critical thinking: self-awareness and flexibility
To think critically is to risk being wrong.
It is an act of self-awareness, curiosity, humility, and compassion.
Like all habits, it takes practice to create new ones.
As humans, it is very hard to admit that we don’t really know much, especially when it comes to other humans, their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Without awareness of the gaps we are filling with our own truths, they can get pretty large. It is difficult to become open-minded and self-aware enough to explore how we could be wrong and become flexible enough to accept new truths. It is a courageous act to become critical of our own thinking. We need a foundation of being loved and being enough to face this level of humility head on. If we don’t have that level of self-love and acceptance, we may need someone else to create that kind of safe space.
The times I have been most wrong about something or someone were the times I was so sure.
When we commit to this work, the payoff is becoming more authentically and deeply connected to ourselves and to each other. In my opinion, when participating in a world full of misunderstandings, conflicts, and division, without this foundational practice, we are more likely to contribute to the problems than be part of the solutions.
We don’t know what we don’t know AND we don’t know how wrong we can be about what we are so sure about.
We may need to look more critically at our thinking;
if we find ourselves stuck in patterns that aren’t bringing us joy,
if we find ourselves unable to get beyond repeating behaviors we know aren’t working for us,
if we stay in a state of stress, anger, frustration, or fear.
Here are some methods to try:
Practice alone with a journal (Manage your level of curiosity with self-love, some of these truths can be gut punches to the ego!):
Make a list of questions, get curious about your beliefs, about what you are sure is true.
What if I am wrong about _________________________
What if _____________ doesn’t think _______________
What if _____________ does care about _______________
What if I can ___________________________
What if __________________________
Take it from there and see where your thoughts and ideas take you. Hopefully, it will allow you to see other possibilities.
Practice with the support of a coach:
Starting with areas of your life that are causing the most stress, anger, frustration, or fear, we work together to shift patterns of thoughts, actions, and beliefs that no longer serve you. Depending on your personality orientation, motivations, and priorities, we select practices and prompts that work best for you right now. I currently have 3 spots available for ages 12 and up. 50 min. sessions cost $100. You pick how often/ as needed.
Practice with a group: (will launch when we have at least 10 participants)*
Sometimes we need to hear ourselves question our stories out loud in the witness of other courageous and compassionate people. Sometimes we need a small group of these witnesses to support us and hold us accountable while we commit to forming new habits.
*We need critical mass of ten courageous change agent / witnesses to launch each practice group. If you are interested in participating, please send us a note.
Practice with the BIG questions about Sacred Mystery together for Four Fridays at the Jung Center Houston:
What if our ideas about Sacred Mystery, something larger than ourselves, etc, are human fabrications that are actually keeping us from living more fully?
What if our patterns of thinking are making it more difficult for us to live with compassion and deeper connections?
What if our thoughts are keeping us from BEING whole?
What if we make space for slower, more quiet, more intentional seeking of wholeness and love?