The Wisdom Beyond Us

A Prayer for Discernment and Clarity

In a world filled with uncertainty, rapid decision-making, and complex situations, the ability to discern the right course of action is invaluable. We all strive to make wise decisions, but how often do we realize that our human faculties are inherently limited? Our biases, our egos, and our perceptions shape how we view the world, and often, they distort our ability to see things as they truly are. This is where the wisdom of sad-buddhi—a Sanskrit term for right discernment or wisdom—becomes crucial. But how do we acquire it?

Sad-buddhi is not something that can simply be developed through knowledge or intellect. We may believe we possess wisdom, but as the ancient Sanskrit phrase Vinaash kaleen viparit buddhi suggests, when the end is near, the mind becomes clouded. This concept reminds us that despite our best efforts, our perceptions can be faulty, especially when we are caught up in the complexity of a situation. In these moments, we may ask ourselves, do we truly know what is right?

This question, asked by Marcus Aurelius in the film Gladiator— “Would you know?”—captures the essence of our own limitations. It’s a profound acknowledgment that we are incapable of fully understanding the entirety of any situation, and that our judgment is often clouded by our own egos and biases. This is not a failure of intellect but a reflection of our human condition. No matter how much we strive to improve our decision-making, we are still susceptible to confusion and error.

The Prayer for Divine Discernment

This is where the prayer “Deva mala sad-buddhi de,” which roughly translates to, “Oh Lord, grant me the sense to do the right thing,” enters the conversation. The prayer is not a mere appeal for knowledge or intelligence. It’s a plea for divine guidance—an understanding that true wisdom cannot be cultivated entirely through human effort alone. It must come from outside of us—from a higher source that transcends our ego and our limited understanding.

Why pray for sad-buddhi when we can develop it through effort and self-reflection? The answer lies in the recognition that we do not have the capacity to fully know what is right or wrong. Our moral compass, shaped by our experiences, biases, and egos, can never be perfect. We cannot truly know what is right or wrong without an external perspective, something that transcends our limited human understanding. This is why we seek divine guidance. True clarity, or sad-buddhi, requires wisdom beyond our own—and that wisdom, in the deepest sense, must come from a divine source.

By praying for sad-buddhi, we are opening ourselves to divine wisdom. We are inviting a kind of guidance that goes beyond our intellect and ego, one that illuminates our path even when we cannot see clearly. It’s a recognition that wisdom is not something we can completely control or own—it’s something we must be open to receiving from a greater source.

The Practical Power of Sad-Buddhi

This understanding of sad-buddhi brings profound practical value. It allows us to navigate life, leadership, and decision-making with a grounded sense of wisdom. When we act with sad-buddhi, we are less likely to fall prey to the ego-driven errors that often lead us astray. Instead, we align with a higher purpose—one that transcends personal biases, emotions, and narrow viewpoints.

This is especially crucial in leadership. In businesses, organizations, and societies, decision-makers often face complex situations where the right choice isn’t obvious. Leaders may be blinded by ambition, pressure, or their own egos, just as the doomed empire in Gladiator was. Yet, the truly wise leader knows that discernment comes from humility, from recognizing their limitations, and from seeking guidance beyond the self.

Take, for instance, companies that have experienced dramatic failures—Blockbuster, Kodak, MySpace, Yahoo, Sears, Toys 'R' Us, Circuit City, Enron, Blackberry, and the list goes on. While we can analyze these cases with the knowledge we have now, it’s important to recognize that, at the time, these leaders were acting with what they believed was the right information. Even if we could somehow bring the knowledge we have today into their past decisions, there’s a strong likelihood that many of these executives would still make the same choices. Why? It’s not because they lacked information; it’s because they lacked the sad-buddhi, the higher wisdom to see beyond their immediate concerns and understand the broader implications of their actions. Instead, they were caught up in viparit-buddhi—the distorted, ego-driven thinking that clouds judgment in moments of pressure or uncertainty.

These leaders, much like the fictional emperor Commodus in Gladiator, were often too entrenched in their own perspectives to recognize the impending failure. Their decision-making was shaped by their biases, ego, and a limited understanding of the evolving landscape. They failed to see the bigger picture, and their judgment was clouded by a failure to discern the true nature of their situation. The tragic result? Failure, even though they believed they were on the right path.

Reflections

In the end, the journey of wisdom is not about perfect knowledge or unerring decision-making. It’s about recognizing our limitations and being open to guidance from a higher source—whether through prayer, intuition, or external wisdom. Sad-buddhi, the divine discernment, is not something we can fully control. But by humbling ourselves and seeking clarity from a higher power, we open ourselves to wisdom that transcends our human limitations.

By embodying this understanding, we navigate life not just with intellect but with integrity and moral clarity, ensuring that we show up as our best selves, regardless of the outcomes. Whether in leadership, business, or personal decisions, it’s not about controlling every outcome, but about aligning ourselves with what is truly right and accepting the guidance we need to see clearly when our own minds fail us.