Open-Mindedness

What does it really mean to have an "open-mind"? Is it just another name for "tolerance?" I wonder. Many years ago, I heard someone say that they did not want to be "tolerated" - they wanted to be understood or accepted, but definitely not tolerated. The underlying implication being that tolerance was kind of a "putting up with" cause there appeared to be no other choice.

In our ever-widening world of connections with different people, different cultures, different foods, etc., I wonder sometimes if we are truly curious and open-minded as we walk next to our "siblings" in this life. And, if we are truly "one" in the overarching definition of the connectedness of all life, then do we not already sense and know our brother in Angola...our sister in Tahiti. What gives rise to our inward wariness to embrace that which is different? What is it that calls our hearts to open?

I believe as we more completely embrace our own essence and begin to live within the comfort of our own unity with life itself, as we begin to understand ourselves and begin to accept ourselves (imperfections and all), we more readily lose our attachment to our own long-held opinions, beliefs, ideas and feelings of separation. It is this awareness that truly opens our hearts and minds. Tolerance loses its grip and becomes part of our past behavior.

Open-mindedness opens the door to acceptance, connection, creativity and love. It opens the door to deeper intimacy, especially with ourselves.