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How do I investigate? What is investigation? What does it mean to think critically? How do I objectively find truths? Is that a good thing? Is it bad to not question? What happens if I just accept what I am told without investigating? What happens if I investigate and find something that is contrary to my past thoughts and changes what I believe? What happens if I find something out that frees me? What happens if I question and am extremely happy with the results?
What are the basic questions to help me investigate? Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Can? Will? Is? Are?
Affirmation: "I believe with freedom comes responsibility. I want to make decisions to celebrate my freedoms and own my responsibilities." (by way of adaptation from Victor Frankl "Man's Search for Meaning")
One psychology definition of "critical thinking" states: "Critical thinking means making reasoned judgments that are logical and well-thought out. It is a way of thinking in which you don't simply accept all arguments and conclusions you are exposed to but rather have an attitude involving questioning such arguments and conclusions."
This is where the power of questions come in. As well as the power of real awareness. Are you aware of why you think a certain way? Where did the origin of these thoughts come?
There are experts in the investigation process. I am not claiming to be one of them. However, I do my best to objectively think for myself while doing my best not to affirm or dismiss anything without having information; whether instinctual or observable and preferably both, otherwise I ask for convicted faith. How do we discover truth? For one, it is important to question everything. Not in a way to destroy, but in a way to polish, clean, and see clearly.
One of the most important roles you can take in the collective and for your own individual self is to TELL THE TRUTH. Tell the truth to yourself and others. John 8:32 "And they shall know the truth and the truth shall make them free." Jesus Christ. I believe we have a responsibility for truth. "DON'T BELIEVE THE LIES." Jeremy Thiel
"Those who stick with deep ancient wisdom while using solidified wise modern science will thrive." My personal opinion as of today.
As Jim Kwik says, "It's not how smart are you, it's how are you smart?" I believe everyone who desires truth, therefore questioning from a place of peace, calm awareness, and genuine seeking truth for goodness sake, is choosing to be a very smart person.
Investigate (verb: something acted out): carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of (an incident, allegation, etc.) so as to establish the truth. (sub-definition): carry out research or study into (a subject, typically one in a scientific or academic field) so as to discover facts or information. (information discovering is VITAL). (sub-definition): makes inquiries as to the character, activities, or background of (someone). (sub-definition): make a check to find out something.
Origin: early 16th century: from Latin investigat- ‘traced out,’ from the verb investigare, from in- ‘into’ + vestigare‘track, trace out.’
The scientific method. This allows for learning repeatable actions and reactions within reason while still allowing for the supernatural and mystical while also unlearning lies. Be aware of scientism which is the fundamentalist belief that science is the end all be all and that the information we have is absolute. There is a reason scientific theories are called theories. They are holding firm until proven not true. That is the approach we must take to all sciences, continual refinement, examination, and reexamination. Remember, it can be the most likely to be true answer, however that does not make it absolute truth.
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Can? Will? Is? Are?
Application: The Scientific Method. Involves forming a hypothesis, whether generated by a curiosity, an impulse, leading from other research, or whatever motivation you have to seek truth. This can be done from observing. From there experimentation and more observation can be done. However, constructively and done wisely, it is always a feedback loop. If you find a good fact, it will keep being true. There is the Classical model of scientific method. Part of the method is sharing results and allowing for peers to review your claims. Apparently there is also the Hypothetico-deductive model (what happens if you assume this to be true). Pragmatic model (deals in practicalities). And I'm sure more that I do know of formally, more I may be aware of innately and those that I do not know formally or innately, transcendent information. I cannot practically put all the information down on one post as I want to keep your attention long enough to read this and actually gain insight, rather than just facts.
