precepts, Buddha Mind, Wisdom |
Nov 17 2019 |
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Embrace Present Wisdom and Peace Wisdom, Peace, Practice |
Sep 22 2019 |
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Embrace Now: Liberation in Presence Discrimination, Mindfulness, Wisdom |
Aug 28 2019 |
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Zen Meditation - Sitting in the Middle of Fierce FlamesYRB-2018-Spring, Wisdom, Time, Buddha |
Apr 24 2018 7 of 7 The Yoga Room |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #1Tathagatagharba, Flower Adornment Sutra, Nirvana Sutra, Buddhism, Delusion, Wisdom... |
Apr 14 2018 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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The Womb of the Tathagata #1Flower Adornment Sutra, Koan, Book of Serenity, Wisdom, Love, Attachment |
Apr 14 2018 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Awakening Compassion Through Zen Listening Compassion, Practice, Wisdom |
Mar 11 2018 |
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The Teaching of the Buddha’s Whole Lifetime Wisdom, Instruction, Perfect Wisdom |
Aug 05 2017 PM |
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Prajna Paramita, the Lovely, the HolyUngraspable nature of all phenomena; perfect wisdom understands dependent co-arising; non-abiding in any state. Perfect Wisdom, Transmission, Compassion, Dependent Origination, Perfect Wisdom,... |
Jul 08 2017 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Prajna Paramita, the Lovely, the Holy Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Nirvana |
Jul 08 2017 AM |
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Seeing Beyond Duality: Zen Wisdom Wisdom, Suzuki Roshi, Anger |
Dec 17 2016 |
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Since You Cannot Waste Time, Don’tWisdom, Karmic Consequences, Consciousness, Rumi, Karmic Consequences, cognitive... |
Oct 08 2016 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Fluid Self: Zen's Path to Liberation Stillness, Liberation, Wisdom |
Jun 19 2016 |
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Meeting Buddhas in Everyday Samadhi Samadhi, Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom |
Jan 24 2016 |
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Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Part 10Generosity, Wisdom, Compassion, Compassion, Consciousness, Samadhi |
Dec 12 2015 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Song of the Jewel Mirror Samadhi, Part 9Compassion, Ceremony, Consciousness, Karma, Compassion, Wisdom |
Nov 14 2015 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Intimacy Unveiled: Zen's Path to Peace Intimacy, Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom |
Mar 15 2015 |
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Embracing Emptiness: Living Zen Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Emptiness, Wisdom |
Jan 24 2015 |
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Listening as Liberation Practice Buddha Mind, Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom |
Jan 11 2015 |
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Good Friendship of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Pain |
Dec 09 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Good Friendship of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Consciousness |
Nov 25 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Friendship's Path in Zen Awakening Bodhisattva Way, Wisdom, Manjushri |
Nov 03 2014 |
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Zen Meditation as the Bodhisattva PreceptsCompassion, Wisdom, Precepts, Precepts, Suzuki Roshi, Zazen, Bodhisattva Precepts,... |
Oct 11 2014 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Betting on Non-Abiding Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Evil |
Sep 21 2014 |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Practice |
Aug 07 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, true dharma, Wisdom |
Jul 24 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Practice |
Jul 17 2014 The Yoga Room |
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The Sound of the Valley Stream and the Color of the MountainPerfect Wisdom, Non-duality, Intimacy, Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom |
Jul 12 2014 AM No Abode Hermitage |
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Roots and Fruits of Perfect Wisdom Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Time |
Jul 10 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Fayen’s Good Friendship Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Buddha |
Jun 07 2014 PM |
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Openness and Wisdom Through Friendship Wisdom, Perfect Wisdom, Practice |
May 10 2014 PM No Abode Hermitage |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Study |
Apr 24 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Consciousness, Wisdom, Bodhisattva |
Apr 17 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Living Beyond Words Perfect Wisdom, Discrimination, Wisdom |
Apr 13 2014 |
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Zen Transformation Through Perfect Wisdom Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Bodhisattva Way |
Apr 13 2014 |
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I always think of Hunan in Spring Bodhisattva, Wisdom, Consciousness |
Apr 12 2014 |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Silence |
Apr 10 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Suffering, Wisdom |
Apr 03 2014 The Yoga Room |
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Exploring Consciousness and Realizing WisdomExploring consciousness with the aid of Buddha's teachings is a path to discovering and realizing deep, liberating Wisdom. Consciousness may be experienced as confining and confusing; at the same... Perfect Wisdom, Consciousness, Wisdom, Book of Serenity, Demons, Enemies, Karmic... |
Mar 23 2014 8 No Abode Hermitage |
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Perfect Wisdom - The Mother of All Buddhas Perfect Wisdom, Wisdom, Practice |
Mar 20 2014 The Yoga Room |