Just in time for the weekend, here is an easy, accessible way for you to practice wisdom: read wise words daily.

I know, this is appallingly obvious. But it bears repeating that we do not gain wisdom through osmosis. We gain it through attention and proximity. (Remember the story of Shariputra, who became wise because he put himself in a position to see.)

You can do this in so many ways. If you’re part of a faith tradition, you can choose to read some of your holy text every day. Set aside time to read and maybe even journal in response to the reading. For Buddhists, maybe you read the heart sutra and chant the prajna paramita mantra. (I’ll be trying this, too!) If you read the Bible, you can spend some time reading the wisdom books of Proverbs or Ecclesiastes. If you’re a Jesus person, read through the gospels and particularly the parables.

The simple truth is that when we surround ourselves with wise people, we become wise. And thanks to books, podcasts, internet articles, and more, we can have proximity to so much wisdom.

Other ways you can be intentional about seeking out the wise:

• Read a book by a spiritual leader you admire. Find a book that resonates with where you are, or where you want to grow in wisdom.
• Find some spiritual leaders you admire and follow them on social media (if they have accounts…! It’s worth noticing that most highly lauded spiritual leaders spend very little time online.) Interrupt all of that chatter and put some wisdom in front of your face.
• Put a wise quote on a sticky note where you can see it and ponder it daily
• Watch a documentary about something you’re passionate about this weekend
• Cultivate some silent space for yourself this weekend. Wisdom is born out of silence, not noise. So go for a long walk outside, or snuggle under a blanket and let your mind wander.

Most spiritual leaders have a ritual of reading wise words daily. They consistently put themselves in a position to see the bigger reality. What can you do this weekend to embody this same practice? What can you commit to for February to gain insight and wise sight?

This post is part of the Paramita Project, where I’m practicing one of the ten Buddhist paramitas, or virtues, every month. Read all my posts on February’s paramita, wisdom, here.