Wisdom Better than Riches

Wisdom is the key ideal for Gray 2 level. Wisdom is not just knowledge but how and when to use knowledge. It is not getting 100% answers on a test, but knowing when to apply that knowledge to real life. It is not being smart, but being discerning. Wisdom is not your mental ability, but your spirit ability to make good choices. You might know everything to know about food and drink and calories and cooking, but it is wisdom to know eat healthy.

In terms of kung fu, this is not how much you know about fighting but how to keep yourself safe with that knowledge – as to when to walk away or when to be pre-emptive or which animal strategy will be most effective against another style or to pick up the handy club rather than fight open handed, etc. It is not how much martial arts smart you are, but how ‘street’ smart you are that keeps you from getting into a fight in the first place.

Finally, wisdom is making good spiritual choices in life that keeps your joy and buoyancy by doing what is loving and right versus what just serves yourself. It takes all the values before – faith, courage, honor, respect, love, persistence, proficiency and loyalty and makes them the center of your life. Wisdom is the step before enlightenment — which is the result of a life of wisdom. As it says in Proverbs: “Do not forsake wisdom and she will protect you, love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost you all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you, embrace her and she will honor you” (4:6-8). Such epiphany comes from the practice of wisdom — not just in martial arts, but in all of life!

– Sigung Steve Jungmann
Pai Xeung Lum