The document discusses the concepts of open-mindedness and close-mindedness, emphasizing the importance of being receptive to new ideas while not blindly accepting everything. It introduces terms like ultimatism, dogmatism, and relativism, questioning the nature of truth and personal beliefs. The text also highlights the relationship between philosophy, religion, and spirituality, advocating for a focus on personal improvement through these disciplines.

1. Be open-minded,
not empty-minded

2. Minds are like mouths
They need to be open to take
things in &
they need to close to benefit
from what is taken in

3. Close-minded
Refuse to consider anything
that challenges one’s beliefs
Eg. Echo chamber
Eg. “Jump off, you infidel”

4. Empty-minded
Refuse to challenge anything
that is currently flowing
Eg Pipe
Eg “That is our tradition”

5. Clarifying terms
Ultimatism = Dogmatism?
Ultimatism * Relativism
Dogmatism * Open-mindedness

6. Relativism Relativizes Relativism too
“There is no absolute truth.”
Is that statement an absolute truth?

7. No opinions
“Don’t be strongly attached to
any opinions – to this opinion, I
am strongly attached.”
- Woody Allen

8. Can we go beyond our filters?
Is there anything to us beyond
our filters?
Is there a holder of opinions
beyond our opinions

9. A thought-exercise
Close your eyes
Look at what appears on the
inner screen
Look for the seer of the inner
screen

10. The self – a holistic model
The body: hardware
The mind: software
The soul: user

12. Srila Prabhupada - “Philosophy
without religion is just mental
speculation”
Spirituality
Philosophy
Religion

13. Srila Prabhupada - “Religion without
philosophy is at best sentimentalism and
at worst fanaticism.”
Spirituality
Philosophy
Religion

14. Changing focus
Use religion more
To improve than
To prove