We Don’t Know What We Don’t Know…
Carlo Giovanni Monsanto
The Maze of Misunderstanding
Have you ever noticed that it feels like being lost in a maze when we can't discern the real problem we're facing? We tend to come up with assumptions, hypothetical issues, scenarios, and solutions for these assumed problems. This frantic guessing game keeps us running in circles, wasting energy, and increasingly confused without addressing the root cause. It's like chasing shadows while the real issue remains hidden and unresolved. This phenomenon is not just a fleeting experience but a pervasive aspect of human cognition and communication.
The Origins of Communication
To understand this better, it is crucial to explore the origins and impacts of our early communication methods. Infants communicate their needs and emotions through a variety of nonverbal cues. A smile, a cry, or a touch can convey a myriad of messages, all of which are essential for bonding and developing trust with caregivers. As children grow, they acquire verbal skills, adding complexity to their communication abilities. However, when a child experiences developmental or other forms of trauma during this crucial developmental period, their ability to process emotions can be severely affected. Instead of integrating their nonverbal and verbal communication, they may develop a reliance on their analytical brain to cope with their environment.
The Analytical Brain in Adulthood
This reliance on the analytical brain often manifests in adulthood as a propensity to control and anticipate. Rather than experiencing and expressing emotions freely, individuals may suppress their feelings, leading to a disconnection between their thoughts and emotions. This disconnection can create a fragmented sense of self, where verbal communication becomes the primary mode of interaction, overshadowing the rich, nonverbal expressions that are equally vital.
Social Impacts of Fragmentation
The impact of this fragmentation extends beyond personal experiences. When individuals predominately use their analytical brains, societal interactions are also affected. Language, which should bridge connections, instead fosters isolation and competition. Specialized language emerges, creating barriers between different fields and communities. While useful in certain contexts, this specialization can lead to a narrow focus that disconnects from the broader, interconnected nature of human experiences.
The Deterministic Worldview
The gap in integration between verbal, nonverbal, physical, and emotional expressions leads to a deterministic worldview. Individuals begin to see their behaviors and thoughts as fixed and unchangeable, reinforcing their reactive patterns. This survival mode, marked by fear and cognitive dissonance, becomes a default state. The imbalance manifests as conflict and disorder, internally within individuals and externally in their relationships and communities.
Traditional Knowledge Systems
Traditional knowledge systems, some of which have existed for more than a millennium, say this gap in understanding or discernment is the cause of all human suffering. These systems emphasize the importance of harmonizing different aspects of oneself and one's environment. An ancient Indian compendium, ‘Charaka Samhita,’ that describes the health cultivation system called āẏur̥vēda refers to ‘intellectual error and defective judgment’ or, in Sanskrit, ‘prajñāparādha.’ It goes on to describe this as a cognitive bias that generates both agitation and isolation. This bias, because it objectifies, prevents individuals from being aware of the interconnectedness of their experiences and the world around them.
Holistic Living
For instance, many indigenous cultures emphasize the importance of holistic living, where people express their interconnectedness through body language, how they feel, how they express their emotions, and how they practice their spirituality. In contrast, modern societies often prioritize analytical thinking, leading to a segmented worldview. This segmentation contributes to the fragmentation and polarization observed in various aspects of life, from personal relationships to global politics.
Addressing Social Fragmentation
Addressing this social fragmentation requires a conscious effort to realize our underlying wholeness through understanding the influence of language on how we relate and communicate. Mindfulness, meditation, and expressive arts can help individuals reconnect with their nonverbal expressions and emotional experiences. HEAL provides practitioners with an internal reference frame to experience what reaches them from within and outside as an interconnected whole. By doing so, they can develop a more balanced approach to communication, where the verbal and nonverbal dimensions of language merge. We refer to language’s multiple dimensions as:
Witness (reference)
Focusing AND/OR Opening attention
Feeling (internal) AND/OR empathizing (external)
Sensing (internal) AND/OR emotioncy (external)
Gestures (body language)
Thinking (cognition/comprehension)
Verbalizing (speaking/writing)
Creating Inclusive Environments
Moreover, fostering environments that encourage dialogue can effortlessly integrate fragmentation. Education systems incorporating a HEAL-based curriculum merge emotional intelligence with academic learning, helping children develop a more heart-centered and integrated sense of self. Workplaces that value collaboration over competition can create cultures of inclusivity and support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the maze of misunderstanding we often find ourselves in is not an inevitable part of human existence. It results from the disintegration between verbal, nonverbal, physical, and emotional communication. By recognizing and addressing this fragmentation, we can move towards a more balanced and integrated way of living. The HEAL language project provides valuable insights into the importance of holistic understanding, reminding us that the root of human suffering lies in our cognitive biases and the failure to see the interconnectedness of our experiences. Through conscious effort and mindful practices, we can navigate the maze and uncover the real issues, leading to more meaningful and harmonious lives.
