Cultivating Curiosity

            A former student of mine left a comment in the “La Buena Vida” post from two days ago. He talked about how the good life is often directly in front of us but we are quick to dismiss it by taking those aspects of life for granted. I think Korey made an important point in an understated way. Namely, the philosophical life requires incessant inquisitiveness.

            Philosophers—whether the archetypes from ancient times, the academicians working in universities today, or even the everyday wannabe philosophers such as myself—have one commonality that they all share: curiosity. And not just an ordinary sense of curiosity, an overwhelming one. Philosophers are people who have cultivated and nurtured this sense of curiosity to such a degree that they can be endlessly fascinated by seemingly simple things. The word curious even comes from the Latin root meaning “careful” or “diligent.” And that’s what we all must learn to be. To be careful and diligent, to leave no stone unturned, which is why philosophy can be threatening at times. No scientific theory can be too cherished, no belief system too sacred, all must be scrutinized in an effort to promote greater understanding of ourselves, the universe, and our roles within it.

            The question remains—how do we cultivate our curiosity? For me personally, it came naturally to a certain degree due to my propensity for reading any and all types of books. Looking back on it now, raised by a teacher and nurtured by these books, it’s not surprising that I came to be the avid, lifelong learner that I have become (or am in the process of becoming). Add to this a daily mindfulness meditation practice over the last five years, and my sense of wonder and curiosity seem to know no bounds. I would suggest beginning with something about which you are endlessly captivated and let your interests radiate outward from there. You’ll be surprised in no time how curious you are becoming about other aspects of life as well.

            What about you? What are you curious about? If you’re not curious about anything, why do you think that is? Are there other avenues to developing this sense of curiosity about the world? Yourself? If so, what are they and why have they worked for you?