Open Minded or being unprejudiced
A word or couple of words that do have a lot of meaning. In general, it means being open to new ideas.
Sounds good, no?! I want to believe I am open to new ideas. But am I? And is there such thing as a new idea?
Marc Twain once wrote:
“There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely, but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages”
So we are touching two areas: Are their new ideas and are we open to them
An idea in itself is non-matter, fictional, impalpable.
A new idea can only come from the things we already know, consciously or not, does not matter.
Even the idea that there may be another planet with life forms, comes from the knowledge that there are other planets, solar systems, a universe.
Without knowledge, it is not possible to create a viable new idea.
Any idea for a book has a seed inside us or is derived from outside inspiration.
Then there are old ideas, of which most crystalize into facts, reality, actuality, realness, verity, matter.
Old ideas tend to feed our belief system. Our very own truth system.
So the new idea has to withstand and cross the boundaries of our existing belief system to allow new ideas to either alter an old belief (old idea) or create a new string in our belief system.
Is it that simple?
Yes, it is, while we begin to start touching the ego here, which is a whole new world and shall be addressed in another post. We can not leave it out completely though.
If a new idea is allowed to pass the boundaries of our belief system depends on one of several circumstances.
-Are we relaxed, we can at least listen to the new idea and contemplate it.
-Are we drunk, then we are usually very susceptible
-Are we under emotional distress, we might be open to new ideas to resolve the situation more easily
-Are we feeling inferior, we are open to suggestions
-Are we feeling superior, we won`t care too much for new ideas, or maybe want to be magnanimous
-Are we feeling grounded/centered, then we are very open to any new idea
None of the circumstances matter if we can not connect the new idea with an emotion, an emotion strong enough to also alter the old idea.
And that’s where it gets tricky in our day-to-day lives. We are very little connected with our emotions, not that we don`t have them, but they are more effectual, or routine behavior. We notice them but have already reacted to them.
When we enter a discussion and are not connected with our emotions, we believe the system will supersede an open-door response. It can be the person, the subject, the surrounding, our momentary condition, our expectation and so on that will stop us from allowing a new idea to alter our old idea or create a new belief. It will defend the old idea (belief) system with any means.
And this is happening more today than ever
Being connected with our emotions, grounded, is the most effective way to learn and relearn.
What is true today may not be true tomorrow!
Let`s Talk about it!
Namaste
Armaan
