All about Wisdom at Wisdom-and-Philosophy.com

This site is dedicated to those with an interest in Wisdom and Philosophy. Those searching for anything more than a practical insight into the subject may be wise to follow the more in-depth links that are within this website.

QUOTE: "A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step." (Lao Tzu)

We hope this next step will enrich your soul and give you the energy to introduce more wisdom and practical philosophy into your life...

GO IMMEDIATELY TO EBOOK PAGE

WISDOM EBOOKS

WEBSITE NAVIGATION

SUBSCRIPTION | PRODUCTS | GUEST PAGE

QUOTE: "Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with." (Mark Twain)

QUOTES and ILLUSTRATIONS will appear upon this website and within our regular newsletter will be from prominent philosophers such as these and many more:

HERE IS A SAMPLE NEWSLETTER

Greetings my Good Friends,

Please enjoy this regular dip into WISDOM 4U
A PHILOSOPHICAL NEWSLETTER
Witnessing the Practice of Practical Philosophy & Wisdom in our 'Day-to-Day' Life

Dated: 9th December

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

In compliance with Anti-Spam Laws, please find subscribe and un.subscribe details at the end of this e-mail.

This week's Newsletter contains:

1. Introduction to our Subject – Wisdom Just Is…
2. Story 1
3. Story 2
4. Responding to Your Questions.
5. Philosophical Quotes

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Please pass this newsletter on to a friend!

INTRODUCTION to our subject – WISDOM JUST IS…

QUOTE: “In complete darkness we are all the same. It is only our knowledge and wisdom that separates us. Don't let your eyes deceive you.” (American singer Janet Jackson)

Let me remind you of what too many people strive for all of their life. Money and Wealth! But you may wonder, for what purpose? Generally the destination is happiness. Why not avoid the stress, heartache and heart attacks and take a short cut to being happy first.

We can all strive, but not to the detriment of our health. We can all ‘want’ but not so our family and friends suffer. Wants and desires that originate from our ego are selfish and as a consequence shatter our life. Selfish actions destroy relationships and families; if we could only perform from a centred calmness rather than our selfish ego.

That said… although very critical and offensive to our ego; once we have witnessed operating from a centred calmness we can become more aware of this otherwise hidden capability of making excellent decisions.

As you already know every action has a consequence. Good actions therefore means good consequences, and subsequently poor actions make our life stressful, these poor decisions often stem from operating from our ego.

QUOTE: "By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."
(Chinese philosopher Confucius (551-479 BC))

Who am I to question such a philosopher, but I sense the quote would be better equipped for life if it was changed to this:

QUOTE: By four methods may we acquire wisdom: first, by acknowledging the value of intuition, which is most noble; second, by ignoring thought coming from our ego, which is most common; third by eliminating our claims to ‘know’, which becomes habitual; and finally understanding the power of reflection and how it can prevent the bitterness of repeating bad experiences. (Phil Booker).

I sense in writing that quote, I myself am making a claim. But I hope that an intuitive truth was filtering through the keyboard as I typed.

This month’s newsletter is aimed at bringing together two important aspects of wisdom and philosophy; they are: ‘being calm’ and ‘showing gratitude’.

One of our stories is from a philosopher who suggests how powerful our life can be if it is grounded on a calm persona. The other story has a religious slant.

To be wise is to be able to see good in everything. Religion and philosophers have been known to mislead, but viewing any communication from a calm centre will allow the clarity of mind. We can either accept or reject. Should we see clarity, gratitude will flow.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Top 10 Wisdom and Philosophical Gifts
http://www.wisdom-and-philosophy.com/philosophy_ebooks.htm

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

2. STORY 1

GRATITUDE

The whole process of mental adjustment and atunement can be summed up in one word: gratitude.

First, you believe that there is one intelligent substance from which all things proceed. Secondly, you believe that this substance gives you everything you desire. And, thirdly, you relate yourself to it through a feeling of deep and profound gratitude.

Many people who order their lives rightly in all other ways are kept in poverty by their lack of gratitude. Having received one gift from God, they cut the wires which connect them with Him by failing to make acknowledgment.

