Transcending Boundaries
Tools for Clear Vision, Objectivity, and Growth
Like all people, I have opinions, viewpoints, and perspectives that span across a variety of topics. These thoughts are not isolated; they’ve been shaped by a host of influences—parents, relatives, friends, enemies, and even strangers. Every conversation, encounter, and interaction molds the lens through which I see the world. I realize that, despite my best intentions to be fair and impartial, I am operating through filters. These filters color how I view myself, others, and the world around me. The challenge, then, is how to clear my vision and see the world for what it is, not just how I’ve been conditioned to see it.
There are centuries of philosophical teachings, psychological theories, and historical research that explain the how and why our minds develop these filters. Scholars like Plato and Kant have explored the limits of perception and understanding. Psychology has delved into cognitive biases, and history has shown how societal structures influence our thinking. While these frameworks are valuable for understanding the origins of our mental filters, my focus here is not to re-examine why or how they form. Instead, I want to explore the practical tools I can use in everyday life to challenge, dismantle, and overcome these filters—so I can become a more objective, tolerant, and productive individuals.
Recognizing My Filters
My first step toward achieving clarity is recognizing that we all see the world through a set of pre-existing filters. These filters are shaped by our experiences, upbringing, and social conditioning. Acknowledging their presence is crucial because they affect how we perceive others and interpret events. This is where mindfulness becomes a powerful tool.
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of the present moment, including your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations, without passing judgment on them. It allows us to observe the biases and judgments that surface as we encounter different situations. But, rather than immediately reacting, mindfulness teaches us to create space between our thoughts and our responses.
For example, if we find ourself feeling frustrated, angry, or defensive in a conversation, mindfulness encourages us to pause and reflect. Instead of jumping to conclusions or letting our emotions dictate our reaction, we take a step back and ask ourself: Why am I feeling this way? Is my reaction coming from the present moment, or is it being filtered through my past experiences or assumptions?
This non-reactive awareness provides the opportunity to see our filters and biases in action, giving us the chance to question them and, ultimately, approach situations with a clearer, more objective perspective. Over time, this practice of mindfulness helps us dismantle and overcome our automatic judgments and allows for a more balanced, thoughtful response. When we can identify the filters that cloud our vision, we foster a deeper sense of clarity and understanding.
Option: Start with just 5-10 minutes of mindfulness meditation each day. Focus on your breath and notice when thoughts arise. Acknowledge them without judgment, and then gently bring your focus back to your breath.
Mindfulness meditation, often referred to as "our happy place," is a mental practice that brings us back to a state of calm and clarity. It’s not about escaping reality or avoiding problems; it’s about fully engaging with the present moment in a peaceful and non-judgmental way.
In the hustle of daily life, our thoughts are often scattered—jumping between worries about the future, regrets about the past, or reacting to the pressures around us. This can cloud our judgment and intensify our emotional responses, leaving us feeling overwhelmed. Mindfulness meditation offers a reprieve from that constant mental chatter, bringing us into a space of quiet observation. Think of it as hitting the reset button for our mind.
When we practice mindfulness, we enter our "happy place" not by eliminating stress, but by changing how we relate to it. We focus on our breath, observe our thoughts as they come and go, and notice our feelings without trying to judge or change them. This simple act of awareness reduces our anxiety, improves our concentration, and gives us a fresh perspective on the challenges we encounter.
Ultimately, mindfulness is about reclaiming a sense of inner peace, no matter what’s happening around us. It helps us develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our reactions, making life feel a little lighter, a little more balanced, and—yes—a lot happier.
Mindfulness is the practice that brings "Be Here Now" to life. It involves paying deliberate attention to what’s happening around and within us—our thoughts, emotions, sensations—without judgment.
Mindfulness and the concept of "Be Here Now" are closely related, both emphasizing the importance of living fully in the present moment. "Be Here Now," is about grounding ourselves in the present instead of getting lost in the past or future. It’s the idea that the only reality we truly experience is this moment, and by focusing on it, we can connect with life more deeply and meaningfully.
Questioning Your Thoughts
Once we’re aware of our filters, the next step is to challenge them. Just because we’ve been taught something doesn’t make it universally true. Our minds often cling to narratives that serve to protect our worldview, even if those narratives are outdated or even inaccurate.
To challenge these assumptions, we must adopt a curious mindset. When we find ourselves making a judgment or assumption, ask: What evidence do I have to support this? Could there be another perspective?
