Of wisdom’s many qualities, the most prevalent description is that it brings light. To be more specific, it doesn’t just bring light; it is light.

Wisdom has been described as our inner sun. It provides light and warmth to our lives and circumstances. It illuminates our path, and illuminates our reality. The rays of wisdom’s inner sun reach out to others, too. Wisdom is generous in the light it offers and shares.

In the same way that the sun is present even on cloudy days, our inner sun of wisdom remains even when we cannot see it or feel it. Sometimes, our circumstances or emotional states cause wisdom to be hidden behind cloud cover. But we can trust that it remains just the same, and is available to us.

The Buddha describes prajna wisdom as light, and dhyana meditation as its lamp. When we meditate, we create the conditions for wisdom’s light to shine.

Wisdom is the crown of enlightenment. When we become wise, we also inevitably become enlightened. We see things clearly, as they are.

There is power in wisdom– the kind of power that can illuminate the entire world. It is not a power to be trifled with, and not a power to be tamed. But it is a power we can cultivate. When we surround ourselves with the rays of wisdom light, we become not only its recipients but its light-keepers. When we allow wisdom to shine on us, we become those who can bring the light of wisdom to others.

Where can you receive the light of wisdom today?

Where can you share it?

This post is part of the Paramita Project, where I’m practicing one paramita each month. You can read all my post on prajna, wisdom, here.