In the context of the Upanishads, the term vidyā (Sanskrit: विद्या) means “knowledge,” “learning,” or “wisdom.” In Vedantic philosophy, particularly within the Upanishads, vidyā refers to spiritual knowledge or insight that leads to liberation (moksha). The plural “vidyās” generally refers to different methods, disciplines, or approaches to attaining higher knowledge and self-realization.
This divine attribute, in its full and pure embodiment, is crucial to navigating the world of experience. The principal attributes are: pure perception, discernment of truth, and neutral witnessing. The generosity of the source is displayed by supplying us with these tools to return home (the seat of pure existence), thought detachment, truth, and equanimity.
By having the ability to witness your own pure existence, the seeker is freed from any illusion and sense of mortality. For that, it requires a meditative process to work with the different types of illusion, as well as the management of the light released from each purification.
Vidya is related to the permission of a great state of neutrality, involvement with, and linking of diverse truths in one single unit of equanimity and paradox. In its highest expression, this center embodies the capacity to accept and integrate contradictions, paradoxes, and the full spectrum of human experience without being pulled into extremes. True wisdom, in this sense, is not about choosing sides or clinging to fixed positions, but about remaining open, receptive, and unshaken amidst the ever-changing currents of life. At the same time, and with a paradoxical approach, the individual who has mastered the satvidya (pure truth) is involved in life; they participate actively in the design of their own creation and use the ups and downs as a learning tool.
When someone is rooted in Vidya, they can witness the world with compassionate neutrality. They perceive the deeper connections beneath surface-level differences, finding unity in diversity. Their serenity is not a denial of pain or conflict, but a recognition that all things are transient and interconnected. Such individuals often serve as mediators, guides, or sages in their communities, offering insight that transcends dualistic thinking. They are able to listen deeply and respond with discernment, rather than react impulsively. This approach fosters authentic relationships, mutual respect, and a sense of inner peace.
It is essential to acknowledge the role of this center and the tools it provides to reconnect with our true nature. We must learn to observe each layer of our experiences, our soul’s trajectory, and the nature of our spirit with paradoxical and compassionate perception.
Our ability to perceive and use perception as a guide to deep relaxation is truly the gift of the center of wisdom.
The method of Vidya is Vidyās:
All aspects of vidyas involve teachings, meditations, and practices that reveal the truth of existence, or the existence without conditions, without definitions, without senses, without mind, without a physical body, and without time or space. It is the ultimate reality, the source of all things, or the absolute. We can highlight some key points of Vidyas.
* Vidyās are practical teachings, often in the form of analogies, meditations, or rituals, that reveal deeper spiritual truths.
* They are not just intellectual knowledge, but transformative insights gained through contemplation, meditation, and realization. They are provided in measurement and in accordance with the candidate’s capacity and availability.
* Each Upanishad may present several vidyās, each illuminating a different aspect of the absolute or the path to liberation.
* In the correction of the center of wisdom, there are steps that each candidate needs to master, for example, the candidate needs to detach from body sensations ( I am not my body), contemplations, and special initiation of the paradox of individual existence, detachment from definitions, and training the mind in paradoxical thinking.
* Vidyas also teach Avidya, or lower knowledge that pertains to the phenomenal world and does not lead to liberation.
Distortions in the power of Vidya.
Each human brain possesses a unique capacity for perception that is shaped by both individual and collective experiences. For example, a child lacks the cognitive and emotional development to understand or process experiences related to sexuality. Across the course of our evolution as a species and through the history of various civilizations, our nervous systems have encountered a vast array of experiences—some that could be successfully assimilated and integrated, and others that exceeded our perceptual or cultural capacity at the time.
Consider, for instance, indigenous groups in the Peruvian forest who have had little or no contact with modern civilization. When they are suddenly confronted with external cultural norms that challenge their traditional ways—such as their comfort with nudity and natural living—they may experience internal conflict and confusion. They might respond by resisting these new values and defending their own beliefs and customs, or conversely, by internalizing outside judgment and beginning to view their own ways as wrong or shameful.
The introduction of judgment into fundamentally innocent minds can lead to misinterpretations, distortions, and consequences that undermine our natural attributes and authenticity. This phenomenon reflects a broader process in the trajectory of human evolution: as we encounter unfamiliar experiences or cultural pressures, our minds often default to self-blame, condemnation, and a perceived sense of exile or separation from our original source of belonging.
When these beliefs travel through incarnations and remain unchecked, our behavior, personality, and relationships adopt a low way of expressing the magnificent gift of right perception.