Application: Awareness Meditation. Be still. Become aware of your heart consciousness, if you are not already living from that place fully. Become aware of yourself. Witness your thoughts. Witness without judgment. Witness your body. Scan and perceive. Witness from a higher place of unconditional love towards yourself, the love that GOD has for you. Spend a considerable amount of time witnessing your thoughts in a place of stillness. Observe where these thoughts came from. Observe what emotions come with these thoughts. Allow yourself to unlearn lies. Investigate yourself. Deep reflection. Contemplation. Allow yourself to not have the full truth in that moment if that is the case while still having your moral and ethical direction as well as your spiritual compass that beats in your chest. Allow yourself to wisely hold firm with the truth you do know.
This allows for a person to really examine their being and their motivations. To get closer to knowing yourself, others, and the world you live in. I recommend spending time with a few different wise elders and trained psychologists who have succeeded in their quests ethically to gain insight into cognitive thought processing.
Books to read: The Holy Bible,
"Man's Search for Meaning." Victor Frankl
"Open Focus Brain." Dr. Les Fehmi
"Unbeatable Mind." by Commander Mark Divine
"The World As I See It" by Albert Einstein
Subjects of Interest: Cognitive Psychology, Behavioral Psychology, Cognitive Dissonance, and Open Focus Meditation.
Psychology is an applied science, it is a tool, not a fact. Be aware of this people who diagnosis others unwisely. People are adaptable, all people are adaptable by nature. You are adaptable. Love transforms people. "And the second (greatest commandment) is like it, love thy neighbor as thyself." Mark 12:31 said by Jesus by way of Moses in Leviticus 19:18 "And thou shall not have hate in your heart for your neighbor but should love your neighbor as yourself."
CURIOSITY DID NOT KILL THE WISE HUMAN. Be wise in your search for truth. Do not indoctrinate your children in fear but in truth. Curiosity has led to the expansion and development of humanity as a whole and for the experience of individuals. Wise curiosity that is. I do not believe intuition alone is worthy of truth all the time. Of course, we are allowed to have an intuition, be firm in it, and still question it for the sake of our best choice. However, I have heard elders say, if GOD speaks it, it's a good thing, do it.
I believe it is a good thing to seek out the truth; spiritual, rational, instinctual, and intuitionally. I believe that we can learn truths and different layers of truths. However, do you revisit something again after you have new information? Have you questioned what really is the healthiest diet? Not just the "do what works for you" and "listen to your body" approach. Those are advices for those who are already healthy and haven't been sick in years. If you have been sick, that is a sign. There are those who have not been sick for decades, and they have a lifestyle and diet that is approachable and repeatable. Do you see now why I bring this up? It is beyond world peace. It is also for individual peace and prosperity. For the world to know peace, you must know peace. We must objectively look for scientific truths while still honoring the spiritual truths such as love, which is hard to measure, however can be observed. Love from others has brought healing to my own being. All the self education and self help did not change the fact that I needed to be loved to experience wholeness and being healed.
Investigation is also the process of gathering enough information to overcome doubt. Yes, there are spiritual aspects that I believe triumph good old intellect. I also believe there is intellect that elevates spiritual truths. I am not writing this as a, I have all the answers post, but as a 'critical thinking and investigation is still an important topic that needs to be addressed societally, especially from those who have succeeded in inner peace and outer triumph.'
As I have heard in a Biblical discovery class, we must overcome 1. Doubt of the mind. 2. Doubt of the heart. 3. Doubt of being double minded. Adapted prayer we were advised; "I ask Holy Spirit to lead me to the right knowledge."
Can you remember when you started to question reality? If we did not have people who accepted critical thinking, we would not have flying, phones, advanced agriculture, transportation, and more. What happens if you don't think for yourself? Do you like the trajectory your on? You have the power to influence reality and your life now and in the future.
Power words: Dream, Concentration, Clarity, Learn, Observe, Focus, Process, Outcome, Trust, Choice, Consistency, Contemplation. Reflection.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution." Albert Einstein
"I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination encircles the world" Albert Einstein
"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein
"It's what you learn after you know it all that counts." Earl Weaver
"Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character." Albert Einstein
Next subject: Identity.