Hold No Opinions

Are you too attached to your ideas?  To your opinions?

I recently posted a Zen quote on LinkedIn that I believe stretches us to create space for those things that may make us uncomfortable, but also open doors to new possibilities.

The quote? “If you wish to see the truth, then hold no opinions.”

It’s hard to let go of the things we’ve built in our heads.  We believe them.  We can see no other options.  We hold them tight and don’t want to let them go.

And while they may be the “best” ideas, the “right” beliefs – are they only in our mind’s eye? 

How tightly are we holding on to them?  So tightly we can’t consider other possibilities?  Hear other’s beliefs?  Are our realities the only truth?

I propose they are not – even if they are based in facts.  Because facts, only, do not include the human experience that frames our expectations, our assumptions, our beliefs.

We reduce our options when we cling heart and soul to what we think we know.  To what we have experienced.  Looking for truth does not invalidate your experiences.  Looking for truth expands them.

When we hold so tightly to an idea, a dream, a belief or a myriad list of other things, we ego engage.  And our ego will not allow for anything else that can disrupt what we hold to be the truth.  Ego doesn’t allow for being wrong or being vulnerable.  We attach ourselves to our truth and don’t let go.  Our ego stifles conversation.  It smothers the truth. 

Is your idea the ONLY idea?  Your belief – the ONLY belief?  Your truth – the ONLY truth?

In these troubled times, I suffer from an anxiety I share with so many of you.  What will we lose?  Can I be free from the attachments that hold me back?  If I can, will we deconstruct everything I believe in?  And how can I live with that?

I don’t have the answers.  I do know – or at least this is my truth – that unless we start talking to each other with a commitment to understanding, we will not resolve all that now separates us.  Because, in reality, I believe we have far more in common than we care to admit.  We seek love, support, friendship, harmony, and solid foundations that hold us together – not apart.

What are we willing to hold on to?  At what cost?

Lots to unpack here.  More to come.