A renowned transcendentalist of the mid-19th century, Ralph Waldo Emerson once said that ‘People only see what they are prepared to see.’
He suggests that one’s perception of the world is heavily influenced by one’s perceived notions, beliefs, and experiences.
When it comes to perspective, we are limited in many ways because we stand in our own way. We filter information through our existing mental frameworks. This can lead to a narrow view of reality as we might overlook or dismiss anything that doesn’t fit our existing worldview.
Our beliefs shape our expectations, and we often seek out evidence to confirm the beliefs that we see to be true. This leads us to create a self-fulfilling prophecy where we can only see what we expect.
Our attitude and openness to view ideas play an essential role in what we perceive. A rigid mindset can hinder our ability to see beyond our own perspective.
Our upbringing, cultural background, and societal norms significantly influence how we interpret the world. These factors can create blind spots and biases.
To best define our perception of things, imagine an art critic who is accustomed to representational art. The art critic is prepared to see and appreciate work that mimics reality. His or her understanding of art is rooted in traditional techniques and aesthetics. When confronted with an abstract painting, with no recognizable subject matter, he or she struggles to find value or meaning. The perception is limited by the existing framework of what constitutes ‘art’. In a way, the critic’s preparedness to see art in a particular way hinders his or her ability to engage with the abstract piece.
Therefore, if we are more inclined toward limiting our mental framework, seeking out self-fulfilling prophecies, maintaining a rigid mindset, and creating cultural blindspots, we are closing the doors of our inner eyes.
How Ground of Neutrality must be maintained by working on one’s FIT Score
This is why one must improve their FIT Score, that is:
- Frequency (F) to repeat the number of times one maintains their Ground of Neutrality when it comes to the perception of things.
- Intensity (I) to increase the impact of maintaining the Ground of Neutrality for perceiving things.
- Tenacity (T) one applies to build and improve on sustaining their Ground of Neutrality concerning perception.
Therefore, in doing so, one can invest their time, energy, and effort in improving their Spiritual Quotient.
