The Curiosity Cure-All

Kabbalists teach that our purpose in this world is to change our nature and one of the most powerful tools we’re given is this idea: Get uncomfortable. If you are content and comfortable then it’s likely you aren’t pushing yourself on your spiritual path. 

 

This idea begs us to take a look around and shake things up. Yet, change can feel overwhelming or even scary for some of us. Tania Luna, coauthor of Surprise: Embrace the Unpredictable and Engineer the Unexpected, says, “When we have too much surprise, we experience anxiety, but when we don’t have enough, we get bored and disengaged. We feel most comfortable when things are certain, but we feel most alive when they’re not.” 

 

So, how do we continue to grow spiritually without creating anxiety and stressing ourselves out? Be like George. Be curious.

 

Curiosity inspires us to learn, to stretch our limits and to embrace the wonders and blessings of the world and this world is full of amazement and awe. From the perfection of a single blossom to the vast chasm of the Grand Canyon, there are any number or things for us to be curious about and inspired by.

 

I love this quote of my husband’s,

 

Boredom comes from unmet or abandoned potential. – Michael Berg

 

The ebbs and flows of life guarantee that we’ll feel bored from time to time. When you find yourself feeling uninspired by life, it’s time to inject your life with something new. Stop by a bookstore, watch a documentary, or find a lecture on a topic that piques your interest. The internet is rich with lectures that range from commentaries on dialects to the life spans of planarian flatworms. The one thing that all these lectures have in common is their speaker’s passion for their topic. 

 

If you don’t know where to start, ask yourself what your passions are. Chances are, no matter what excites you, there is still more to learn.

 

A common characteristic of the curious is their supportive nature. Curious people are focused on their passions and want to support and work with others to explore them further. The curious also tend to be non-shaming and non-judgmental. In fact, Walt Whitman was said to have found curiosity and judgment as behaviors unable to exist together. Spiritually, we know that we must all work to be more caring and to show kindness to everyone. Cultivating your curiosity is not only a fulfilling pursuit, but can make us kinder, more engaged, and less judgmental.

 

According to researchers Christopher Peterson and Martin Seligman, possessing the positive quality of curiosity has extensive benefits including feelings of wellbeing, longevity, better health and better relationships! When the brain is in a curious state, researchers have found an improvement of memory. All of these benefits are available to you, all you have to do is start looking around and asking questions.

 

Embrace discomfort, take risks, be willing to fail, indulge your curiosity – these are the lessons of the great kabbalistic masters. The beauty of our spiritual work is that while it is work, it is the surest way to find fulfillment and happiness. Let your curiosity fuel your spiritual growth this week. Look around with open eyes and an open heart. Ask a lot of questions.

 

THOUGHT INTO ACTION

If you already have a passion, you can always afford one more. Look around, ask questions and find your next passion. You may reveal your life’s purpose simply by asking a single question.