Thinking Critically - Gray or Plaid -

My grandmother taught me a short poem that's been an integral part of my life since I was a little one.

If good is white 

and black is bad, 

then all my friends 

are gray or plaid. 

I struggle when decisions are made, or conclusions are drawn, irrationally or with an either/or mindset. I know of very few choices that fit in this category. However, I do think learning how to think critically must be taught - because it is human nature (or society's) to align ourselves with "one side or the other." We're told we can't be fence sitters, and yet - what is wrong with living "in the middle." 

I can think of so many scriptures, quotes, lessons that focus on "Choose ye this day who ye will serve," and yet life is not always a "this or that," "black or white," "left or right," mentality. 

When I am pushed into making a quick decision without thinking it through rationally, I feel trapped, and I shut myself off from other opportunities, other perspectives, and I often close the door to learning. 

Yet culture demands a "stake in the sand," and requires us to never waver. And then - because we've committed to never wavering, we commit to never hearing other perspectives, or accepting because we committed rather than critically thinking through what we've been told to think. 

I see this particularly in my work and in my religion (it abounds in politics, but I'm not going there). There is so much contention and angst in my culture, and yet very little contemplation, more reaction, and a demand to take sides - "You know what is right," "Your heart will tell you," "If you're one of us, then this is the 'ONLY' way." And I beg to differ. I will research, pray, contemplate, think through, and then make a rational decision - based on my own ability to think critically. 

I won't be told - and that is often unacceptable. Yet thinking gray and plaid has given me some wonderful experiences, led me to some great learning moments, and availed to me opportunities that I would otherwise never have. 

Why limit ourselves to black and white when we live in a world of color? 

A great place to start to transition to critical thinking is to use the Buddhist teaching of “not knowing.” When we open to the fact we don’t know everything about the situation we are softened.

The very first day of class, I read my course philosophy, and I reiterate throughout the semester that critical thinking - asking why, how do I know, what does that mean, are paramount to developing intelligence: 

"Believing you understand something occurs precisely because you don’t. Don’t be afraid to question your own opinions and beliefs." (Ronda's class syllabus)

"Each time we choose a both/and mindset over an either/or mindset we release ourselves from having to find someone to blame, and we stay connected to our human experience without dehumanizing another person.

"A both/and mindset doesn’t mean we have to let go of being change-makers in the world. The world needs change-makers now more than ever. But there will never be peace and compassion in the world if we can’t do both—get in the river to feel the power and climb the mountain to see the calm. As one of my teachers at the Upaya Institute said, 'A nudge of calm can shift a storm.' Be the nudge, not the storm." (https://tinybuddha.com/blog/its-not-either-or-the-power-of-opening-your-mind-and-seeing-both-sides/)