Thought experiment to get a different view of social reality: drop all labels of personality attributes when you interact with people. For a few minutes when interacting with people (real or imagined) do not make any attribution such as a “good” person or happy person, stubborn, angry, or any other label. Take note of people's behaviors and do not categorize personality or intent.
I have no doubt that the process I wrote about exists in many different fields. I can imagine a Buddhist practice might work with dropping labels. Those who practice NLP and Ericksonian Hypnosis are taught to do so as well. I have been playing with the idea for years. But surprisingly, the idea for doing it and writing about it came from playing online Poker tournaments. I noticed a few days ago that I was sometimes making attribution about players and that it was hurting my game.
I would think, "oh this guy is a novice" or "this person is a weak player" or "he is bluffs a lot." And the attributions took me away from staying in-the-moment with the person's playing. It is better to think "he raised in a situation that I would not have raised" or "I think he is bluffing, but I am not sure."
Does that make sense?
Of course, dropping labels can be deeply powerful in keeping our mind open in social situations and staying connected to people and their possibilites.
I have no doubt that the process I wrote about exists in many different fields. I can imagine a Buddhist practice might work with dropping labels. Those who practice NLP and Ericksonian Hypnosis are taught to do so as well. I have been playing with the idea for years. But surprisingly, the idea for doing it and writing about it came from playing online Poker tournaments. I noticed a few days ago that I was sometimes making attribution about players and that it was hurting my game.
I would think, "oh this guy is a novice" or "this person is a weak player" or "he is bluffs a lot." And the attributions took me away from staying in-the-moment with the person's playing. It is better to think "he raised in a situation that I would not have raised" or "I think he is bluffing, but I am not sure."
Does that make sense?
Of course, dropping labels can be deeply powerful in keeping our mind open in social situations and staying connected to people and their possibilites.