Curiosity is an interest in something, leading to inquiry or questions and an eager wish to know or learn about something. It is a uniquely human trait – yes animals are also curious – but it is mostly the instinct to search for food or mate or some form of protection. It is only the human being who wonders about the stars and what lies beyond.
Human beings have a natural streak of curiosity. Otherwise why would we all be scrolling Facebook or Instagram to find something of interest? But this instinctive type of curiosity stems from the need to hunt and search for food, sex and protection from dangers from our animal ancestor times.
A five-year old child asks hundreds of questions in a day, but by the time they reach ten, they learn that asking questions make them look stupid. But only if you ask questions and take risks will you learn!
What we need to cultivate is the type of curiosity to know, understand and reflect for its own sake, not to get something out of it, but for the love of learning.
We can turn a boring task like cooking by being curious. We use tamarind a lot in our cooking – could I replace that with lemon juice, or tomatoes or raw mangoes? How would that taste?
Assumptions that this is the only way to cook or do dishes or do our work at office is the enemy of curiosity. Fear about what will happen if I try something new is another. Hence, those who are not used to technology refuse to try new apps and features that can make life easier for them. We don’t need an external cause like the pandemic to know how to use technology to teach students remotely. I am sure those who are using technology today must be thinking – this is so easy – why did I not do this earlier?
When we observe the breath while meditating, it can become very boring. But if we approach it with curiosity, we notice that each breath is different from the other and that itself becomes a learning experience. Meditation helps you to be observant about your own sensations, emotions and thoughts. It helps you to be more curious about them and understand how and why they work for you.
Click on the audio link below to practise a guided meditation.
Bell The Mind 
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