Clarity is Kindness. An ideology contemplated, deliberated, and expanded upon often in our Mindful Mondays. The clarity of one’s beliefs, intentions, thoughts, reflections, and decisions creates a path for an ideal life. With clarity, one may create a life free of drama and self-deception. In furtherance of this idealism, clarity is enhanced through the communication of questions or questioning. Answers only exist because of questions. Therefore, great answers are often a byproduct of great questions.
“The ability to ask questions is the greatest resource in learning the truth.” – Carl Jung in Modern Man in Search of a Soul
In structuring a great question:
About Transparency - Here, the communicator must be as specific as possible as to what is needed. The questioner should divulge the category of answer that is anticipated; advice, technical information, or no answer at all, which is often the case when rhetorical questions are utilized.
Prepping for the Question - The second part of a great question is the disclosure of what has been done thus far to answer the question. Was research done and was anyone else presented with the same question? Research first, and then present what was found when asking the question. This is the responsible and thoughtful first step before consuming someone else’s time. In addition, it is good-mannered and kind to inform whether or not the question has been presented to another.
Expectation Management – This disclosure should be made so as not to serve the questioner but rather to serve the one obliged to answer. If the answer is needed immediately, claim it so. A properly asked question will establish the expectation regarding both the level of urgency and degree of need.
Questionable Intent - Intent is the most important element of the question, even more important than the communication of what is needed (the question). As it is in all life. The intent of the question does determine the karmic providence. As Buddha said, “Intending, one does karma.”
Below are eight classifications of intent when it comes to asking questions:
-Curiosity-
-Need-
-Manipulation-
-Laziness-
-Judgment-
-Guidance-
-Rhetoric-
-Salutations & Platitudes-
Before asking, ask yourself why you ask in order to always remain mindful of Intent. For as it is, Intent generates a force of energy that returns in like kind.
