Planting seeds of wisdom in a field of ignorance

Here’s how you can plant seeds of wisdom through the six elements of system 3 thinking:

• Focus: Notice what’s going on in the world around you and pay attention, no matter how grim, distasteful, or unfair it looks. Don’t turn away but don’t become drawn in. Be a detached observer.

• Life experience: Draw on lessons from your own life and the experiences of others to see events and issues in the context of human development over a longer timeframe than what the news cycle or other people might be giving you. Take the opportunity, if you can, to advise those who seek guidance and wise counsel. Build up the practice of helping others.

• Decisiveness: If you can make a positive difference in another’s life or in a community, then take action. Don’t delay. Decide on the issues that matter to you and take a stand. Be known for your position.

• Compassion: Use your feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, and empathy to reach out and help those in need with whatever resources you have available at the time.

• Emotion regulation: Strive for balance in your emotional experience; identify your feelings and be honest about owning them. Don’t be overwhelmed or confused. Notice your emotional state as a by-product of the issues that you’re seeing in the world. But try to remain detached.

• Tolerance for divergent values: Develop and maintain a state of equanimity – calmness and composure – especially in a difficult situation. Have a level of curiosity about the issues and circumstances in the world. Try to imagine what other people might be feeling, even if their values and beliefs are diametrically opposed to yours.

This is how you create your own Wisdom Practice