Why tolerating diversity is not enough?

 We are living in an ever-changing world. It is interesting to observe how rapidly things are changing – an actual transition from a modern epoch with an emphasis on integration and assimilation to a post-modern era where the constructivist individual endeavor is gaining primacy. This change obviously demands a change in thought-process and conduct. The more I experience things around me, the more I realize how noble it is not to just tolerate diversity but to engage with it. What do I actually mean by “engaging”? It couldn’t have been better explained but by Prof. Michael Sandel – a political philosopher at Harvard University. We need to “morally reinvigorate public discourse,” says Prof. Sandel, “to develop an idea of mutual respect not by avoiding competing views but by engaging with them including spiritual and moral conceptions (delivered during his talk titled “Are there things money shouldn’t be able to buy?" available on Youtube).

I have hands-on experience with how my worldview keeps changing the more I engage with people on different levels, which has further implications for challenging negative stereotypes and prejudices and creating more understanding and love for differences. The salient components in this process of engagement, however, are an open heart and mind or at least some degree of courage. This process in itself can also contribute in widening our hearts and minds with further implications. It may contribute, for instance, to a process of revitalization of ideas and concepts that may be on the brink of extinction. It may inculcate us with a rather productive thought-process and eagerness to indulge in learning more. It may contribute to an increased level of curiosity for learning. This may eventually have a contribution in reducing depression and anxiety, which is quite widespread and vastly growing in our generation. From my personal experience, the more I feed my brain with positive and effective forms of information through different means, indulging with diversity through human interaction on different levels as one example, the more it gets nourished instead of allowing it to shrink by processing the same thoughts and information over and over again, which are mostly formed based on certain assumptions.

I am on a journey to channel my thought process more effectively and productively!