There are many biases described in psychology, that we human beings have in our minds. They are deeply embedded in us due to our evolutionary past of having been a hunter-gatherer, where survival was of prime importance. Unless we developed some heuristic models of thinking quickly and fast, we wouldn’t have survived. As we became enabled and more firm footed in the game of survival, the thriving took precedence and the same biases started acting as impediments to our growth as an individual. Two types of biases can be seen very commonly. One is the confirmation bias -seeing what we expect to see by interpreting new evidence in the light of our current beliefs. Second is the desirability bias -seeing what we want to see. Both these biases cripple our thinking without our knowledge and we start seeing only what confirms and validates our preconceived notions.

Buddha always emphasized on non – attachment and propounded that attachment in any form is not more than clinging which ultimately leads to suffering. Similarly, when a person gets attached to his opinions, ideas, or ideology, he loses his freedom of thinking. His vision becomes constricted by considering only his views right. This is a big obstacle on the spiritual path which essentially is a path of discovery, doubt, and seeking.

The world is always in constant flux and this irrational attachment to one’s dogmas, opinions and prejudices gradually become an impediment to making the real sense of our environment and surrounding.  To be relevant, positive, and aware of our present times, constant revision, modification, and alteration is a necessary step. We are like ships sailing on the vast waters of oceans. We set a course and sail in the desired direction only to realize that forces of wind, water currents, and weather conditions keep changing always and they alter our course even without our knowledge. So, a good navigator keeps observing these conditions and applies many course corrections during the voyage to reach the desired destination.

A malleable and flexible mind free from preconceived ideas processes everything in the light of current situations and the changing environment. It remains impartial, rational, flexible, and egoless. All human endeavors like work, relationships, routines, ambitions, and even ideals should be entrusted to this mind, which has a clean lens and perceives the reality in its true essence.

Let us constantly clean the cobwebs of mental cookies to usher in the present with renewed confidence in our abilities, lives, and times. Perhaps then we will attain true joy, peace, and freedom.

 

Photo by Maksym Tymchyk on Unsplash