Identifying with a view and saying this is right and that is wrong, this is proper and that is not…as humans that’s an entirely natural behavior, because we humans like to establish a comfort zone and stay there as long as possible. But to embrace the unfolding endlessness of possibility, to jump from view to view, applying each one when necessary yet never identifying with it…
That behavior is divine.
I remember when I got to the place in my life where I didn’t need all the answers and became comfortable with the gray, instead of the black and white/right and wrong. It is very freeing!
I love it – although always remember your mind can get so open your brain falls out 😀
This reminds me of Stages of Faith by James Fowler. What you describe sounds like the transition from Synthetic-Conventional Faith to Individuative-Reflective Faith. It’s the difference between actually stepping outside the box and merely redecorating it.
I completely relate to this as I’ve felt myself shift this past year. I find that I don’t always identify with the groups with which I previously identified. At the same time, I can’t say that I agree with opposite “sides”, either. Consequently, I find myself focusing on different things and paying less attention to issues that previously, I would have considered extremely important. It’s a different phase of focusing energies elsewhere, hopefully a sign of growth. No-one has all the answers and we can’t control everything, anyway, no matter how strong our views.
This really spoke to me! I like to describe myself as “panspiritual” because I’m always searching for different perspectives. You really described how that feels!
Yeah thank you! I’ve tried to shape my views so that I can account for multiple peoples’ views who I don’t necessarily think are “wrong” because they come from a specific tradition. It’s kinda why I don’t believe in subscribing wholly to any one philosophy; I’d feel like I was limiting myself. I’d rather make one that works for me and allows me to produce the best work I can and be the person I’m most satisfied with.
Kent Wayne 
Leave a reply to James J. Cudney IV Cancel reply