Mindfulness and Curiosity: Inspiring Affection
by Maya Frost
I like to think of Mindfulness and Curiosity as best friends.
If Mindfulness is the quiet one noticing new things, Curiosity is the more energetic one willing to explore the details and play with every new discovery.
Sure, they could go their separate ways, but their relationship is enriching and enjoyable. They learn more together, and they have a whole lot more fun than they ever would on their own.
Mindfulness and Curiosity go hand in hand. The best approach to mindfulness is one that encourages the development of a hearty curiosity in all those novel stimuli that get noticed.
Lifelong learners are those who tend to be the most curious about the world. Those who keep poking around are likely to learn more than those who are happy to remain content with their current knowledge.
Besides helping you learn more and develop greater awareness of the world around you, the mindful/curious combo is likely to result in less prejudice, deeper engagement, and higher self-esteem (because we see ourselves as mindful and curious!) At least, that's what the latest research from the folks at Harvard tells us.
How does mindful curiosity reduce prejudice? Being mindful of others who are different leads to a heightened awareness of our behavior and attitudes. This opens the door to curiosity, which can guide us to learn more about others and to find similarities. Being "woke" isn't hard--it just requires the intention to pay attention.
When we meet others with obvious physical differences--whether that's skin color, weight, or personal style--we tend to first notice what is different. We are wired to notice what is unfamiliar.
But that's not the end of the story. Our mindful curiosity can help us find common ground. We can use our initial recognition of something as unfamiliar or different to alert us to pay attention in order to learn more.
This is true for art as well as people. Research has shown that we like art or music that we have been instructed to notice. Of two people shown the same unfamiliar piece of artwork, the one instructed to notice three interesting aspects of the piece is far more likely to report later that they like it.
I love the beauty and power of this notion that intentional noticing results in affection. If all it takes to develop greater affection for a person, place, or thing is simply being instructed to find what's interesting about them, then we need to start doing exactly that.
Notice what's different, then look for what's interesting. By pairing mindfulness and curiosity, you will develop an appreciation for the unfamiliar and deeper connections with everyone and everything around you.
How curiously simple.
© 2005-2020 Maya Frost
Please include the following when sharing:
Maya Frost is an author, mindfulness trainer, and creative change strategist.
Learn more at MayaFrost.com
If Mindfulness is the quiet one noticing new things, Curiosity is the more energetic one willing to explore the details and play with every new discovery.
Sure, they could go their separate ways, but their relationship is enriching and enjoyable. They learn more together, and they have a whole lot more fun than they ever would on their own.
Mindfulness and Curiosity go hand in hand. The best approach to mindfulness is one that encourages the development of a hearty curiosity in all those novel stimuli that get noticed.
Lifelong learners are those who tend to be the most curious about the world. Those who keep poking around are likely to learn more than those who are happy to remain content with their current knowledge.
Besides helping you learn more and develop greater awareness of the world around you, the mindful/curious combo is likely to result in less prejudice, deeper engagement, and higher self-esteem (because we see ourselves as mindful and curious!) At least, that's what the latest research from the folks at Harvard tells us.
How does mindful curiosity reduce prejudice? Being mindful of others who are different leads to a heightened awareness of our behavior and attitudes. This opens the door to curiosity, which can guide us to learn more about others and to find similarities. Being "woke" isn't hard--it just requires the intention to pay attention.
When we meet others with obvious physical differences--whether that's skin color, weight, or personal style--we tend to first notice what is different. We are wired to notice what is unfamiliar.
But that's not the end of the story. Our mindful curiosity can help us find common ground. We can use our initial recognition of something as unfamiliar or different to alert us to pay attention in order to learn more.
This is true for art as well as people. Research has shown that we like art or music that we have been instructed to notice. Of two people shown the same unfamiliar piece of artwork, the one instructed to notice three interesting aspects of the piece is far more likely to report later that they like it.
I love the beauty and power of this notion that intentional noticing results in affection. If all it takes to develop greater affection for a person, place, or thing is simply being instructed to find what's interesting about them, then we need to start doing exactly that.
Notice what's different, then look for what's interesting. By pairing mindfulness and curiosity, you will develop an appreciation for the unfamiliar and deeper connections with everyone and everything around you.
How curiously simple.
© 2005-2020 Maya Frost
Please include the following when sharing:
Maya Frost is an author, mindfulness trainer, and creative change strategist.
Learn more at MayaFrost.com