Curiosity is an active interest in finding new aspects of the people, things and situations that one encounters. I cultivate this virtue by using the power of observation and asking questions, to make new discoveries even in what seems familiar. The opposite is indifference.§
Comparing the actions of one who is curious to one who is indifferent§ |
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|---|---|---|
Situation§ |
Curious§ |
Indifferent§ |
When a major solar eclipse happens right above your town, you…§ |
run inside to explore the astrophysics of this rare phenomenon.§ |
wait until the sun reappears and head for the mall.§ |
On a field trip at a museum display, when the curator describes the history of the region, you…§ |
ask questions, wanting to know more about the area and the people who lived here before.§ |
are bored, ask no questions and distract yourself by texting your friends.§ |
When a group of immigrants from Bhutan moves next door, you…§ |
are eager to know more, and visit their home with lots of questions.§ |
find them uninteresting and never even stop to welcome them.§ |
Gurudeva explained: “We all know human nature, because we are people living on this planet. We are fickle; we are changeable. We are always curious to try new things. Change is a wonderful part of life, within certain bounds. We do not want to be too restrictive, yet we do want to be strict.”§
“This knowledge he [the realized master] then imparted, as needed, to the students who came to him curious or eager to solve the philosophical and metaphysical puzzles of life.”§
ASSIGNMENT: During these two weeks, watch for unique happenings in your life and take the time to learn more about them. Pursue at least two new observations each week.§
Date you began this assignment ____________________§
MY THOUGHTS ON THE BENEFITS OF CURIOSITY: 
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