The Transformative Power of Reading

Reading is a timeless pleasure, an expedition that begins with the first page and continues far beyond the last word.

It's an adventure that stands on the shoulders of giants, a journey through the minds and hearts of those who have traveled further down the road of discovery, thought, and imagination.

This article explores the profound joy and enrichment that reading brings into our lives, emphasising the importance of the information and knowledge that precedes us, the art of learning by assimilating and processing, overcoming hurdles, and the necessity of approaching learning with humility and openness.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

When we delve into a book, we engage in a conversation with the past, with thinkers, dreamers, scholars, and storytellers who have left their mark on the world.

This expression, "standing on the shoulders of giants," attributed to Isaac Newton, encapsulates the essence of reading and learning. It is through the insights and understanding of those who have come before us that we are able to see further, think deeper, and dream bigger.

Books are bridges spanning time and space, connecting us with the wisdom of ancient civilisations, the discoveries of the Renaissance, the innovations of the industrial age, the traditions of communities and the breakthroughs of the modern world.

Learning by Assimilating and Processing

The art of reading is not just in the acquisition of facts but in the process of assimilating and processing these facts into knowledge and wisdom.

It is an active endeavour that engages the mind in critical thinking, analysis, and synthesis.

By exposing ourselves to diverse perspectives and ideas, we learn to question, to reason, and to form our own understanding of the world.

Reading is a dialogue between the reader and the author, a dance of the intellect that sharpens the mind and enriches the soul.

Overcoming Hurdles

The path of learning is fraught with challenges and hurdles. There are books that challenge our preconceptions, that confront us with uncomfortable truths, or that require us to stretch our minds beyond their current limits.

Yet, it is precisely these challenges that make reading a rewarding experience. Overcoming these hurdles not only deepens our understanding but also strengthens our resolve and resilience.

It teaches us that the pursuit of knowledge and developing wisdom is not a linear path but a winding journey with peaks and valleys, obstacles and triumphs.

To Truly Learn, Discard History and Ego

One of the most profound lessons in the joy of reading is the realisation that to truly learn, we must be willing to discard our history and ego and approach each book with a beginner's mind.

This does not mean forgetting the past or disregarding our experiences but rather approaching each new piece of knowledge with openness and curiosity.

It means being willing to admit that we do not know everything, that there is always more to learn, and that each book has the potential to change us in some way.

By shedding our preconceptions and embracing vulnerability, we open ourselves up to the transformative power of reading.

Philosophy & Psychology of Reading

Integrating the philosophies of Jiddu Krishnamurti (books such as "As One Is"), and the insights from Richard E. Nisbett's "The Geography of Thought" into the art of reading offers a fascinating lens through which we can deepen our understanding and appreciation of this activity.

Krishnamurti's emphasis on freedom from known limitations and Nisbett's exploration of how culture shapes cognitive processes can significantly enrich our perspective on reading.

Krishnamurti: Freedom from the Known

Krishnamurti encourages us to transcend our accumulated knowledge—the "known"—to directly perceive life without the filters of conditioning.

In the context of reading, this philosophy invites us to approach texts with an open mind, free from preconceptions and biases.

It's about reading not just to confirm what we already believe or know but to challenge our thoughts, question our assumptions, and explore new ways of understanding.

By doing so, we can experience the true joy and transformation that reading offers, allowing the ideas within books to provoke a profound internal examination and growth.

Nisbett: The Geography of Thought

Nisbett's work illustrates how cultural differences shape our cognitive processes, including perception, reasoning, and problem-solving.

Applying this understanding to the art of reading, we can appreciate how texts from different cultures offer unique ways of seeing the world.

Engaging with a diverse range of literature enables us to explore the cognitive styles and thought patterns of other cultures, expanding our mental horizons, providing cultural understanding and enhancing our cognitive flexibility.

It's a practice that not only deepens our empathy and understanding but also enriches our cognitive toolkit, providing a broader range of mental models to draw upon in all areas of life.

Weaving Together Krishnamurti and Nisbett

When we combine Krishnamurti's call for liberation from the known with Nisbett's insights into cultural cognition, reading transforms into a powerful tool for personal and intellectual expansion. This approach encourages us to:

• Encounter texts without ego, embracing the humility to learn and the courage to have our views challenged. Each book becomes an opportunity to observe our reactions and question our conditioned responses.
• Embrace the diversity of human thought, seeking out works from a variety of cultures, disciplines, and perspectives. This diversity not only enriches our understanding of the world but also challenges us to integrate contrasting viewpoints into a more nuanced worldview.
• Cultivate a global mindset, recognising that the way we think is just one of many valid approaches. By appreciating the vast landscape of human thought and experience, we can foster a sense of global citizenship and interconnectedness.

Overall Benefits of Reading

Mindfulness and Presence in Reading

Krishnamurti's teachings on being present and mindful resonate deeply with the act of reading.

By fully immersing ourselves in the moment, free from distractions and preconceptions, we can engage more deeply with the text.

This mindfulness enhances comprehension and retention, allowing the nuances and subtleties of the author's ideas to make a more significant impact.

It's about allowing the text to speak directly to us, without the interference of our past experiences or future expectations, thereby facilitating a more authentic encounter with the material.

Cultural Intelligence through Literature

Nisbett's exploration of cognitive differences across cultures can also inform our approach to reading by fostering cultural intelligence.

When we read works from different cultural backgrounds with an understanding of how thought processes can vary, we're better equipped to grasp the context and perspectives being presented.

This approach doesn't just broaden our literary horizons; it also enhances our ability to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.

By developing a sensitivity to cultural nuances in literature, we can apply these insights to real-world interactions, promoting more effective and empathetic communication across cultural divides.

Expanding Emotional Intelligence

The combination of Krishnamurti's emphasis on self-awareness and Nisbett's insights into the diversity of human thought offers a powerful tool for developing emotional intelligence.

Reading, especially fiction, allows us to experience a wide range of emotions and situations vicariously.

Approaching these experiences with an open mind and an awareness of our own internal responses can deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.

This process not only enriches our reading experience but also enhances our capacity for empathy, self-regulation, and emotional navigation in our lives.

Critical Thinking and Intellectual Humility

Finally, blending Krishnamurti's call for freedom from the known with the appreciation for cognitive diversity inspired by Nisbett encourages a stance of intellectual humility and critical thinking.

By recognising the limits of our knowledge and the value of diverse perspectives, we can approach texts with a questioning mind, eager to learn rather than to confirm our biases.

This stance fosters a healthy skepticism and a willingness to revise our understanding in light of new evidence or arguments.

It's a practice that not only enriches our intellectual life but also prepares us to engage constructively with the complex and often conflicting ideas that characterize our globalised world.

Conclusion

The art of reading, enriched by the philosophies of Krishnamurti and the cognitive insights of Nisbett, becomes a journey of self-discovery and cognitive expansion.

It's a practice that not only entertains and informs but also transforms, challenging us to transcend our limitations and embrace the rich tapestry of human thought.

Through this lens, reading is not just an activity but a pathway to freedom, understanding, and connection in an increasingly complex and diverse world.

To your success!

Frank Choy

10 March 2024

Recommended reading:

"As One is: To Free the Mind from All Conditioning", Jiddu Krishnamurti, Holm Press, 2007

"The Geography of Thought", Richard E. Nisbett, Nicholas Brealey, 2003

"The Unbearable Lightness of Being", Milan Kundera, Harper, 2009