Holistic thinking

Contents

1. Holistic thinking:

• What is Holistic thinking? Who is a Holistic Thinker?

• How to become a Holistic thinker?

• ENDING

Holistic Thinking

Beginning

What is Holistic thinking? Who is a Holistic Thinker?

From an early age, I have delved into a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, languages, martial arts, sports, traveling, philosophy, and art.

While seemingly unrelated, these spheres have collectively painted a complete picture of the world for me.

But what exactly does it mean to have a "whole" picture?

This is my definition: To me, a whole picture represents the synthesis of our interests, life experiences, and biases.

While our individual life experiences vary, we often share common interests and biases.

It is these biases that I want to explore further because they shape our perceptions and understanding of the world.

WHY? Because we are full of them. Each one of us is full of sh*t. Even our heroes, who we love and look up to. If we are brave enough - then we must admit that our saints are also full of sh*t - because we are all HUMAN. But the thing is

The essence of the problem is: Don’t drink where you shit. Don’t shit where you live. Yet what we humans do is the contrary: We drink where we shit. We shit where we live.

This is where Holistic approach comes into play.

Why you should get better at thinking holistically?

1) You might be manipulated if you don’t think holistically;

2) You might be fooled;

3) You might get stuck when thinking very narrowly;

4) You become defensive of your pathological point of view.

Holistic thinking holds immense value in our lives. Without it, we risk being manipulated, deceived, and trapped in narrow perspectives.

By adopting a holistic mindset, we become more open to understanding the bigger picture and avoid falling prey to limited thinking.

Secondly, we all have egos. For the sake of the argument - our circles of concern, Circles of responsibility.

But what Life requires from us is to be more empathetic - meaning you must increase your circle of concern.

Instead, what we tend to do is to narrow down as much as we can - we do that in order to understand our borders of responsibility.

Sometimes we want to figure out a solution to our problem, but in fact we are getting a small solution to a far bigger problem.
We are blind, so we don’t see how we are getting just a slice of pie.
In some sense, when it comes to holistic thinking - the taste of a piece does not equal to the taste of the whole pie.

In a sense, you are easily manipulated if you are not willing to see the bigger picture.

In politics it happens all the time: 

You might want to have the rights to have a business, so you are going to vote for the politician who will be the most pro-business in the country. But overall, this person might not be the best for your country.

What about healthcare, what about economy, ecology, education, corruption issues, or foreign policy. Are you actually only concerned about ONE particular issue?

It becomes increasingly obvious that you can’t be more concerned about one issue while abandoning other issues.

Another example: Let’s take happiness. I’ve made a twitter thread about this topic.

You must consider TOTALITY of the situation.

Following only one direction of your concern actually leads to pathology. You don’t want to become pathological, right?

Yes, I understand perfectly well that the concept of happiness is different for everyone, but there are two main components to being happy:

1) Fulfillment you get from achieving your goals: Building a business, selling your artworks, getting bachelors degree, running a marathon, buying a car you’ve always wanted to drive - there is huge amount of such examples.

2) Fulfillment you get from doing nothing: Meditation, contemplating nature, drinking a cup of tea etc.

Hence, Happiness can be viewed as a skill you must master, yet it is a state you should stop pursuing. There must be a balance between both.

You must find a balance between the chaos of arts and discipline of a master.

This is why holistic thinking is essential.

Now that we understand the significance of holistic thinking, let's explore practical ways to cultivate this mindset.

How to become a Holistic thinker?

If you’ve managed to read up to this point, you might started thinking that you are NOT a Holistic Thinker. And you might have never been one at the first place.

Yes, I will repeat myself here: we are all full of our biases. But don’t worry, it is possible to overcome some of them. Even if you overcome one - you win, right?!

Here are 6 ways how you cultivate Holistic mindset.

1. Embrace diverse perspectives:

   Seek out different viewpoints and actively listen to others.

   Engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.

   This exposure to different perspectives broadens your understanding and helps you see the interconnectedness of ideas and experiences.

2. Cultivate curiosity: 

   Develop a curious mindset and a thirst for knowledge.

   Explore various subjects, disciplines, and fields of study.

   Read books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, and attend lectures on a wide range of topics.

   This intellectual curiosity expands your mental horizons and encourages holistic thinking.

