The Circle of Wisdom: Voices That Guide Me Through Life

The Circle of Wisdom: Voices That Guide Me Through Life

In the theatre of life, where the curtains rise on dilemmas and decisions each day, we all need a few steadfast voices—wise, weathered, and well-meaning—to illuminate our path. For me, these voices do not arrive with fanfare or parade titles, but rather, with the quiet strength of wisdom, earned through time, toil, and truth.

1. The Saints and Sages of Yore
Long before I sat in the Principal’s chair or put pen to paper for poetry or policy, I found myself drawn to the ancient voices—Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda, Saint Augustine, Kabir, and the quiet meditations of the Buddha. Their words are timeless, as if echoing from some sacred mountain. When the world feels too loud or my thoughts too scattered, I often leaf through their teachings. They don’t offer quick fixes, but the deeper kind of advice—on duty, detachment, compassion, and clarity.

2. The Philosophers’ Bench
When the rational mind stirs and seeks direction, I turn to Socrates, Marcus Aurelius, and Bertrand Russell. They do not provide me ready-made answers, but prod me to ask better questions. Whether it’s Stoicism in a storm or scepticism in a sermon, these thinkers teach me the power of patient inquiry and the grace of uncertainty. They remind me that sometimes, just staying still and reflecting is an act of boldness.

3. Educational Thought-Leaders
As a lifelong educator, the insights of Maria Montessori, John Dewey, and Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam have shaped not only my profession but my perspective. These thinkers have advised me silently through the chalk dust and staffroom chatter, reminding me that education is not just instruction but inspiration. Dr Kalam, especially, stands out as a beacon for those who dare to dream but are burdened by their circumstances.

4. The Literary Seers
When I need emotional resonance or a deeper understanding of the human psyche, I resort to the likes of Rabindranath Tagore, George Orwell, and R.K. Narayan. Their narratives, poems, and prose do not always offer advice in a didactic sense, but in their characters, conflicts, and conclusions, I find guidance, reflection, and sometimes, relief.

5. My Teachers and Mentors
From Jesuit Fathers who opened the doors of logic and language to me, to stalwart Headmasters and College Professors who bore the weight of my inquisitiveness with patient smiles—I carry their voices in my mind like annotated bookmarks. Their advice, sometimes curt and often candid, still echoes during my writing, planning, or mentoring.

6. The Anonymous Stranger
Odd though it may seem, I often find wisdom in unexpected conversations—with a co-traveller on a train, a shopkeeper’s honest observation, or a porter’s poetic simplicity. These ‘ordinary’ people, unadorned by fame or following, have gifted me extraordinary insight at crucial junctures. Life has its way of slipping in lessons through unnamed teachers.

7. The Inner Guide
And then, there’s the quiet counsel that rises from within—a synthesis of all the voices I’ve absorbed. Call it intuition, or perhaps the whispered mercy of the Divine. It surfaces when I least expect it but need it most. The more I listen to it, the clearer it becomes.
Advice is not merely sought; it is sensed, sifted, and sanctified through experience. The people I admire and listen to are not just repositories of knowledge—they are reflectors of truth, humility, and humanity. They don’t chart my path, but they light it just enough for me to take the next step.

As the saying goes, “A wise man learns more from a foolish question than a fool learns from a wise answer.” I choose to stay a lifelong learner, surrounded by this quiet circle of wisdom.