It is easy to understand that the nearer we live to the source of wealth, the more wealth we shall receive. It is also easy to understand that a soul that is always grateful lives in closer touch with God than one who never looks to Him in thankful acknowledgment.

When good things come to us, the more gratefully we fix our mind on the Supreme Power, the more good things we will receive - and the more rapidly they will come. The reason for this is simply that the mental attitude of gratitude draws the mind into closer touch with the source from which the blessings come. (Wallace D. Wattles)

3. STORY 2

SERENITY

Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.

A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.

The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, know how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater self-control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demure is strongly equable.

The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade-giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet-tempered, balanced life? It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm. That exquisite poise of character which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture; it is the flowering of life, the fruitage of the soul. It is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold - yea, than even fine gold. How insignificant mere money-seeking looks in comparison with a serene life - a life that dwells in the ocean of Truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the Eternal Calm. (James Allen, 1864-1912)

4. ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

QUESTION: “I try to advance in life by being calm, but I keep find hurdles to leap. Am I doing something wrong?”

ANSWER: A good question and I instantly think of this story, although a tad amusing the message is succinct.

GIVING UP TOO SOON

A man meets a guru in the road. The man asks the guru, "Which way is success?"

The bearded sage speaks not but points to a place off in the distance.

The man, thrilled by the prospect of quick and easy success, rushes off in the appropriate direction. Suddenly, there comes a loud "Splat!!!"

Eventually, the man limps back, tattered and stunned, assuming he must have misinterpreted the message. He repeats his question to the guru, who again points silently in the same direction.

The man obediently walks off once more. This time the splat is deafening, and when the man crawls back, he is bloody, broken, tattered, and irate. "I asked you which way is success, " he screams at the guru. "I followed the direction you indicated. And all I got was splatted! No more of this pointing! Talk!"

Only then does the guru speak, and what he says is this: "Success is that way. Just a little after the splat."

(Unknown Author)

5. PHILOSOPHICAL TIPS & QUOTES

*“To attract good fortune, spend a new coin on an old friend, share an old pleasure with a new friend, and lift up the heart of a true friend by writing his name on the wings of a dragon.” (Chinese proverb)

“A failure is a man who has blundered but is not able to cash in on experience.”
(Elbert Hubbard)

“Every great work, every great accomplishment, has been brought into manifestation through holding to a vision, and often just before the big achievement, comes apparent failure and discouragement.” (Florence Scovel Shinn)

Bye for now.

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

Don’t forget…
http://www.wisdom-and-philosophy.com/philosophy_ebooks.htm

%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

======================================================
Phil Booker
Editor, Author, Businessman and Philosopher of Life.
Providing you with the Regular Newsletter - WISDOM 4U
EMAIL: philbooker @ philbooker.plus.com
www.wisdom-and-philosophy.com
======================================================

Your email address is kept securely and not used for any other purpose.

If you have been forwarded this newsletter by a friend and would like to receive
it each week yourself, then please title an email 'WISDOM4U 4 ME' and sent to: subscribe@philbooker.plus.com

If you DO NOT wish to partake further please follow this link www.wisdom-and-philosophy.com/unsubscribe.htm

"What we see depends mainly on what we look for." (John Lubbock).

This newsletter has been sent by Phil Booker from Wisdom-and-Philosophy.com, Sheffield England, United Kingdom.

Run Your car on Water

Wisdom Article

Wisdom News

Man behind Big Issue to share wisdom - ic Wales

COLLECTED WISDOM - Globe and Mail

The wisdom of Williams: Week One - TVNZ

"Daughters of Wisdom": All work â€” and some joyful play â€” in a ... - Seattle Times

Political Wisdom: Republicansâ€™ Really, Really Bad News - Wall Street Journal Blogs

Words of wisdom from new inductees to GSU's Business Hall of Fame - Atlanta Journal Constitution

As birthdays add up, numbers can bring greater wisdom, compassion - Statesman Journal

Some little pieces of wisdom - El Defensor Chieftain

GEICO Volunteers Build Team Spirit with Students at Camp Wisdom - Business Wire (press release)