What’s The Opposite Of A Question?
No, not an ‘answer’. I’m going to say it’s an Assumption. When you assume you know what is true or real, right or wrong, necessary or not necessary, good or bad, you bring to an end your ability to think freely.
Question Reality
Adopting an assumption negates the need for opening up to present moment awareness and the untold possibilities that are inherent in the unfolding of Reality. I know that’s a mouthful, but think about it. When you assume, your critical thinking & inquisitive mind just stop.
When I look deeply into the concept of “assumption” it starts to look more and more limiting. Conventional wisdom encourages us to define ourselves and determine our beliefs. On the other hand, an open inquisitive mind and heart allow us to explore and learn and change.
What causes us to cling to our assumptions and suffer the subsequent loss of childlike inquisitiveness and wonder and freedom?
The Fragile Sense of Self
The more fragile our sense of self is, the less we feel the freedom to explore new possibilities. Our ego – (the lizard brain part) can become defensive and fearful and narrow-minded. This protective stance we fall into is a direct link to our lizard brain which is always on the watch to protect anything we are identified with. All of us have this tendency to protect “our truth”, but you see it most profoundly in fundamentalism of any type. Tribal beliefs are difficult to question because of the social pressure to conform. If you question your tribe’s belief system, you run the danger of rejection. This fear of rejection is tied to ours survival because as a child we are dependent on our tribe (family) for survival.
Eventually, we can become fundamentally convinced that ‘we are the way we are’ and that’s that. “That’s just the way I am” is a well-worn axiom (but not necessarily the truth). This need to stabilize and establish a sense of self and a belief system that makes “sense” of the world is universal as well as damning. Why? I’m glad you asked. See how questions lead to discovery? Assumptions are damning because they completely squelch your inquisitive nature. In order to change and grow, your ability to question “who or what you are” must be intact.
Loss of Childhoods Inquisitive Nature
It only takes a few minutes of observing a young child to see this deep inquisitive nature manifesting. We all had it at one time. We all could use more of it. We wouldn’t be so quick to judge or assume anything. So how can we get this inquiring attitude back?
Two ways to begin. First, I always recommend a consistent practice of integration of childhood trauma. This childhood imprinting on your lizard brain is what keeps you stuck, limited and believing things that do not line up with Reality. I describe a step-by-step program for doing this in my book; “If You Have Buttons, You’re A Robot“. It’s a short how-to guide to tame your lizard brain. Second, question everything.
Question Everything
I’m sure you’ve heard this. I believe I first entertained this truth-revealing directive while studying Nisargadatta. I think he coined the phrase. It has served me well to practice this consistently. To get back in the groove of childlike appreciation and wonder questioning helps a lot. In a self-reflective way, look at your assumptions and ask simple questions like; Is it true? Why do I believe this? Why do they / he / she believe this? How does my stance on this issue contribute to my identity? Is it necessary to define myself this way? Just a few to get you going. Via con Dios.
Thank you for your work.
As an artist I lost the need to conform a long time ago. And, I settled on science to know the knowable which changes over time to better information so you have to be adaptable, and the need for real evidence (Hand Marked Paper Ballots & Hand Counted Paper Ballots, Paper Polling Books, Count & post in precinct to compare with reports at state level) in elections to prove our democracy which means trusting regular people to solve the big problems we now face threatening our very survival.
Yet, I can still be fooled at times which causes me to change and self examine. Trying to shift behavior for different results now. Difficult when you have to make up your own path.
Recently saw Michio Kaku on c-span who had wonderful ideas:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?511929-2/the-god-equation
To paraphrase:
So I think that the destiny of humanity is to find the Theory of Everything. That is our destiny.
Now, what about our destiny as individuals?
The purpose of life is a struggle to find your destiny. Our meaning is to struggle to find it....In other words, we create our own destiny. Our destiny is created by us because we struggle to find it.
Good.