As a therapist and learner: are you a soldier or a scout? Sometimes our training encourages us to be better soldiers; to see our clients and the world in a particular way and to validate and enforce that perception. As an alternative, Julia Galef encourages “scout mind”. A good Scout is curious, open-minded and well grounded. Willing to change her/his mind when new information contradicts previous assumptions.
I’ve repeatedly learned that the true definition of “assume” is as follows: assumptions make an ASS out of U and ME.
When working with others, don’t you find you are often trying to help someone move from a soldier mind that repeatedly supports and reinforces unhappiness to a scout mind that is curious and open to new perspectives based on the ever-changing present moment? Isn’t much of therapy helping others form a new perspective and way of looking at life?
I enjoyed this interesting and provocative TED talk. Watch it for yourself and let me know your thoughts.