Curiosity, especially intellectual curiosity, is sadly lacking in our society today. I often wonder about the people who listen to pharmaceutical ads on television, for example, without wondering why they should take a drug that has possible side effects that sound worse than the condition for which they would take the drug. Aren’t they curious about that?
Or what about those who hear something, a piece of news, for instance, from one source and don’t bother to get corroborating evidence before they react emotionally? How can so many people on Earth in the 21st Century ignore the evidence of centuries of study, like those who still believe the Earth is the center of the Solar System despite our space exploration results that show us, up close and personal, that this is not so? Do you ever wonder about their lack of curiosity?
I suspect that we have fallen into a time where intellectual curiosity is just ‘too darn hard’ for some people. I mean, if you can slide through life without ever asking a question, then not much will be demanded of you. For some people it is not even a choice to stop asking questions – they have been told the answers and the one source of information and they continue to acquiesce to that authority. Others fail to ask questions because they are afraid of being judged by authorities or friends or family members. Who doesn’t remember a moment in school that was confusing but the social ridicule that might follow looking ‘stupid’ prevented the question from being asked?
Why do you suppose that we have devolved into a complacent society where some don’t want to ask questions and some are too afraid to ask? Why is it such a dividing factor that only some are willing to say ‘the emperor has no clothes’ while others might not notice or choose not to question? Are there really any answers to these questions?
I believe that we must always be childlike in our explorations of what is around us. We must look with wonder at the unfolding of a blossom or the rainbow in the sky or the little ant carrying a huge [for him] load on his back. When something around us seems to be inconsistent with our model of the world I believe we have an obligation to our own development to ask questions. Asking a question is not a judgment that something is wrong. It is not a criticism of a person or system or situation. It is merely an attempt to get clarification, better understanding. A conclusion can be reached after the questioning but the questioning itself is an information-gathering stage.
We must all do this about our lives and our personal development, too. We must be examining our lives, not to be harsh judges but to be good learners. A relationship is not damaged by asking if there is something the other party wishes to change. A job is not usually in danger if one asks questions to better understand a context or situation.
As a spiritual counselor I see only those people who are willing to ask questions. They are curious about ways they can improve their lives, or about something they can change, or what the next step is for them. My clients are willing to explore themselves and their lives to develop a deeper understanding. I love that these people come to me for help in their personal growth. I am excited that so many people are willing to ask the questions that stimulate growth.
I’m sure that all who are reading these words are committed to a path of personal growth and are willing to ask the questions that will facilitate that growth. See if you can expand your questioning to explore other topics about which you are curious. Is there something that fascinates you but that you think you don’t have the time to explore? Maybe reading a book or watching a documentary on that subject will stimulate your curiosity even further. Do you ever ponder philosophical questions? Maybe you can find some other people who would meet with you periodically to explore these questions.
It’s good for all of us to stay curious. We all have a responsibility to expand human consciousness and understanding of the world around us. Let’s start by being childlike in our curiosity. After all, it was a child in the fairy tale who declared that ‘the emperor has no clothes’!
Mystic Messages 
MUSE-INGS: Maintain Your Child-Like Curiosity!
February 23, 2010 — RosemaryCuriosity, especially intellectual curiosity, is sadly lacking in our society today. I often wonder about the people who listen to pharmaceutical ads on television, for example, without wondering why they should take a drug that has possible side effects that sound worse than the condition for which they would take the drug. Aren’t they curious about that?
Or what about those who hear something, a piece of news, for instance, from one source and don’t bother to get corroborating evidence before they react emotionally? How can so many people on Earth in the 21st Century ignore the evidence of centuries of study, like those who still believe the Earth is the center of the Solar System despite our space exploration results that show us, up close and personal, that this is not so? Do you ever wonder about their lack of curiosity?
I suspect that we have fallen into a time where intellectual curiosity is just ‘too darn hard’ for some people. I mean, if you can slide through life without ever asking a question, then not much will be demanded of you. For some people it is not even a choice to stop asking questions – they have been told the answers and the one source of information and they continue to acquiesce to that authority. Others fail to ask questions because they are afraid of being judged by authorities or friends or family members. Who doesn’t remember a moment in school that was confusing but the social ridicule that might follow looking ‘stupid’ prevented the question from being asked?
Why do you suppose that we have devolved into a complacent society where some don’t want to ask questions and some are too afraid to ask? Why is it such a dividing factor that only some are willing to say ‘the emperor has no clothes’ while others might not notice or choose not to question? Are there really any answers to these questions?
I believe that we must always be childlike in our explorations of what is around us. We must look with wonder at the unfolding of a blossom or the rainbow in the sky or the little ant carrying a huge [for him] load on his back. When something around us seems to be inconsistent with our model of the world I believe we have an obligation to our own development to ask questions. Asking a question is not a judgment that something is wrong. It is not a criticism of a person or system or situation. It is merely an attempt to get clarification, better understanding. A conclusion can be reached after the questioning but the questioning itself is an information-gathering stage.
We must all do this about our lives and our personal development, too. We must be examining our lives, not to be harsh judges but to be good learners. A relationship is not damaged by asking if there is something the other party wishes to change. A job is not usually in danger if one asks questions to better understand a context or situation.
As a spiritual counselor I see only those people who are willing to ask questions. They are curious about ways they can improve their lives, or about something they can change, or what the next step is for them. My clients are willing to explore themselves and their lives to develop a deeper understanding. I love that these people come to me for help in their personal growth. I am excited that so many people are willing to ask the questions that stimulate growth.
I’m sure that all who are reading these words are committed to a path of personal growth and are willing to ask the questions that will facilitate that growth. See if you can expand your questioning to explore other topics about which you are curious. Is there something that fascinates you but that you think you don’t have the time to explore? Maybe reading a book or watching a documentary on that subject will stimulate your curiosity even further. Do you ever ponder philosophical questions? Maybe you can find some other people who would meet with you periodically to explore these questions.
It’s good for all of us to stay curious. We all have a responsibility to expand human consciousness and understanding of the world around us. Let’s start by being childlike in our curiosity. After all, it was a child in the fairy tale who declared that ‘the emperor has no clothes’!