How to Be Truly Wise
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This episode of Exploring A Course in Miracles explores the profound integration of innocence and wisdom, two qualities often perceived as mutually exclusive. The host, Robert Perry, outlines a three-stage journey toward true wisdom: starting with 'partial innocence'—a childlike, unworldly view of the world; progressing through 'partial wisdom'—a jaded, realistic awareness of human ego and societal chaos; and culminating in 'innocent wisdom,' where innocence and wisdom are unified. The key insight is that in their perfected forms, innocence and wisdom are not opposites but identical: both are unaware of evil because evil does not truly exist. Instead, they both perceive only perfection beneath the surface of life. Using the metaphor of an ocean—where the turbulent surface represents ego and the deep, calm waters symbolize divine reality—the episode argues that true wisdom lies in consistently focusing on the unchanging perfection beneath transient appearances. This shift in perception leads not to denial of reality, but to a deeper, more accurate understanding of truth, resulting in joy and peace rather than fear or judgment. The episode concludes with a call to practice this awareness daily, returning attention to the quiet depths of reality no matter what chaos unfolds on the surface.
True wisdom and innocence are not opposites but the same thing when fully realized—both see only perfection because evil does not truly exist.
The journey to innocent wisdom involves moving from naive innocence through disillusioned realism to a deeper, more accurate perception of reality.
The surface of life (ego, chaos, conflict) is like the churning ocean waves—dramatic but superficial; the true reality lies in the deep, peaceful depths of divine perfection.
Practicing innocent wisdom means repeatedly redirecting attention from surface-level chaos to the unchanging perfection beneath, which fosters joy and peace.
Jesus’ teachings in A Course in Miracles are not naive or romantic—they are deeply realistic about the surface world while remaining rooted in the truth of perfection below.
Introduction to the Episode and the Sunday Gathering
The episode begins with an introduction to the podcast Exploring A Course in Miracles, hosted by Robert Perry and Emily Bennington, and an invitation to join the Circle of Atonement’s Sunday gatherings, which are held bi-monthly and accessible via community.circleofa.org.
Defining Innocence and Wisdom: The Tension Between Them
“The two qualities, both deeply desirable, seem to not go together. And I think somewhere inside we sense that. We want to be both innocent, both pure and good, and we want to be wise, but it seems impossible to be both at the same time.”
Stage One: Partial Innocence and the Illusion of Safety
“The partly innocent are apt to be quite stupid at times, and we know exactly what he means, right? He means they're apt to be unwise. They're apt to make unsound decisions that go against their own best interests.”
Stage Two: Partial Wisdom and the Cost of Realism
“You're trying your utmost to face life as it is without sugarcoating it. The reason is wisdom involves seeing deeply into life. And at this stage, you're really only seeing the surface.”
Stage Three: Innocent Wisdom – The Unity of Innocence and Wisdom
“Innocence is wisdom because it is unaware of evil, which does not exist. It is, however, perfectly aware of everything that is true.”
“Innocence is wisdom because it is unaware of evil, which does not exist. It is, however, perfectly aware of everything that is true.”
“The reality beneath the surface is perfection. The reality of the person who is criticizing us is perfection. The reality of the corrupt person who is in a position of authority is perfection.”
“When our focus is more on that perfection than on the ego that churns and bubbles on the surface. And we know we've reached that place when our emotional reaction to everyone and to the world as a whole is pure joy.”
Hosts
A Course in Miracles
book
Robert Perry
person
Jesus
person
Ego
other
The Ocean Metaphor
other
Circle of Atonement
organization
God
other
The Workbook
book
Nature
other
The Real World
other
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