Wisdom is a many splendored thing...
Most people on this board probably don't read the Bible, hehe, but I do sometimes.
It is interesting that orthodox Judaic scholars and many Christians consider Solomon the wisest man who ever lived,
and preach long and loudly that Wisdom is to be desired above all things, yet they don't consider his life an example of a life worth living.
As a child, my father used to read to me out of the Old Testament (that was where the good stuff was, he said, and I agree) and instilled in me a respect and desire for wisdom. Of course, now he would say that he failed...
From the Proverbs, composed from sayings heard in Solomons court, there are many simple things that are worth knowing:
A kind word turns away wrath.
A wise man has regard for the life of his beast.
Arguing with a fool makes one a fool also.
...
At the same time, I always thought it _curious_ that most of Wisdoms attributes were described as feminine, and the Song of Songs (written by Solomon) contains the only joyous depictions of women.
Ecclesiastes (also by Solomon) is seldom quoted from in Christian churches 'because it is so depressing', or so I have heard from pastors and other well-meaning Christians.
Perhaps the unspoken reason is that it shows a undesirable state of mind... reflective and frank, even painfully vulnerable. Is questioning ones self automatically depressing and morbid? I think not.
These are not flashy, confidence inspiring, traits of a successful king and leader of men, but necessary, I would think. Many would say these qualities are somewhat feminine.
Is it not interesting that the wisest man in ancient history is the only one in the OT who explicitly states his regard for womens presence and beauty, and is vulnerable, yet strong enough to openly question whether or not his actions meant anything at all?
Where, when and why did thinking and evaluating ones thoughts and actions become the domain of females, and not something kings do?
The abstract ideal of the Feminine as Lady Wisdom, the beloved of the sages and philosophers was allowed in the OT.
Ok, let´s go to Mesopotamia, where we have a totally different picture. Wisdom was complementary in Mesopotamia and personified by Inanna and Enki in special. There were the Crafts and domains of specialization sacred to the gods, but basically there we have first Enki/Ea as Reflexive Intelligence, the concept of Form that shapes up all there is in multiple combinations of all sorts. Doing a Cabalistic quantum leap, perhaps here you have where Enki/Ea links with the Supernal Mother in the Cabala. But there is the element of Joy in Enki, which is missing in Binah. I always wondered why would the Descent into Matter, or Incarnation, be sad? No way!!! If you have Wisdom, descent into Matter is a Joyous and Adventurous Journey towards Existence by learning with Enki and ... experiencing all and learning along the process too.
Wisdom had also a dynamic, experiential aspect as complement, who is Inanna/Ishtar, as the Knowledge from Experience, even by trial and error if need be. Let it be said that without true Experience, Knowledge is sterile and unconvincing, thus we have that even experiments in science are necessary to prove a theory. Thus, Inanna complements the ideas of Form that Enki creates in his mind, because in Mesopotamia the Divine Feminine was not alienated from the Divine Masculine.
In other words, reflexive knowledge leads to Wisdom, as well as direct experience, if lived with intention. Because what one learns must also be experienced and transformeded in the act of reshaping one´s ideas and ideals, one´s environment, one´s Soul.
Also, the Wisdom of the Sages of the Bible as ideal is never generous. She claims for attention and requires sacrifice to lend Her graces... whereas Inanna give us the the Passion for Life, the Desire to experience what we do and are in all words. as well as She brings us the Warrior´s Drive to keep going... in the highs and lows likewise... Because when Inanna conquers the ME, She gives them all to Her people... and Uruk becomes then an ally to Enridu, Enki´s place.
It is frequently said in the literature that Inanna stole the ME from Enki. Enki, who is Wise, offered the ME to Inanna first, and then... Inanna took them back to Her place. She did not stole the ME. She was offered them, and then... took them all home!
There are more subtleties to this myth and one of the keys is THE PERFECT EXECUTION OF THE ME. This is why also Enki challenged Inanna to protect the ME. Only then She could show him how well She knew how to protect them, and pass them on generously. Which was exactly what Inanna did.
Now, be it understood that Enki never wanted Inanna to lose the ME or to defeat Her. This is one of the great Mysteries in acquiring Wisdom. There is no loser, only winners. Otherwise, there could be no Wisdom at all. Inanna was also defending HerSelf and the ME only. I did not hear Her cursing or wishing Enki the worse.
Thus, Wisdom was not barefoot in Mesopotamia, claiming on the streets of the land to be heard by all.
She Lived in Enki and Inanna in splendor.
Because if Enki teaches how-to and empowers us to act, Inanna is the vibrant shaft of light, the energetic Standard-Bearer that help us to stretch our limits... one more time.
