*OPEN - also see UNFOLD, RECEPTIVE, RESPONSIVE, LISTEN, ACCESSIBLE, ACCEPT, FAITH,
Antonyms: CLOSED
The reason so many people seek without finding is that they seek with a closed mind. The basic dynamic is that the lower state of consciousness causes people to cling to their existing beliefs because these beliefs give them a sense of comfortability, security or even identity. The essential ingredient on the spiritual path is that must be willing to give up some of this sense of security in order to attain true spiritual growth. Therefore, a true spiritual seeker is always willing to look beyond his or her existing beliefs, even if it causes some insecurity and discomfort. In other words, a true seeker always chooses growth over comfortability.
(http://www.askrealjesus.com/K_JESUS_ANSWERS/K_TRAD_SPIR_TEACHINGS/readingmaterial.html)
If we are open to the new, we are growing. Seek and you will find enough pieces of truth to be able to start fitting them together. (Further, p81)
Life is meaningful with openness to growing into new and more wondrous views, vistas, and visions. (Spirituality for Dummies, p290)
The more we can OPEN ourselves to our [divine] core, the better and more quickly we shall solve our social and political problems. (Meaning, back cover)
To seek direct inspiritual contact with God, constantly keep yourself an open channel. To receive the guidance of God, it is essential that you have an open mind. The sin against the Holy Spirit is any action which prevents the activity of the Holy Spirit from taking place. (p69) Read the Bible with an open mind. (p123)(Sermon on the Mount)
If faith is truly the "firm foundation" of life, then it follows that life lived from that perspective should reflect true "Open Mindedness" to all that comes our way. Not in the sense of powerless acceptance of things as they are - but with a hopeful heart to be victorious and triumphant, not fearful and despondent. (http://martin-nowhereman.blogspot.com/2008/04/open-minded-faith.html)
The most important effort we have to make is to open our hearts in order to be in touch with the flow of creative energy within us. There is no forcing anything, no creating or manipulating any energy. Our task is to open ourselves, to be in touch with that flow. We fight and work, worry and strain, exert ourselves some more, only to attain some stupid things in the world. Yet, when it comes to making the effort to feel our own hearts, we refuse. Instead of taking our attention inside and really relating to Life, we relate to the reflections of Life going on around us. (Stillness, p166)
Openness and certainty are polar opposites. True openness is the absence of boundaries, which also implies total uncertainity. Thus, without a lot of training and preparation, it is difficult for a person to feel comfortable with things being up in the air. (Stillness, p167)
When our hearts are open, our minds become quiet. The ability to open our hearts and minds resides in the simple decision to be happy. In that decision, instead of being filled with the heaviness of our ambitions, desires, fears, and worries, a lightness within us allows us to let these things go. (Stillness, p171)
Humility which means open-mindedness or emptiness gets your ego out of the way so that they can take appropriate action or change course when needed. Humble and flexible, they're always ready to ask themselves, "What if I am wrong?" (Tao Peace, p180-1)
I need to be even more open minded into the fact that I should be more sensitive (by listening to others and remembering their situations), less independent (thereby more dependent/trusting upon God), less selfish (think more about others than self), more sympathetic (to others pain, problems, suffering), more grateful (for what I have and not what I'm lacking). And if I don't take the initiative to be more open, then God will. (Randy)
God's will can work through us far more powerfully than our own will can. We must remain open to God for his will to work through our spirit. (Awakening, p222)
The person who is alive in the Spirit can recognize spiritual things. They have eyes but they do not see. They have ears but thet do not hear (Mark 8:18). To receive the wisdom of the Scriptures, we have to be open to the Spirit. We have to turn to the Lord and let him lead us on the journey of faith. (ThemesOT, p20)
Everything we ever dreamed of is already ours, if we would only open our eyes and see it. Yet it is not only we who speak the untruth to ourseleves. Our culture tells us we have to make on our own. But the redemptive word of God tells us we are created in God's image and calls us to be re-created in the likeness of Christ. God loved created into existence and the Spirit is at work re-creating those who open their hearts to the power of God's love. To be filled with that love is to look at the world from God's perspective, to see how beautiful it is, and to behold how glorious it is becoming. (ThemesNT, p161-3)