What is the key to having an open mind?

Question

There are so many people with very strong oppinions. They all accuse each other for having closed minds. Is there a good way to enshure your mind is open?

Answer 1

The key is have many keys, to open different doors.

Answer 2

I suppose that if you attempt to be non-judgemental generally, and recognize external sources for all your values and ideas of good and evil.  

If you can examine the wilder ideas (UFOs, telekinesis, ghosts) and look for consistency between accounts, or allow for the possibility of witness(es) under stress, that may be a good sign.

Answer 3

I agree with Robert R, as we should be prepared to listen to both sides, as just listening to one side and not wanting to listen to the other side. For an example if there is some kind of problem say between a husband and wife, and the in-laws of both sides wants to help in some way, and one side only wants to hear their son/daughters side of events then that is being closed minded, whereas if they were to listen to both sides of just what the problem is that is being open minded and the problem can get sorted out better and faster.

Answer 4

by hearing both sides then making your opinion that would be the best to have an open mind, also getting out of typical surrounding and seeing what other people have to do the same thing you do to survive will give you an open mind

Answer 5

It's all in taking a few seconds to THINK before you go shooting off at the mouth (or fingers, when ur typing).

I accept all people.  I've worked years to get to that point of having an almost completely open mind.    I may not agree with their ideas, but even people like the radical muslim terrorists... I can see where they're coming from.   They have their beliefs.   I think their beliefs are stupid, but understand that that's probably all they know, and so I can accept it.

Stuff like that's the key to an open mind.   Putting yourself in the other person/group's shoes for a minute, wondering  'if I only know what they know, how would I think'.

That's how you keep an open mind.

Answer 6

My favorite phrase is " mind is like parachute it works best when it is open" The only way that you can be open minded is to hear attentively everything that is said . To judge everything that is said but with a critical and to-relative mind. That means that you can admit that you are wrong with your opinion and that you can understand the other opinion. The most important is that there is no one though that many thoughts.