From the Depths and To the Heights to share in all spheres
Re: Wisdom is a many splendored thing...
I have as a code of conduct in the sites I manage not to talk about Post-Mesopotamians. There is not much point in doing so, firstly because of politeness and a respectful attitude towards other people´s beliefs.
Secondly, Post-Mesopotamians did a mighty disservice to the Land of The Twin Rivers in their holy writs, so I tend to give no space for them in Gateways.
No, this is not the one eye for an eye law here... why would I do such a ... stupid, joyless thing?
Thirdly and much more relevant, there is so much to do to retrieve the real Wisdom of our Soul Ancestors that ... why bother with Mesopotamia´s worse critics?
One can refer to Mesopotamia to understand Post-Mesopotamians, but not the other way round...
From the Depths and To the Heights to share in all spheres
Re: Wisdom is a many splendored thing...
Wow!
First of all, your first response was delightful, and your second, noted...
I consider myself chastised... and contrite.
I should have considered the effect of my post more carefully.
Not everyone seeks out confrontation like I seem to.
Once again, you direct and shape the Twin Rivers path without drowning the crops.
Also, I have no knowledge of Cabala, but with delicious references like these I definitely feel
compelled to remedy the situation...
I like your continued comparisons/analyses of Enki & Inanna. They have always been my favorite pair. I agree wholeheartedly that Inanna did not steal the ME from Enki...
Enki was simply clever enough to contrive a situation in which he could aid Inanna, and humans, and not lose face in the assembly of the gods. And got drunk with a goddess to boot! He is my hero!
Besides, I'm sure he had the ME backed up on disk.
And Inanna seemed to know exactly all the right things to do... Perhaps they had a grift going on betwixt them and the other gods?
This situation has all the earmarks of a situation contrived to his advantage, like when he helped Ziusudra build the boat/submarine by talking to a wall, that just happened to be hiding Ziusudra...
He had sworn that he would not help mankind, but he didn't swear Z wouldn't figure out how to help himself.
I think this 'literal-mindedness' and technically accurate but blatantly manipulative nature is one of
Enki's most endearing qualities.
It truly makes his 'Master Engineer' title very accurate.
A personal observation: good engineers/hackers quite often direct their creative talents to their own ends,
quietly subverting authority, but usually effecting a better reality for all.
Re: Wisdom is a many splendored thing...
No harm done
I am just being a bit territorial... Post-Mesopotamians never gave The Land Between the Twin Rivers much space.
This is our Gateways board, thus it is OUR space. For Our Tradition.
Great books with chapters on Wisdom as the Divine Feminine:
1. Matthews, Caitlín (1991) Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom: The Divine Feminine from Black Goddess to World Soul. London, Mandala (Harper Collins). This book, together with The Western Way (by Caitlín and John), was paramount for me to choose Caitlín and John Matthews as my Companions in the Mysteries. I had met John personally by then. Was reading his "Gawain", when he came to me and asked whether I was enjoying the book during my second pagan event. I did not know who he was, but surely said something ecstatic about the book He said he had written it. So there was no doubt in my mind who were going to be my instructors two months later ... My copy of "Sophia" is signed too! Naturally!!! It is a fave volume!!! Hardback!
2. Professor Frymer-Kensky also has a lovely chapter on Wisdom, the Lover of Men, from the OT perspective, in "In the Wake of the Goddesses".
3. Asphodel (sp) Long´s In a chariot drawn by Lions. Sorry, don´t have the book near me, but it is a gem as well. Not very expensive, studies the Divine Feminine in ANE and ... it is also one of the first books I read on the Feminine as Divine Wisdom.
4. Finally, Baring, Anne and Cashford, Jules (1991) The Myth of the Goddess: evolution of an image. London, Arkana (Penguin Books) - this last one is a fantastic study on the evolution of the Goddess through the ages. The chapter on Inanna/Ishtar is extensive and yes, I devoured its 780+ pages. Perhaps the most complete book on the Divine Feminine in print. For the serious and committed. Small print and lavishly illustrated. Incidentally, it was a half gift from Caroline Wise of Atlantis bookshop I used to be so broke and ... used up all the money I had for books instead of food. Caroline W did it half price for me... might have been the second time I went to Atlantis. For those who don´t know, Atlantis Bookshop is the oldest occult bookshop in the world, and is located in Museum Street, London.
From the Depths and To the Heights to share in all spheres
Because when Inanna conquers the ME, She gives them all to Her people... and Uruk becomes then an ally to Enridu, Enki´s place. 
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