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Openness
Openness is often considered a desirable trait for personal growth and development. But what does it mean to be open, and how does it relate to self-transcendence, and what makes it an aspirational quality? In this article, we will explore the concept of openness from different perspectives, such as psychology, philosophy, and spirituality. We will also examine how openness can foster a sense of connection with something greater than oneself, and what challenges and benefits it may entail.
What is openness?
Openness is the quality of being receptive to new ideas, experiences, and perspectives. It is one of the five major personality traits, along with conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. People who are high in openness tend to be curious, creative, and adventurous. They enjoy learning new things and exploring different cultures. People who are low in openness tend to be more conventional, cautious, and resistant to change. They prefer familiarity and routine over novelty and variety.
Openness and self-transcendence
self-transcendence and openness are two important aspects of personal growth and wellbeing. Openness refers to the willingness to try new experiences, learn new things, and embrace diversity. self-transcendence refers to the ability to go beyond one’s ego and connect with something greater, such as nature, humanity, or spirituality. To explore these dimensions, one can engage in activities that challenge one’s assumptions, broaden one’s perspective, and foster a sense of awe and wonder. For example, one can travel to different cultures, read diverse books, meditate, volunteer, or appreciate art and music. By doing so, one can enrich one’s life and discover new meanings and values.
Benefits of openness
Openness is a personality trait that reflects curiosity, creativity, and willingness to try new things. Openness can have many benefits for individuals and organizations, such as:
- Enhancing life satisfaction and well-being
- Reducing stress and increasing psychological flexibility
- Promoting personal growth and learning
- Improving job performance and innovation
- Fostering trust and collaboration among colleagues
- Appreciating diversity and different perspectives
Openness can be measured by psychological tests or by observing one’s behaviour and attitudes. People who are high in openness tend to be more adventurous, imaginative, liberal, and artistic. People who are low in openness tend to be more conservative, traditional, routine-oriented, and rigid.
Challenges to openness
Openness is a key value in many fields and domains, such as science, education, and democracy. However, openness also faces many challenges, such as:
- Resistance from established institutions or actors who benefit from closed systems or practices
- Lack of incentives or rewards for sharing information or resources openly
- Legal or ethical barriers that limit the access or use of open data or materials
- Technical or logistical difficulties in creating, maintaining, or distributing open platforms or products
- Cultural or social norms that discourage openness or favour secrecy
Famous examples of openness
Openness is a personality trait that reflects curiosity, creativity, and interest in new experiences. People who are high in openness tend to be more adventurous, imaginative, and liberal than those who are low in this trait. Some famous examples of openness are:
- Albert Einstein, who revolutionized physics with his original and innovative ideas.
- Frida Kahlo, who expressed her emotions and identity through her unique and colourful paintings.
- Mahatma Gandhi, who led a non-violent movement for India’s independence from British rule.
- J.K. Rowling, who created a magical world of wizards and witches in her bestselling Harry Potter series.
- Elon Musk, who founded several companies that aim to transform transportation, energy, and space exploration.
Openness meditation
Further reading
If you are interested in learning more about openness, you may find the following weblinks useful. They contain articles that explore different aspects of openness, such as its definition, benefits, challenges and applications.
https://hbr.org/2019/01/the-benefits-of-being-more-open
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-mindful-self-express/201209/the-power-openness
https://www.open.edu/openlearn/ocw/mod/oucontent/view.php?id=100416§ion=1
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042814050423
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