Most of us think that, to be intelligent is to have a vast body of knowledge. Or perhaps the capacity to solve complex problems. However, the problem with this definition of intelligence, is that one slowly begins to get entrenched and identified with these abilities. This results in a complete identification with one’s knowledge. Any position counter to one’s own identification appears to be an assault on one’s being. This results in increasing conflicts with people who hold divergent views and eventually into isolation. We see this among many learned people.
But is this really intelligence?
There is another definition of intelligence. The capacity to separate oneself from one’s own stream of thinking. That is, to be aware of one’s thinking as something apart from oneself. Most meditators know this already. Meditation is the ability to stand apart from any sort of experience – thinking included. One simply watches the happenings, both in the world and in one’s own mind and body.
Intelligence is the capacity to separate oneself from one’s own stream of thinking
This separation of knower (I who watches) and known (my thoughts) is crucial to intelligence. It helps us hold a neutral position and allows us to accept that our position may be wrong. An intelligent person is essentially a humble person. Not that kind of false humility that one sees in some people. Rather, an honest recognition that while I hold this position, I may be wrong. In other words, when one is aware of one’s position and recognises it simply as a position, then one is liberated from holding on to it for dear life. It is a question of identity. An intelligent person basis one’s identity on the awareness that holds a particular position (whatever it may be) and not on the position itself.
Or in other words – space. We need space to be able to able to disentangle ourselves from our stream of judgements, opinions and beliefs. And when we have this space of awareness, we gain the ability to hold positions that seem contradictory – and yet be comfortable with it. Being comfortable with an unresolved tension is the mark of an intelligent person. Being able to say, “I see both sides, and cannot make up my mind”, is the mark of a wise person. The French philosopher and author of The Essays, Michel de Montaigne famously used the Greek word: Époché (suspension of judgment) to capture his philosophy in life : Que sais-je? (What do I know?).
This ability to take a neutral stance and recognise one’s smallness amidst the the complexity of this universe, loosens us up. It can be scary at first – for who am I without my opinions and beliefs? But as we begin to get acquainted with the space of awareness through meditation, we begin to dwell as the awareness, rather than a bundle of opinions and beliefs. This gives us a grounding, a foundation, upon which we can be a healthy skeptic. The “I do not know” has a firm counter-position of “I know that I am aware”.
Then, knowledge sets us free. Otherwise, we are burdened by our own intelligence.
Journey of a thousand words 