The Principle of Free-Thinking Mind and Spirit –
The following is Cal’s note on Beyond Conformity from Triphasic Training 2.
Triphasic Training Principle 29
It has become increasingly common for people to strive in vain for the elusive concept of thinking “outside the box”; however, what many fail to recognize is that all of one’s belief systems are self-constructed with influences from good or bad that they have accepted. If an individual consciously resists accepting everything they learn or hear from deceptive educators, information-spreading but knowledge-lacking social media influencers, politically driven news outlets, and self-serving politicians without question, then boxes will cease to exist and no longer impede their thought process.
If you have to live within these boxes, please embrace the potential to change boxes, both figuratively and literally. Let go of any need for static conformity and take a step into unfamiliar territory. It may not be easy, but you could find yourself in an entirely new realm with greater possibilities than ever before. Life on earth during your time will look vastly different once free of these imaginary conforming structures that have been limiting your growth, making you feel like an outcast if your true self is unrecognizable from what was expected or accepted previously from society, peers, or narrow-minded family members.
The real path to freedom lies in rejecting societal norms, resisting manipulation, and allowing unrestricted growth (a.k.a. potentially being labeled as a “weirdo” or “not normal”). There is a sense of humility in acknowledging the various perspectives and experiences that shape individuals. For society at large, this presents a challenge, as it means those with influence over others can’t efficiently use the influences according to their own designs. This reminds me that I would like to express my gratitude to my contrarian peers for challenging me, which has helped me to refine and validate various methods. Despite the countless benefits of a free-thinking mind and spirit, only a precious few can overcome the stigma and reach true liberation, which I will confidently never reach, but the process, journey, and struggle is the way.
Speaking out against predefined beliefs carries with it a great risk for the “liberated multi-dimensional thinkers”, regardless of the popularity of conventional fitness and training experts. By going against conforming to what others—including institutions, sponsors, or advertisers who may influence our ability to earn an income—want us to do and thinking in their box, we are left feeling uncomfortable that a high school strength and speed coach from Illinois or a high school football coach from Buffalo, New York, could be so right when so many prominent experts appear incorrect in multiple instances.
If you have experienced a shift in your perception after reading the previous paragraphs, you must now take on this responsibility to accept different perspectives even if those perceptions are not shared by others. With this responsibility, it is necessary for you as an individual to accept the differing views of others and not seek to exclude them or change their thinking. Instead, strive for an understanding of others’ views that respects human rights and contradictory thoughts and opinions while heading toward greater well-being and enlightenment—without forcing another’s opinion upon them. This shift in mindset encourages new opportunities on our collective journey forward as we learn from each other’s perspectives.
Cal Dietz, author of Triphasic Training 2
Be Bold and Brave for Others Less Fortunate, Cal Dietz
This was inspired by my late great friend Mel Cunningham Siff.
- Stanovich, K. E., & West, R. F. (1997). Reasoning independently of prior belief and individual differences in actively open-minded thinking. Journal of Educational Psychology, 89(2), 342-357.Haran, U., Ritov, I., &
- Mellers, B. A. (2013). The role of actively open-minded thinking in information acquisition, accuracy, and calibration. Judgment and Decision Making, 8(3), 188-201.
- Pennycook, G., Cheyne, J. A., Koehler, D. J., & Fugelsang, J. A. (2020). On the belief that beliefs should change according to evidence: Implications for conspiratorial, moral, paranormal, political, religious, and science beliefs. Judgment and Decision Making, 15(4), 476-498.
- Zmigrod, L., Zmigrod, S., Rentfrow, P. J., & Robbins, T. W. (2019). The psychological roots of intellectual humility: The role of intelligence and cognitive flexibility. Personality and Individual Differences, 141, 200-208.
