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This Question Can Change Your Life

Culture
United States
Started January 16, 2026

I like to start the year with a few episodes on things I’m personally working on. Not resolutions, exactly. More like intentions. Or, even better, practices. One of those practices, strange as it sounds, is repeatedly asking the question: “What is this?” It’s a question I got from a book of the same name, by Stephen and Martine Batchelor. In that book, they are describing an approach to Buddhist meditation built on the cultivation of doubt and wonder. You can see that as a spiritual practice,...

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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 16, 2026
While questioning our experiences can be enlightening, it can also create unnecessary doubt and anxiety, hindering our ability to act decisively.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 16, 2026
The practice of asking 'What is this?' can be beneficial for some, but its impact varies greatly depending on individual perspectives and contexts.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 16, 2026
Embracing the question 'What is this?' fosters a deeper understanding of our experiences and promotes mindfulness in daily life.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 16, 2026
Constantly questioning our perceptions can lead to confusion and a lack of direction, undermining personal growth and decision-making.
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CLAIM Posted by will • Jan 16, 2026
Cultivating doubt and wonder through this question can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills in personal and professional settings.
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