The truly open mind understands the nuance of life—the idea that there are almost always valid perspectives across the board, from every angle, about any given topic.
The closed mind, seeking comfort and a sense of belonging, tends to hold on to ideas and take them as black-and-white truth.
Doing so provides a sense of comfort because not only do we no longer have to think deeply about things—“I’ve found my perspective, one that feels valid based on my existing ideas, morals, and values about life or any particular topic. I take this as truth. Therefore, this is my belief, and any other belief must be flawed or inferior...” (Religion is a prime example.)
“In addition, I find community and a sense of belonging with other people who have come to the same conclusions!”
“We, in this community or friend group or whatever group of people... we know what’s right! Let’s get together and talk about how right we are—and how wrong everybody else is!”
While these people likely do have a valid perspective...
Their closed minds often lead them to miss out on—and completely overlook—99 percent of life. The approach is like experiencing the vastness of the universe while only being able to see through a peephole; only being able to hear through a muffled pillow; only being able to taste with the tip of your tongue.
Closed-mindedness taints the beauty of everything. It dulls life into a sad, bleak, black-and-white show from the 1920s.
The nuance of life is uncomfortable. It requires you to tussle constantly with the reality of things. It demands a certain level of surrender to the vastness of life.
The closed mind thinks contradiction is a flaw—that if you contradict yourself, you must be wrong. But that couldn't be further from the truth.
The truth is: contradiction is life. Life is a gigantic contradiction, from all angles and all perspectives.
The truth is everywhere, in everything. It is almost never black and white. It's like a foggy haze of unlimited colors—and truly beginning to uncover it is realizing, as Socrates said: I know that I know nothing.