Whether you admit it or not, almost everyone has biases. As long as you have a working mind, prejudices are natural to form. Only when you accept this tendency can you change and break down your biases. And while you do, you also have to deal with bias of other people. But before you point to others, it is wise to look into yourself.
A Simple technique to reduce your bias
Prejudices are a product of our minds, just like any other thought or opinion. Our brains can change the world for the better or worse. And when we have biases, we come closer to the latter.
Thankfully, there is a straightforward technique you can use to bring your level of biases down. This method does not require any investment from your side in terms of personal development. All it asks you is to see with clarity.
This technique is no other than the “I do not know” approach to life. When you see you do not know a thing, you naturally have no prejudices. At first, this claim of “I do not know” may seem quite unrealistic. But think about it. With clarity and honesty. What do you really know?
For example, you may have heard that every tree once was a seed. But do you know how this tiny seed became a 3-meter tree? Even more fundamentally, do you know what is an atom or a particle? We may know how to use them, but we do not really know their nature. And since we do not know that, by definition, we do not know anything.
How to deal with bias from others
As much as you can control and change your own biases, you have little influence on what others think. Yet, the way you respond to their prejudices is all your doing. You can choose to respond with compassion, indifference, or resistance. In other words, your behavior is within 100% of your control. Once you take charge of it, you can deal with bias however you want.
If you care about yourself and use your sense, you understand that responding with compassion is the ideal way to go. Of course, this is easier said than done. How can you be compassionate if the other person is so biased against you or something that opposes you?
First of all, if you think that others have biases, you attract that behavior to yourself too. The moment you distinguish a prejudice on the outside, it means you have an underlying belief of what is right. After all, in everyone’s minds, they all think they are right. So the whole question of dealing with a bias is a dead end.
However, if you see that it is impossible to stop someone from judging you, you naturally come to terms with whatever they throw at you. Even if they are spitting in your face, they do what they know best. Those people need compassion more than everyone else. But choosing to be compassionate is not about them. It is about you.
Takeaway
- When you see you do not really know a thing in life, you naturally have no prejudices.
- You can choose to respond to others’ prejudices with compassion, indifference, or resistance. Your response is 100% within your control
- See that it is impossible to stop someone from judging you. Whatever someone throws at you, be compassionate. You do that because it makes you feel better.