For example, If we find ourselves making a sweeping generalization about a group of people or a situation, it’s important to pause and dig deeper. Are we basing this belief on our own personal experience, or have we absorbed it from external influences like the media, our upbringing, or societal norms? By regularly questioning our assumptions, we can begin to confront the foundations of our opinions and uncover any biases that shape our worldview.
However, while this process may be conceptually straightforward, it can be emotionally difficult and uncomfortable to practice. Challenging long-held beliefs forces us to confront parts of ourselves that we may not even be aware of—our unconscious biases, stereotypes, and prejudices. It’s uncomfortable because it asks us to admit that we may have been wrong, that we may have hurt others (or ourselves) by clinging to oversimplified ideas. Our egos resist this change because it feels like a threat to the identity we’ve built around these beliefs.
But discomfort is a necessary part of growth. When we confront these feelings, we open the door to greater empathy, understanding, and objectivity. Over time, the discomfort lessens as we learn to sit with uncertainty, reflect on our inner world, and make space for new, more nuanced perspectives. It's through this ongoing, sometimes uncomfortable, self-inquiry that we ultimately move toward a more balanced and fair way of seeing the world.
The emotional difficulty in this practice is a reminder that growth requires patience and self-compassion. It’s not about punishing ourselves for having biases but about striving for greater awareness and working toward a deeper understanding of others and the world around us.
"Don't judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins."
This proverb, often attributed to various Native American tribes, particularly the Cheyenne, conveys a powerful message about empathy and understanding. The essence of this saying is that one should not criticize or form judgments about another person or group without first understanding their experiences, challenges, and perspective in life
Empathy is a powerful tool for breaking through your filters. When you make a conscious effort to understand the emotions, experiences, and perspectives of others, you start to see the world from angles you may never have considered before. Empathy isn’t just about feeling sympathy for someone else’s struggles; it’s about placing yourself in their shoes and attempting to view the world through their lens.
For instance, if you’re in a disagreement with someone, instead of focusing on defending your viewpoint, take a moment to really listen to what they are saying. Try to understand their motivations and experiences. Doing so can soften your immediate reactions and lead to more productive conversations.
Option: When someone shares their thoughts or feelings, practice active listening. Don’t interrupt or immediately plan your response. Give them space to fully express themselves before you respond.?
Broadening Your Horizons
One of the best ways to dismantle an internal filters is through continuous learning. The more you expose yourself to different perspectives, cultures, and ideas, the more flexible your worldview becomes. This isn’t about abandoning your core beliefs but about allowing them to evolve as you encounter new information.
Read books or articles from authors with differing perspectives. Engage in conversations with people who come from different backgrounds. Watch documentaries or attend events that challenge your usual way of thinking. The goal is to remain open to new ideas while maintaining a critical, questioning mindset.
Option: Set a goal to read one book or article each month that challenges your current viewpoint on a particular topic. Make sure you choose sources that are well-researched and credible to ensure you’re getting a nuanced perspective.
Taking Time to Reassess
After all is said and done, regular reflection is crucial to your journey toward clear vision and objectivity. Taking the time to look back on your interactions, thoughts, and growth allows you to see how far you’ve come—and how far you still have to go.
Create a habit of journaling or simply setting aside time for quiet reflection each week. Use this time to evaluate your progress: Have I been more mindful in my judgments? Have I actively tried to understand others' viewpoints? Where am I still struggling with certain biases?
Reflection is not about perfection but about progress. It’s a continual process of learning, unlearning, and growing.
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"Reflection is not about perfection" reminds us that the purpose of reflecting on our actions, thoughts, and experiences is not to achieve flawlessness but to engage in self-awareness and growth. Reflection allows us to understand our strengths and weaknesses, learn from our experiences, and strive for improvement, rather than aim for an unattainable state of perfection.
Embracing the Journey of Clarity
Our filters are inevitable—there’s no escaping the influences of our upbringing, society, or personal experiences. However, by using tools like mindfulness, empathy, and continuous learning, we can clear our vision and become more objective, tolerant, and productive in our daily lives. It’s an ongoing journey, but every step forward brings us closer to a clearer, more compassionate view of the world.
The beauty of this process is that as we challenge our own perspectives, we not only enrich ourselves but also create the space for deeper connections and understanding with others. It’s a path worth walking—one that leads to both personal growth and a more harmonious existence.
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Mindfulness Meditation Reduces Implicit Age and Race Bias: The Role of Reduced Automaticity of Responding - Adam Lueke, Bryan Gibson, 2015 ( sagepub.com )
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