In earlier times, wisdom was "demonstrated."
They didn't talk, write, make movies or take pictures.
They didn't look like much, but then; they didn't have to.
We hold "literacy" and "literature" in high regard in the modern world. So much that we've started to equate a knowledge of literature and the ability to read and write with intelligence itself. As in, "Well, if that guy can't read and write, what kind of a useless dude is he?" Of course, in contemporary culture, our access to information is pervasive to the point of being overpowering. Everyone can access everything, and anyone can access anything; so we're all genius Masters! Or... perhaps, Not!
To have access to something is not the same as actually knowing it. Merely knowing it is not the same as having Mastered it. Seeing lots of movies and reading magazines is not learning, knowledge, or wisdom. Having information in your culture is nice. Having good information in your home is better. But having wisdom in your heart, mind, spirit -- acquired through direct experience and practice -- that is Mastery. Then, of course, there's teaching it!
In earlier times, before paper, writing and portable screens were everywhere, wisdom was passed with great care, from someone who was wise; directly to someone who wanted to become wise -- over time. The transfer was by word of mouth, but also through repeated demonstrations -- hand to hand, mouth to ear. To "study" the Martial Arts meant to live within reach of the teacher, and to talk, practice, watch and do the arts personally, daily, for years -- absorbing the lessons while being steeped in the art, the philosophy, the culture -- Living a Life in TaiJi.
Today we take classes twice a week
And we call those old masters "illiterate..."
