“A spoon does not know the taste of soup, nor a learned fool the taste of wisdom” (Proverb)
What does “tasting wisdom” mean to you as a coach? I invite you to take a moment to truly consider this. You may want to close your eyes, let the words settle, and see if you can feel into that question rather than just think about it. How does it land? What images, memories, or sensations arise? What’s the feeling that you experience?
For me, as I write this, it’s a quiet heartfelt feeling. I’m aware of the words that seem to be writing themselves on the page without me having to figure out what will come next. Despite the fact it’s not the warmest of December days there’s an internal glow, as if sat basking in the sun, taking a moment to let things just pass me by, knowing that if anything urgent needs my attention I’d notice it and do it without a doubt. There’s an ease to it as I metaphorically look towards the space where creativity comes from and what is going to arrive, rather than how I’ve described things in the past.
There’s what may seem a subtle but profound difference between feeling the taste of wisdom in the present moment and merely remembering words that describe it. When wisdom is truly tasted, it’s alive, fresh, and resonant. When it’s only remembered, it can feel like reciting a recipe without ever preparing the dish.
In what ways might your “spoon” moments have shaped your coaching style? Those times when you were observing, detached, or perhaps stuck in your intellect, rather than deeply present and connected?
When I first began coaching, those “tasting wisdom” moments often surprised me. It would come at those times when I’d stopped listening to any of my own internal dialogue, analysing how I was doing as a coach and wondering about what was the “correct” question to ask next. I’d be deeply present, quietly listening to a client, and a question would emerge from my mouth that left me wondering, Where did that come from? It didn’t seem to come from me — or at least not the analytical, thinking me. In those moments, my intellect felt like it had taken a step back, and something gentler and wiser had stepped forward. Perhaps you recognise the experience?
For me, “tasting wisdom” often feels like being entirely immersed in the present, where thoughts quieten and there’s a deep sense of clarity. It’s as though I’ve tapped into a stream of understanding far greater than myself, yet at the same time, intimately familiar. There’s a feeling of lightness, ease, and connection that accompanies it — not just to the client, but to something broader, something infinite. It’s less about finding the right words or solutions and more about simply being with what arises in that moment.
Over time, I’ve grown more comfortable with that gentle listening, letting my intellect take a back seat, learning the feel of when a question wants to be asked, even though there’s no apparent logical basis for why that would be the next question, and watching a client have a “lightbulb” moment as they see something new. When I’m coaching from this place, it often feels like a (re)connection to something vast and infinite. Yet, even as I describe it with those words, I notice they don’t quite capture the essence of the experience. What seems more accurate, at least for me now, is to speak of recognising and noticing the feeling of that connection.
As I’ve leaned into this approach, my coaching style has evolved into something gentler, more transformative, and nurturing. It’s less about guiding clients with intellect and more about pointing them towards their own innate wisdom. This shift has been deeply rewarding, not just for my clients but for me as a coach. For me, there’s something really special about this work and being with someone as they come to see their own worth and potential for themselves.
How do you know when a client has moved from intellectual understanding to a deeper insight? There’s a distinct feeling in the room (or on the call). It’s as if something settles, softens, or clicks into place. Often, the client’s tone changes. Their words may slow down if they’ve been really churned up with their thinking, and there’s a sense of something deeper arising. Sometimes there’s a dramatic “Oh,” maybe laughing at themselves or the situation. There may even be tears as delight is expressed.
There’s no set external response, but it is really noticeable when a deeper insight takes place. Insight doesn’t need to be explained or justified; it simply is. And in those moments, it’s clear that the soup of wisdom has been tasted — not by the spoon, but by the heart and soul.
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach dedicated to empowering individuals to get out of their own way and make a meaningful impact in the world. Coaching from a space of gentle presence and deep connection to wisdom, Jen helps clients uncover their innate clarity and potential. With nearly two decades of experience, her nurturing yet impactful style allows clients to move beyond self-doubt and experience transformative insights.
Discover how Jen can support you in tasting the wisdom within yourself here.