Unraveling the Layers of Human Nature: A Journey Through Curiosity, Consciousness, and Cultural Exploration
In this short article, we embark on a captivating journey through the multidimensional facets of human nature, weaving together curiosity, consciousness, and cultural exploration. Inspired by the insights shared in my book, “Being & Belonging: A Journey of Curiosity and Imagination,” and drawing from the works of renowned anthropologists, we unveil the complex beauty of our shared humanity and the importance of embracing our interconnectedness.
Our brains exhibit an extraordinary ability to focus on specific sounds amidst the cacophony of a crowded room. By consciously directing our attention, we can single out the sounds that interest us, irrespective of their origin. This selective attention greatly impacts the stimuli our senses perceive and process within our consciousness. Conversely, our attention can become diverted or diffused, causing us to miss information even when it’s presented right before us, such as when we look at someone speaking but fail to hear their words. This also proves that our attention is directed by our intention or lack thereof. Interestingly while our intention can help us direct our attention our preconceived biases can also get in the way of perceiving whatever is accessible in our vicinity. Psychologist call it cognitive bias.
A cognitive bias is a systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment.Individuals create their own “subjective reality” from their perception of the input. An individual’s construction of reality, not the objective input, may dictate their behavior in the world. Thus, cognitive biases may sometimes lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation, and irrationality.
Indian philosopher J Kriahnamurti believed that “The highest intelligence is observation without the intervention of thought.”
J. Krishnamurti’s teachings explored consciousness and its connection to intelligence and awareness. He emphasized the importance of cultivating self-awareness and understanding one’s thoughts, emotions, and experiences. True intelligence, according to Krishnamurti, is not just accumulating knowledge but perceiving reality without distortion, requiring deep self-awareness.
In a series of workshops on alternate ways of knowing, I gained insights into various cultural practices such as Native American rituals and Aikido. These experiences highlighted the value of diffusing attention to expand consciousness and promote an inward expansion of awareness. By embracing childlike curiosity and openness, barriers between oneself and others dissolve, fostering a sense of unity and belonging. This heightened consciousness allows for liberation from ego, resulting in a feeling of freedom and abundance. Ultimately, it breaks down self-imposed limitations and fosters a holistic understanding of the universe, enabling us to seize opportunities wherever they arise and recognize solutions to problems when they serendipitously present themselves.
My curiosity for understanding human experience as an integral part of nature’s ecology has drawn me to literature that explains psychological, social, cultural, linguistic, interpretations of relationship between humans and the natural environment we live in. Ethnographic research has taught me the importance of deep observation and documenting thick descriptions of what I observe.
Anthropologist. Clifford Geertz refers to the concept of “thick description.”
“The aim of thick description is to render the meanings of behaviors and cultural practices in a way that makes them understandable to an outsider. It involves uncovering the multiple layers of meaning and context that give these behaviors and practices their significance.”
Geertz’s thick description emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural practices and behaviors in their full context, rather than merely observing them at face value.
Dell Hymes, an anthropologist and linguist, highlights the interconnectedness of local knowledge, language, and collective consciousness. He argues that shared language and communication practices enable communities to construct, preserve, and transmit their unique understanding of the world. In this way, language becomes a vital source of local knowledge and a means for shaping and expressing collective consciousness.
Clifford Geertz’s influential essay, “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight,” delves into the social and symbolic aspects of cockfighting. Geertz illustrates how this cultural practice acts as a means of expressing status, rivalry, and pride among different social groups. His work is an exemplary application of the interpretative approach in anthropology, perceiving culture as a compilation of texts to be analyzed and comprehended by the anthropologist. Geertz’s research emphasizes the importance of cultural immersion in understanding a society’s beliefs, values, and practices.
This article showcases the multifaceted pathways I’ve taken to explore and comprehend human nature. By sharing these insights, I hope to inspire readers to embark on their own journeys of curiosity and cultivate a deeper understanding of the complex, multidimensional aspects of the human experience. Through this book, I aim to encourage readers to develop a heightened level of consciousness, enabling them to serve as catalysts for positive change within society.
