As we traverse through life, we often grapple with the question of how we can transform wisdom and knowledge from being an external beacon to becoming an integral part of our reality. The path to achieving this is multifaceted, and it starts with recognizing the extraordinary power of listening.

A guiding principle to understand this process is the piece from Tefila – “Lishmoah lilmod ulelamed lishmor velaasos ulekayem – To listen, to learn, to teach, to guard and to perform, and to establish.” Rav Eliyahu Dessler explains that this line expresses the process of taking an external or theoretical idea and turning it in to a living experiential truth within our hearts. Thus, this sequence captures the journey of transforming an external or theoretical idea into a living truth within our hearts. We aspire for wisdom to be more than something we understand—it should become part of our identity, shaping our actions and interactions with the world around us. Here’s how each step in this process contributes to self-development:

1. To listen is to be open and attentive to what is being said or taught.
2. To learn is to process and comprehend new information.
3. To teach is to share your newly acquired wisdom with others.
4. To guard and perform is to apply what you’ve learned.
5. To establish means to embed this process deeply within yourself, transforming your character over time.

In our journey of learning, we must tackle the biases and assumptions that often limit our perception. A significant step towards acquiring wisdom is acknowledging that our knowledge is finite. When we encounter new perspectives or concepts, we must start by asking questions, opening ourselves up to the possibility of change. This approach often leads to deeper understanding, enabling us to glean fresh insights from familiar ideas.

One of the most profound revelations in the journey of wisdom is the recognition that learning is an ongoing process. We all have the capacity to learn from everyone and everything around us. The world is our classroom, with lessons waiting to be discovered. Therefore, it is crucial to approach knowledge with a thirst for understanding, rather than merely pursuing completion.

Finding the teacher within you is another significant step in this journey. The best way to internalize an idea is to share it with someone else. Besides the unique satisfaction derived from imparting knowledge, teaching compels us to attain clarity in areas we might have otherwise overlooked. Sharing knowledge can often lead to new insights, providing us with a deeper understanding of the subject.

True knowledge manifests in our actions. To effectively incorporate wisdom into our lives, it’s essential to digest and understand what we’ve learned. Once we’ve synthesized this knowledge, we can evaluate how it fits into our lives and commit ourselves to incorporate it in our actions. You’ll be surprised to find how much you can ‘establish’ any principle or thought into your essence, molding yourself into the person you aspire to be.

The cycle of life brings about phases of introspection and self-assessment. During these periods, we reflect on our past and chart the course for our future. This introspection parallels the steps of the aforementioned process: we listen to our hearts, learn from our past actions, adjust our behavior, and strive to establish these changes as our new norm. This is akin to returning to our authentic selves, aligning our actions with our ideals.

Each one of us carries a unique light, a spark that we are meant to uncover and reveal to the world. However, over time, many of us may veer off our intended paths, distancing ourselves from our inner selves. In such situations, we speak of the return to our true selves, which ultimately signifies our reconnection with our ideals and our pursuit of wisdom. This is an ongoing journey that requires dedication, effort, and patience.

With the right vision and effort, we can internalize the wisdom we learn, fostering peace and harmony in our lives. Let us strive to imbibe this wisdom and share it with the world, illuminating the path for others. In doing so, we contribute to fostering unity and understanding among all people, working towards a world that embraces and upholds the beauty of shared wisdom.