Learning With Open Minds

 

 

"The art of being wise

is the art of knowing

what to overlook."

 

William James

 

 

I enjoy people who think for themselves and who are not easily swayed.  Those who have challenged and questioned their thoughts make for interesting conversations.  It is not so much the information a person shares, but rather their thinking process or how they arrived there.  To offer an open mind without the need of judgement, allows for deeper listening.  Sometimes one can even hear what is not being said.

 

What appeals to me, is the situation to be stimulated by diverse thinking, not so much to agree or disagree, but to experience the authenticity of an other.  Whether gathered information resonates with me or not, is second nature.

 

It does not seem correct to me when we explore only that which we already know and close our minds to what we are not familiar.  At gatherings, there can be a person who is highly educated in one particular field.  To me, it seems as though he can get pompous, condescending, rigid, and not open to difference in opinion.  It is by far a better experience to be with a well versed scholar who has opened personal studies to  opposing views so he or she can truly defend their personal truth.  With an open mind, the scholar can listen and not be threatened.  He or she is much more likely to agree to disagree, honoring and respecting each voice.

 

The human experience is all about witnessing others  and following our passion.  Our passion is usually slowly kindled until it can be expanded into a fire in the belly.  When we are certain with body, mind, and spirit, we are more likely to impact each other with our wisdom.  We will never all agree, nor were we necessarily meant to.   It is the wise one who knows what to overlook without righteousness or judgement.