To Learn is to Grow, and a Closed Mind Cannot Learn.

I used to be a firm atheist and materialist.

My definitions of God/the Divine, and my beliefs around the nature of reality, were narrow and rigid.

Any idea that did not fit into the atheist/materialist frameworks, I considered silly and rejected.

As a result of my narrow worldview, my personal growth was was severely limited and my life lacked meaning. My atheistic materialism led me to be nihilistic and as a result, all I really did was seek short-term gratification, which led to a weed addiction.

Then, in 2019, I read a book called ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle, which blew my mind wide open to new possibilities. My definitions and understandings of “God”, reality and self were completely transformed.

Ever since then, I have been a completely different person.

My interests, values and life path have all changed drastically for the better, all because I was able to open my mind.

Why is this important?

Having a closed mind is like having an illness which prevents spiritual growth and mental expansion.

Everyone wants to enhance their intelligence and understanding, yet not everyone is willing to accept the limitations of their belief systems.

Most people identify with their beliefs, so there is fear around questioning them as a threat to the beliefs is perceived as a threat to the self.

So, their beliefs become dogma and ideology, which are the biggest blocks to open minded contemplation - and by extension, the biggest blocks to freedom and growth.

Narrow minded clinging to one’s beliefs and opinions prevents that person from learning and growing.

Thus, a closed mind stunts a person’s growth and keeps them in a state of limitation.

“The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die. As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.” - Friedrich Nietzsche

What does it mean to have an open mind?

To learn is to expand one’s mind.

To expand one’s mind, the mind must be open.

It must be receptive to new ideas that will expand it.

To be mentally open and receptive does not mean to be overly credulous, it just means being willing to explore and entertain previously unconsidered possibilities (including ideas that directly contradict your current beliefs).

It also means being willing to acknowledge that current mental frameworks or beliefs may not be true or even useful.

To be open minded is to be humble, it is to recognise that our present knowledge and understanding is immensely limited, and that there is much value to be discovered in that which we do not know.

What are the benefits of an open mind?

By opening one’s mind, one opens themselves to novel experience, new possibilities and unforeseen value.

To grow spiritually is to expand one’s consciousness. To expand one’s consciousness, the mind must be open.

To grow mentally is to expand one’s knowledge and understanding. To expand one’s knowledge and understanding, the mind must be open.

Thus, the consequence of an open mind is mental and spiritual growth.

9 steps to open your mind

Next time you are reading a book, listening to a podcast, or engaging in conversation with someone, follow these steps:

Mechanics of an Open Mind

1.  Remain vigilant and observe your inner state.

2. Notice when resistance to an idea or concept arises.

3. Ask yourself why there is resistance.

4. See that you cling to beliefs and opinions as if they were unquestionable facts

5. Remind yourself that you do not ultimately know what is true

6. Release your grasp on the prior belief/opinion (or its grasp of you) and allow for alternative possibilities to be considered

7. Explore alternative possibilities to see which ones sit best with you

8. Note what these are, but once again, do not allow yourself to cling to or identify with them

9. Hold them with you as you move forward, but be ready to repeat the process again when encountered with new ideas or possibilities in the future

If you seek to open your mind regarding personal aspects of your life, here are:

5 Things to Question Openly

1. Your metaphysical beliefs

2. Your values

3. Your political opinions

4. Your relationships

5. Your work

A closed mind cannot learn. To learn is to grow. Thus, a closed-minded person cannot grow.

Follow the outlined steps to open and expand your mind, and by extension, to grow mentally and spiritually.

Thank you for reading the first newsletter of Alchemical Awakening, your attention, interest, and support is greatly appreciated.