What I tend to notice is that people tend to lend greatest credence to their own experiences and their viewpoints, no matter how bighearted and open they make themselves out to be. Certain ones, whether intentionally or unintentionally, expect people to change or see things the way they do. Viewing in the same framework, ignoring individual differences, as well as cultural differences-- that of one's personal culture, as well as ethnic culture.

Therefore, many often try to morph others into a carbon copy of themselves. Otherwise, en route that.

Which makes me suspect that could be one of the key reasons why many like to generalize and associate another's features with their's, with the greatest of ease, even if it may be an absolute polarity.

Perhaps, it could be due to consensus, given that there is strength in numbers. Or maybe, a self-centric view that one is always right and one's experiences are always the greatest. That one can be the only person to adopt the viewpoint initially, or is allowed to feel a certain way.

Which runs counter in a self-defeating manner to what happens later-- the move to make others adopt that same viewpoint or live life in that same way, whilst the originator remains as the initial proponent and the key to the Gospel Truth.

Change, to take place in another, is a gradual thing. Even if the one who requires the change recognizes it. One still has to consider wider variables, acknowledge the fact that the other party is different, as well as be sensitive. To the other party, and the other people and variables in that person's life. Just like in the case of establishing institutions, time is one of the crucial factors that allows for something to become solidly rooted.

Yet, this is merely my viewpoint. Not something I intend to impose on another, but rather something I live my life by. Or, am hoping to, for now.

It makes me more tolerant and forgiving of others. It also makes for deeper understanding, because one of the steps in life is to know oneself-- i.e. the self that is detached in different contexts and times, an integration of the different selves to the best of one's knowledge. After knowing oneself, one might potentially acknowledge that there is so much one cannot grasp. And the crucial next step would be the ability to unlearn what one has learnt-- to demolish certain assumptions, and call for greater openness in the diversity that is ever-present.

And to know that one is never the greatest. Neither should one apply all of one's views upon another. Recognizing that interpretation is always incomplete. One-sided, imperfect, and subjective. Always with an element of the emotional. The crux lies in finding the tailor-made solutions, to the best of one's ability, perhaps modeling roughly upon another's solutions, but not totally. Flexibility in the midst of guidelines; agency in the midst of structure; fluidity in the midst of solidity.

The process is humbling. Yet, it is not one that calls for inane pessimism.

Nothing is emptiness. Emptiness is nothing. Knowing my nothing can be a fulfilling and enriching experience for me.

Because so many facets of life and truths that I once took to be solid and immutable constantly get stripped away, all I know and am certain of is my Nothing.

My Nothing makes me stronger.


If one doesn't empty oneself, how can one be filled?