Knowledge is information diligently collected, stored and retrieved appropriately. It is just knowing, raw-data perceived through senses, mostly eyes and ears.
Intellect is a step above raw knowledge. It is a faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively. Beyond knowing, the information is understood clearly, interpreted in multiple angles and the person is able to reason several other scenarios based on this understanding.
Most of our education system is totally built around augmenting knowledge and assessing the intellect. Universities produce a large number of distinguished intellects and well-informed individuals year in year out. But none of the modern universities can produce Einsteins and Picassos; Gates and Jobs; Bufett and Bezos.
நீரளவே யாகுமாம் நீராம்பல் தான்கற்ற
நூலளவே யாகுமாம் நுண்ணறிவு - ஔவையார்
(Water lilly cannot grow beyond the depth of the water;
intellect cannot go beyond the knowledge acquired - Avvaiyar)
Intelligence is the ability to apply the knowledge and intellect to tackle obscure situations with ease. Often, it sprouts out when the mind is cornered and it cannot retrieve anything from the memory. Commonly known as presence of mind.
Unlike knowledge and intellect, intelligence cannot be taught, at least directly. When a person is put through certain situations by choice or chance, their intelligence is exhibited, if exists.
Wisdom is whole different ball game. Wisdom is a clairvoyance with a wholistic perspective of anything and everything essential. It can neither be taught, nor innate but a blessing that is instilled upon the fortunate when their consciousness (சித்தம்) ripens. It doesn't grow gradually, but a sudden shift changes a commoner and brings out a completely new wiseman into existence.
Wisdom in current times is used haphazardly as a superlative of intelligence. Genius and Gifted are still intelligence of much higher amplitude, focused and exhibited very rarely.
கலைஞானம் (Gifted) - Skill that is not practiced but uncovered from within. Gifted in any form of art. Mozart, Michelangelo, Balamuralikrishna, Michael Jackson are all gifted artists.
Some rare beings like, Leonardo da Vinci are both genius minds and gifted artists. But wisdom is beyond mind and such rare abilities. Wisdom is not settling for anything less. It is to get in par with the creator itself. Hence it is termed as மெய்ஞானம் (truly wise).
மெய்ஞானம் (Wisdom) is complete resonance with all the elements in universe, life forms, cosmos and total dominance over all the 64 art forms (ஆயர்களை 64). Not necessarily exhibited for approval and recognition. Buddha is a மெய்ஞானி (wise), but there is no record of him reciting a poem, singing a song or painting. Socrates, Christ, Thiruvalluvar, thousands of siddhas and rishis are the மெய்ஞானி (real wise). Their identity and influence transcends beyond their bodily form, space and time and is ever existing in the universe.
Wisdom is never self-proclaimed and hence one has to invariably doubt anyone who claims wisdom. It is so conspicuous that it need not be touted. On the contrary, there have been several wisemen who took so much care in hiding their wisdom from the crowd. We are in fortunate times and there are abundant intentions, words and actions of real wisemen around us. It just takes a moment, the right moment, to catch the flame and lighten our lamp.
Labels:Purpose, Esoteric, Science life
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