3. Connect the dots: 

   Look for connections and patterns between seemingly unrelated concepts. Draw parallels between different areas of your life and identify how they influence one another.

   For example, consider how your physical well-being impacts your mental and emotional state, or how your personal relationships affect your professional success.

   Recognizing these interdependencies enhances your ability to think holistically.

4. Practice systems thinking: 

   Adopt a systems thinking approach, which involves understanding the relationships between various elements within a larger system.

   Analyze how changes in one part of the system can ripple throughout the entire system.

   This approach helps you appreciate the complexity and interconnected nature of the world.

5. Develop empathy: 

   Cultivate empathy by putting yourself in others' shoes. Try to understand their perspectives, emotions, and motivations.

   This empathetic understanding allows you to consider multiple viewpoints and appreciate the interconnectedness of human experiences.

   Empathy fosters holistic thinking by transcending personal biases and promoting a broader understanding of the world.

6. Emphasize interdisciplinary learning: 

   Break down the barriers between different fields of study. Seek opportunities to integrate knowledge from various disciplines and apply them to real-world situations.

   For example, explore how principles from psychology can enhance your understanding of economics or how artistic techniques can inspire innovative problem-solving in technology.

   This interdisciplinary approach encourages holistic thinking by blending diverse perspectives and methodologies.

7. Reflect and meditate:

   Take time for self-reflection, and introspection. Engage in practices like meditation, mindfulness, or journaling to develop a deeper understanding of your thoughts, emotions, and beliefs.

   These practices cultivate self-awareness, which is essential for holistic thinking.

   By understanding yourself better, you can better recognize how your own biases and experiences shape your perspectives.

8. Embrace complexity:

   Embrace the inherent complexity of life and resist the urge to oversimplify. Recognize that many issues have multiple dimensions and nuances.

   Avoid reducing complex topics to simplistic binary choices.

   Embracing complexity encourages holistic thinking by acknowledging the intricacies and interrelationships that exist in the world.

This list might seem overwhelming, but hear me out.

Here is where YOU need to trust me that it works.

This is why Holistic thinking works LONG-TERM:

• You become a better leader:

  Holistic thinking enhances your leadership abilities by enabling you to consider multiple perspectives and make well-informed decisions. As a leader, you must navigate complex situations and understand the interconnectedness of various factors.

  By thinking holistically, you can grasp the bigger picture, anticipate potential impacts, and guide your team or organization towards more effective and sustainable outcomes.

• You become a system-thinker: 

  Holistic thinking encourages a systems thinking approach, which means understanding the interconnectedness and interdependencies within a larger system.

  This mindset allows you to analyze the relationships between different elements and consider how changes in one area can influence the entire system.

  By embracing systems thinking, you can identify leverage points, address root causes instead of symptoms, and develop comprehensive solutions to complex problems.

•  You expand your consciousness of what’s possible:

  Holistic thinking broadens your awareness of possibilities and expands your thinking beyond conventional boundaries. It challenges you to explore alternative perspectives, unconventional approaches, and innovative ideas.

  By embracing a more expansive consciousness, you can break free from limiting beliefs, explore new possibilities, and find creative solutions to challenges that may have seemed insurmountable before.

• You become a better human. A better version of yourself:

  Holistic thinking encompasses a holistic approach to personal growth and self-improvement. By adopting a holistic mindset, you prioritize the development of all aspects of your being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

  This commitment to personal growth fosters self-awareness, empathy, and a deeper understanding of yourself and others. It allows you to align your actions with your values, make conscious choices, and cultivate a sense of fulfillment and well-being.
  

  Essentially, these outcomes contribute to your overall effectiveness, enable you to navigate complexity with confidence, and foster a greater sense of purpose and fulfillment in both your personal and professional life.

ENDING

Unholistic thinking creates duality and division, while embracing holistic thinking cultivates unity and interconnectedness.

By adopting a holistic mindset, we have the power to transcend limited perspectives and embrace the richness and complexity of the world around us. Through holistic thinking, we can bridge gaps, foster understanding, and find innovative solutions to the multifaceted challenges we face.

Let us embark on this transformative journey of holistic thinking, where we embrace the interconnectedness of all things, nurture empathy and compassion, and strive towards a harmonious and sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.

Together, let us unlock the potential of holistic thinking and co-create a world where unity, harmony, and holistic understanding prevail.

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Till next time!

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1. Hero’s Journey