Books Quote by Mark Votava
““Richard Rohr states in one of my favorite books The Naked Now: Wisdom is not the gathering of more facts and information, as if that would eventually coalesce into truth. Wisdom is precisely a different way of seeing and knowing those ten thousand things. I suggest that wisdom is precisely the freedom to be present. Wise people always know how to be present, but it is much more then that. Presence is wisdom! People who are fully present know how to see fully, rightfully, and truthfully. Presence is the one thing necessary, and in many ways, the hardest thing of all. Just try to keep your heart open, your mind without division or resistance, and your body not somewhere else. Presence is the practical, daily task of all mature religion and all spiritual disciplines.47””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Naked Now by Richard Rohr, 2015
Wisdom is not accumulating facts but a way of seeing that requires full presence; being truly present lets us perceive reality clearly and truthfully.
In simple terms: Wisdom is seeing clearly through full presence.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate present‑moment awareness.
Themes
spirituality
presence
wisdom
mindfulness
Mood
calm
reflective
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meditation
- daily work
- relationships
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
consciousness
perception
truth
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you notice when you are not fully present?
- What practices help keep your heart open?
A Different Perspective
Presence can be disrupted by mental chatter and emotional resistance.
