> You are not surprised because you have already formed a negative
> opinion of me. Has nothing to do with me, though.
I think this was a theme of earlier threads: whether perception
changes judgment or does pre-judgment shapes perception? What came
first the chicken or the egg?
To have no pre-judgment, in its broadest sense, could mean tabla rasa
-- not so productive -- more alzheimic -- though even that state has
its sweet virtues, IMO (observation).
Categorizing people, generalizing about traits, etc, has some value --
but to a point. We generalize about a child's abilities (sometimes to
be shockingly awakened to be in the presence of a semi-prodigy). We
generalize about various socio-economic and educational backgrounds,
and adapt our initial conversations with someone based on that.
Such becomes unproductive, when such generalizations and pre-judgments
become rigid and set.
As with beliefs, one needs to have some working hypotheses, about how
the world works -- and not start each day in alziemic tabla rasa
fashion. The degree of alacricy that one can change a working
hypothesis, on the fly, with new information, to me, is the key. More
generally, such virtues might be termed, adaptiveness, flexibility,
resilience and responsiveness. ("And now if you will look at this
scientific chart, these qualities are clearly vitalized by the
practice of ..... :)")
To have an opinion of, or more broadly, to be aware of a persons
demonstrated characteristics, is not a bad thing. To let it shape our
perceptions of new actions and information from the person is the
pitfall. A person may have acted in self-centered, limited,
cognitively limited ways in the past. And its productive, IMO, to be
aware that future or present interactions with them MAY manifest such
characteristics. But to have that expectation set in stone,
pre-disposes one to finding such faults, in much greater weight to
finding virtues. Such is a strong cognitive bias.
Research showed, at one point, that TM increases "field-free"
reference -- or something to that effect. Which I think is the more
academic view of my points above -- though perhaps they are focussed
on something similar bu not the same. And from day 1, TM introduced a
more field free detached from past judgments. Like every moment is a
"new morning." A chance to see the world anew, from a fresh, happy,
unencumbered space. Other practices, inquiries, and life experiences
can have a similar effect. Like a good nights sleep. Or falling in love.
Oddly, I find, from an admittedly small sample, a negative correlation
in attachment to past evaluations and judgments, with awakening
claims. Not a perfect (negative) correlation. But some inverse
relation. Manifest in seeming obstinacy to a point of view, perception
of a thing or others, etc. And such obstinance, IMOb, has strong
effects on shaping perception -- as best that can be judged from
their resulting actions and words.
Though some persons, who oddly don't make any awakening claims - but
are respected as free souls, are so fluid and unencumbered by past
views, ever creative and fresh in their outlook every second, its
wonderful to be in their company.
