The differences in manners, in customs, in habits, in thoughts, opinions and in temperaments is the cause of the adornment of the world of mankind. This is praiseworthy. Likewise this difference and this variation, like the difference and variation of the parts and members of the human body, are the cause of the appearance of beauty and perfection.I've been thinking a bit about the notion of the value of differences of temperaments among people, and the corollary that there is no ideal temperament, but rather each temperament has something unique to contribute to the world. In a similar vein, Psychology Today's website contains an article by Elizabeth Svoboda examining the phenomenon introverts, or, to use the article's term, "loners"--people who tend to be more solitary in their living patterns. The article's premise is that "[l]oners are pitied in our up-with-people culture. But the introvert reaps secret joy from the solitary life." Svoboda writes:
Previous MRI studies have shown that during social situations, specific areas in the brains of loners experience especially lively blood flow, indicating a sort of overstimulation, which explains why they find parties so wearying. But Guyer's results suggest that introverts may be more attuned to all sorts of positive experiences as well. This added sensitivity, she speculates, could mean that people who are reserved have an ability to respond quickly to situations—such as coming to your aid in a moment of need—or show unusual empathy to a friend, due to their strong emotional antennae.While our interconnectedness and interdependence are undeniable, it is interesting to consider the spectrum of personalities that comprise humanity, and the diversity of ways in which people approach engaging with each other. I wonder if the term "loner" is even a useful one, or if perhaps people who fall in the general category described in the article merely prefer to engage with others in a unique way.Research by San Francisco psychotherapist Elaine Aron bears out Guyer's hunch, demonstrating that withdrawn people typically have very high sensory acuity. Because loners are good at noticing subtleties that other people miss, Aron says, they are well-suited for careers that require close observation, like writing and scientific research. It's no surprise that famous historical loners include Emily Dickinson, Stanley Kubrick, and Isaac Newton.
It would be interesting to see if studies could further attempt to understand and identify the strengths of various personality types and temperaments, and if organizational structures could be devised in such a manner as to maximize the potential of each person. Perhaps even the mere consciousness of the benefit of our diversity in all of its forms is a big step in the direction of promoting the appearance of the beauty and perfection of humanity that 'Abdu'l-Baha describes.
Your thoughts?
12 comments:
think that our different personalities are a great asset in all parts of our lives, but mostly in our work. Many career counseling offices have some sort of program to help student match their personality to the best career choice. The University of Waterloo in Canada has a particularly good one http://www.cdm.uwaterloo.ca/steps.asp
Great food for thought. When I worked at a Baha'i school, I participated with the other staff members in a series of indexes to assess personality, temperament, etc. and was astonished to discover that these variations seem to be the REAL diversity. And the one that we would most benefit from leveraging and coordinating. Just imagine the power of the kind of education that focuses first on recognizing and maximizing these in the process of developing virtues.
Dear Claudine,
Thank your comment and for that wonderful web resource. The assessment tools on the website look very thorough and systematic! I look forward to investigating it some more.
Dear Phyllis,
I really like the idea of leveraging and coordinating the diversity of temperaments that we find in the world. As you mention, it seems that the implications of this for the process of education and the development of virtues are very significant. Thank you for your comment!
I'm so glad you bring up this point of diversity. You might find of interest a book "The Introvert Advantage: How to Trhive in an Extrovert World" by Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D. She wrote the book because she saw a need for it, both in delivering accurate information and in suggesting practical means of dealing with introvert "wiring" (a physical reality) and the related qualities/approach to the world -- which is needed just as much as those extrovert qualities that our culture openly prizes. (Even the dictionary, she found, puts a negative spin on introversion.)
For example, an introvert may need to be asked for his/her opinion in a conversation (esp. in a group), and what he/she shares may be quite valueable to the group discussion. An introvert can participate in social gatherings, but needs solitary time before/after to replenish energy. (Extroverts receive energy from socializing, while an introvert's energy is depleted.) I wish I had had this information much earlier in my marriage/family life and as an understanding in consultation generally, as it would have helped me to honor the differences of personalities, and adjust expectations all around. I agree with Phyllis that these sorts of personality differences are at the heart of diversity. -- Druzelle
Dear Druzelle,
Thank you for your thought provoking comment. The book you mention sounds fascinating; I hope to read it some day.
I also really appreciate the point you made about seeking out people's opinions who might not speak up otherwise in consultation. My experience is that when this is done, the thoughtful comments it generates greatly enriches the discussion and contributes greatly to the diversity of viewpoints that makes consultation effective.
First I must say how very happy I am to have discovered this blog. I feel I have found a "soulmate" and, speaking as a "loner", that is a difficult thing to do. The article opens up many insights into my own difficulties with social interactions and also helps me to better understand other people in my life. The suggestion that some of us may have increased sensitivity to emotional events leads me to the subject of autism. I have a granddaughter who has that affliction and she cannot bar to hear a baby crying or a dog barking or people arguing, Autism is so poorly understood - I wonder whether there could be a connection there.
Dear Marteaga,
Thank you so much for your note. I'm glad that you enjoyed the article.
Autism is such a mysterious phenomenon to me, and I often wonder what insights we will gain into its nature in the future.
I think part of the bigger question related to these issues is societal acceptance of our true diversity. It seems like much of the strain that people of all different sorts face relates to the need to fit into a particular societal ideal mold. That is what I love so much about the passage above from 'Abdu'l-Baha, and about this principle of unity in dversity more generally. As we learn to appreciate and even marvel at each others differences, it seems like the natural result would be a release of a tremendous amount of human potential. It's nice to think that this process is already under way!
Thanks again for your comment, I hope to hear from you again soon!
Victor, way cool post. Way cool.
This idea of accepting people for who they are is so basic, yet so true and good. You are never going to have a community of people who think the same thoughts, speak the same words, eat the same foods, listen to the same music, have the same attitudes, etc.
Diversity is not just about having people of different colors and languages hanging around. It is much more than that. And the more we take away the leashes that try to get everyone else to conform to the norm, and let them be themselves without shaking heads and "I told you so's", the better this world will be on the whole.
With the heart of every community, is each individual comprising it. Allowing each individual to find their OWN niche without coercion, persuasion, or any other manipulative means; the more the community as a whole will thrive.
Thanks, Phillipe. Always good to hear from you. Keep up the good work at Baha'i Thought.
Thanks Muslim-Baha'i Rocker for your thoughtful comment. I like the idea of diversity being more than having different types of people around, but rather creating an environment in which each person can find their niche and play a role in helping the community to thrive.
I'm glad to see that we're beginning to look further than the obvious differences amongst us to the more subtle ones that really define and characterize us.
If you haven't read Psychosynthesis by Roberto Assagioli, M.D., I highly recommend it to gain an appreciation of ourselves and each other. The first part of his work helps to identify and resolve the inner resistance or acceptance as it occurs in our self-relationship, which then is externalized in relationship with others. The next part helps us to embrace our differences in order to enjoy and appreciate our oneness with ease.
The principles of Ayurveda are also essential preparation for living in unity and harmony with ourselves and each other, whether as families, communities, organizations or nations. Its based on the five elements - space, air, fire, water and earth. All physical life is composed of these elements. Each element has unique and distinct characteristics, each of which is necessary and vital to life. Each of us in creation is a unique and distinct composition or combination of these elements.
We can have too much of one thing, not enough of another - its all about balance. Appropriate action resulting in healthy life begins with awareness, knowledge, and choice. This is the dance.
Dear Sumitra,
Thank you for this wonderful comment! Would you be interested in authoring a guest post on this topic for this blog?
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