how to become smarter

a few years ago i attended a Buddhist talk by two Thai monks. One of them shared that one becomes smarter practicing Buddhism. Well,.. i was puzzled that time. How can one be actually smarter practicing Buddhism? Is this just another talk on blind faith?! Or is this a joke?

a few years on, i think i got it! ;-)

true increase of intelligence is not. but cultivating a calm and clear mind for optimal thinking it is! we all know our intelligence or IQ is more or less fixed by the time we go to school.. so how can we improve or increase our so-called intelligence further? Effective thinking is the answer!

And how do we develop effective thinking? One method is thru Buddhist practice. First, understand the 4 noble truths and emptiness, followed by practicing meditation - mindful & subject focused. By understanding the 4 noble truths and emptiness, you would have understood life. Therefore, you become less attached to things surrounding you. And if you practice meditation, you would develop a calm and clear mind for effective thinking that's objective and rationale without distraction and bias.

Poor thinkers are usually distracted by personal desire, fear and greed. When one is rid of all those things, one becomes just and objective in thinking.. and thus, seemed smarter.. when he or she is just becoming a more effective thinker in reality. ;P