How Do You Know If You Are Really Open Minded?

 

“Truth can be understood only thru understanding of the opposites” – Okakura Kakuzo

“Only because you don’t believe in something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”

Is it possible to be perfectly open minded? And what does it mean anyway?

We adapt or create our own belief system based on our experiences and our life’s meaning is attached to it.

That is not something we will give up only because we hear something new and contradicting. And being open minded is not about replacing one life’s philosophy with another every second week. It doesn’t mean that you give up discernment. To listen without evaluating and to accept – are two separate things.

Open-mindedness – the way I see it:

• is about listening without evaluating;
• it’s about willingness to take an idea under consideration, to view things from others’ perspective.
• the willingness to detach for a moment from our own convictions may be the most important in practicing open-mindedness. This, naturally – takes time and effort.

How does the practice benefit us?

(1.) Improved listening and (2.) conversation skills – which (3.)affect our relations.

(4.) Better understanding of others which (5.) dissolves habit of judging them – which (6.)  helps you to be kinder to yourself – in the end (7.) making you feeling better and more relaxed.

(8.) It may help you to stay out of trouble. Sometimes.

Do you agree? Disagree? Do you think we can be open minded all the time or can we only practice it when we are mindful? What open-mindedness is about for you?

How can we  improve our open-mindedness?