First experiences with the Wisdom Wheel can be overwhelming. There is a lot to learn and much to understand. But once we tackle the challenge of learning the basics, the rewards are limitless.

I’ve witnessed many Wisdom Wheel students accomplish astonishing personal growth, maturing intellectually, emotionally and spiritually. Sometimes they didn’t realize their progress until a crisis struck and they could see how differently they responded, compared to the past or to others.

Working with the Wisdom Wheel steadies people in significant, measurable ways.

The Wisdom Wheel is many things: a tool for individual growth, community development, a focusing agent to aid people in defining their values, goals and relationships. It’s a conversation starter.

I like to present it as a map to guide us on an inner journey through the uncharted territory of the self. This can be as emotionally challenging and intellectually demanding as any physical journey. Our experience includes Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Catholics, atheists and agnostics as well as people of all ages, educations and socio-economic levels. We work to include guidance from all faiths, many philosophers and different spiritual leaders.

The Wheel coaxes us beyond our current borders of beliefs and behaviors. Otherwise we’d gain nothing. Why go on a trip without adventure and excitement? Braving difficulties helps us find out what our Self is made of. When we conquer the sense of limitation and make a commitment to inner growth, we see much progress.

People might use different words or terms to describe their personal values, but time has shown us that these basic principles build a common ground among all kinds of people. The Wisdom Wheel and its 36 Laws are a forum for sharing the wisdom each and every one of us has accumulated in our lifetimes.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, don’t worry. Most of us feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the Wheel initially. Over time, you’ll come to recognize universal patterns and organize complicated knowledge into practical, and most importantly, applicable wisdom.

The Wheel of Life will be turning anyway. We might as well travel deliberately. As we circle around it, we make our Choices. We can stay in a rut, at the same level of being, doing and comprehending or — seize the upward spiral. To evolve means to experience each rotation at a higher rung of existence: knowing more, loving more, being more. Start the journey now.