CORRECTING OUR NEGATIVITY BIAS

Buddhist author Tara Brach makes this observation which most of us can relate to:  "Evolution has rigged all of us with a negativity bias—a survival-driven habit to scan for what’s wrong and fixate on it."  Ms. Brach adds that our negativity bias is quite expansive:  "We habitually fixate on how we’re falling short—in our relationships, work, appearance, mood, and behaviors. And while self-aversion is our primary reflex, we also fixate on the faults of others—how they’re letting us down and how they should be different."

She offers these ways to disconnect from the negative:

• Actively tap into understanding.  "When triggered by others . . .try to look through the eyes of wisdom at what might be behind their behavior. How might this person be caught in their own sense of inadequacy or confusion? "
  
• Actively express compassion.  "When compassion arises, the next step is actively expressing it. This is what brings compassion fully to life."
  
• Actively include those who seem different.  "Part of our negativity bias and the cause of much racial, religious, and other domains of violence, is we assume potential danger—something wrong— associated with those who are different."
  

(read more:  https://www.lionsroar.com/from-blame-to-love/  }