The primary distortion of this center arises when the mind draws conclusions that serve to mask the pain of separation from pure existence. In this state, the personality and ego strive to present themselves as flawless, elevating the self-image to that of perfection. The energy stored in the pineal and pituitary glands is then channeled toward forcing the body’s innate wisdom into conformity, demanding perfection at any cost. This relentless pursuit of an ideal self leads to suppression and rigidity throughout the being.
“The Exalted One” archetype can be found reflected in all four “earth bodies”: the physical body, the etheric (or energetic) body, the emotional body, and the mental body. In the physical body, this may manifest as tension or attempts to control and perfect appearance or function. In the etheric body, it can manifest as disruptions in the natural flow of relationships. In the emotional body, there is often a suppression or denial of authentic feelings in favor of maintaining an image of composure. Within the mental body, there may be rigid thought patterns and a constant drive for unattainable standards.
This distortion ultimately pulls the individual further from their true essence, reinforcing the pain of separation and perpetuating cycles of self-judgment and striving.
Conversely, the limited belief system in the power of wisdom is to use the center of reclusion as a means of refusing to take responsibility. Here, the pursuit of detachment becomes a defensive strategy rather than a doorway to true understanding. The individual chooses to believe that if they remain removed, aloof, and withdrawn from others, they will remain unaffected by life’s problems and feel safe and secure. This can manifest as emotional numbness, avoidance of difficult situations, and a reluctance to engage with the messiness of human relationships. While there may be a superficial appearance of calm or positivity, this state is often maintained by suppressing uncomfortable emotions and denying vulnerability.
With this limited belief, the person tends to view the world through rose-colored glasses, insisting that “everything is fine” or “there’s no problem,” even in the face of obvious difficulties. They exalt the expression of positivity of the center of wisdom, equating wisdom with emotional distance and unflappable composure. This belief creates an idealized self-image that dictates:
• Always looking benign and detachedly at all human beings
• Never being affected by others’ weaknesses or good qualities
• Always being just
• Always being objective
• Always being independent
• Never commit yourself, especially to relationships that represent a threat to being seen with faults.
• Always seeing both sides of the conflict
• Never showing real emotions
This limited belief creates pride in qualities such as:
• Not being affected by conflict
• Detachment
• Being objective
• Independence from emotional attachments
• Being responsible
However, this pride often masks deeper insecurities and unmet needs. In the eyes of others, individuals operating from this limited belief may feel shame in:
• Being affected
• Needing the love of others
• Involvement and commitment
• Interdependence
They may perceive these qualities as weaknesses, even though they are essential aspects of authentic human connection. The pressure to maintain an image of invulnerability can lead to isolation, loneliness, and a lack of genuine intimacy with others.
At the heart of the distortion of wisdom lies a profound sense of pain, confusion, and inner chaos. This pain often stems from attempts to conceal or protect an inner child—one who feels deeply isolated and is torn between the conflicting impulses of aggression and submission in an effort to have their emotional needs fulfilled. Such a person experiences ongoing internal division, with their psyche caught in a perpetual struggle between opposing forces. Underneath the surface, these unresolved emotions are rooted in the experience of not being loved, feeling rejected, wounded, or let down by others.
The personality, in response, constructs a façade of objectivity and independence, striving to appear above the fray of human vulnerability. However, beneath this carefully maintained exterior, a powerful and persistent longing for genuine acceptance, connection, and belonging endures. This dynamic not only perpetuates the cycle of inner conflict and disconnection but also inhibits the full expression of wisdom’s true, compassionate power.
This dynamic is not uncommon in cultures or families where emotional expression is discouraged or where vulnerability is equated with weakness. Over time, the suppression of genuine feelings can result in emotional numbness, chronic dissatisfaction, and a sense of alienation from oneself and others. The journey toward true wisdom, then, requires the courage to face and integrate these disowned parts of the self—to acknowledge the pain, confusion, and longing that underlie the mask of detachment.
In practical terms, moving toward Vidya involves following the Vidyas design for correcting right perception, thought meditation, discrimination, and sincerity. It is also helpful to practice:
* Cultivating self-awareness: Recognizing when detachment is a defense mechanism rather than a state of wisdom.
* Embracing vulnerability: Allowing oneself to feel and express genuine emotions, even at the risk of being affected or hurt.
* Practicing compassionate engagement: Balancing neutrality with empathy, so that wisdom does not become cold or disconnected.
* Seeking unity in diversity: Honoring both the similarities and differences among people, and finding common ground without erasing individuality.
* Accepting responsibility: Recognizing that true wisdom includes the willingness to be present and accountable, even in challenging situations.
By integrating these principles, the power of wisdom can be transformed from a shield that keeps the world at bay into a bridge that fosters connection, understanding, and healing. The exalted state is not one of empty detachment, but of vibrant presence—fully engaged with life, yet anchored in inner peace and clarity.