The Noise of Assumptions

Posted on December 13, 2007
Filed Under Awareness |

It’s a bit of a cliché to say people only hear what they want to hear. I do that myself a lot – my mind drifts, I daydream or simply switch off to what is being said. But then it isn’t always a case of not listening. I know from my own actions that in many cases it stems from making assumptions.

When I already have a certain idea in my mind the context in which I listen to another person is surprising; because I try and fit their words into the idea that I am already holding. So one day I learnt that it is better to believe I know little – or even better; nothing.

What I find fascinating is the minds capacity to block out, erase or even intentionally misunderstand anything that does gel well with its established assumptions. This is often the cause of many arguments between people, because they have made assumptions about the other person or what is being said.

It’s an easy trap to fall into – and one I personally try and be constantly mindful of.

Such assumptions form a barrier in-between us and new wonderful experiences. It is like walking around with one or more of our senses shut off; we only get to see a small portion of the world.

When we think we know or we think we see then we don’t stop to actually look and consider. This is why the more subtly aspects of our senses – the six-sense etc. – all too often go unrecognised. The impulses of our five senses and our assumptions are so strong that they override all else.

So quietude, silence and peacefulness in the mind and in our physical actions – can actually act as pathways into discovering aspects of our self, others and even the world around us. I think that is something worth considering in the context of our noisy, fast paced world of never ending distraction.