Curiosity is a spiritual practice—it keeps us open to learning. It’s the ultimate mindset shift from being a critic to becoming a student of life, and honestly, it’s changed how I approach everything from team conflicts to my own personal growth.
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Meaning
At its core, this quote means that choosing to be curious is an active, almost sacred choice to remain a learner in any situation, rather than defaulting to the easier, more ego-driven position of being a judge.
Explanation
Let me break this down for you. We all have that automatic pilot that kicks in—someone says something we disagree with, and boom, our inner judge slams the gavel down. “They’re wrong.” “That’s a stupid idea.” Judgment is a closed loop. It ends the conversation, both with others and with ourselves.
But curiosity? Curiosity is an open system. When you get genuinely curious—”I wonder why they see it that way?” or “What’s the story here I’m not getting?”—you literally rewire the interaction. You step out of the arena of right versus wrong and into the classroom of understanding. It’s not about being passive; it’s about being powerful enough to suspend your own certainty for a moment to gain a deeper insight. It’s the difference between fighting a battle and solving a puzzle.
Quote Summary
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Origin & Factcheck
This wisdom comes straight from the research of Dr. Brené Brown, specifically from her 2015 book “Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice.” It’s a cornerstone of her work on vulnerability and wholehearted living. You won’t find this attributed to anyone else—it’s pure Brené, born from years of studying what it takes to get back up after a fall.
Attribution Summary
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Curiosity is a spiritual practice—it keeps us open to learning rather than locked in judgment |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2017; ISBN: Unknown (based on her talk and workbook materials); Length: ~60 pages (lecture adaptation, Sounds True audio transcript). |
| Where is it? | Section: Curiosity and Growth, Approximate Page 49 |
Context
In “Rising Strong,” this idea isn’t just a nice thought. It’s a crucial part of what she calls the “Rumble.” When we’re in the middle of a struggle—a professional failure, a personal hurt—our first instinct is to armor up and assign blame. Brown argues that the only way through is to get curious about our own stories and the emotions driving them. It’s the spiritual practice of choosing inquiry over indictment to find our way back to solid ground.
Usage Examples
So how does this play out in real life? Let me give you a couple of scenarios I see all the time.
- For Leaders & Managers: An employee misses a deadline. The judgmental response is, “They’re lazy or incompetent.” The curious response is, “I wonder what’s getting in their way? Let me ask.” This shifts the dynamic from punitive to problem-solving, building trust and uncovering the real issue.
- In Personal Relationships: Your partner snaps at you. Judgment says, “They’re being a jerk.” Curiosity whispers, “Wow, they seem really stressed. I wonder what’s going on with them today?” This simple reframe can de-escalate a potential argument and foster connection.
- For Self-Reflection: You find yourself procrastinating. Judgment beats you up: “I’m so undisciplined.” Curiosity gets investigative: “Hmm, what am I afraid of here? What about this task feels overwhelming?” This turns self-criticism into a productive coaching session with yourself.
To whom it appeals?
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FAQ
Question: Isn’t curiosity just a way to avoid taking a stand or having an opinion?
Answer: Not at all. That’s a common misconception. Curiosity comes *first*. It’s the data-gathering phase. You get curious to understand the full picture, and *then* you can make a much more informed, grounded decision or state your position from a place of true understanding, not just reaction.
Question: How is this a “spiritual” practice?
Answer: Think of spirituality as connection—to others, to ourselves, to something bigger. Judgment severs those connections. Curiosity actively builds them. It requires humility (admitting we don’t have all the answers) and a belief that there’s always more to learn, which are deeply spiritual tenets across traditions.
Question: What if the other person is just plain wrong?
Answer: Great question. Curiosity isn’t about agreeing with them. It’s about understanding *why* they hold that view. “Help me understand how you arrived at that conclusion” is a massively powerful phrase. It allows you to address the root of the error, not just the symptom, and often, you might even find a sliver of truth in their perspective you hadn’t considered.
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