Understanding – “having clear insight into ideas and feelings…seeking[ing] to comprehend the full truth.”1 For the past week this has been the virtue we’ve practiced at our weekly Virtues Sharing Circle. I can’t say that my ability to understand has increased. However, I have learned about some of the things that block me from understanding.
Me. I block myself from understanding others. My ego, my feelings, my wants, my needs – these crowd out my desire to understand and I essentially create a wall that prevents me from enlarging my world view. How can I possibly understand you when all I’m thinking of is me? In order to understand others, I need to call on my Empathy and Compassion. Then I can put myself in your shoes and take the time to listen more deeply to what you are saying.
Me. I block myself from understanding others. My ego, my feelings, my wants, my needs – these crowd out my desire to understand and I essentially create a wall that prevents me from enlarging my world view. How can I possibly understand you when all I’m thinking of is me? In order to understand others, I need to call on my Empathy and Compassion. Then I can put myself in your shoes and take the time to listen more deeply to what you are saying.
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