If we’re dealing with a problem that seems intractable, it may be tempting to assume that this means there is no way to solve it. When we become fixed on one way of looking at the situation, we forgo all the solutions that might arise from looking at the situation from another direction.
The mind becomes fixed on certain perspectives because of habit. Every time that we look at a situation a certain way and take action based on that we strengthen the pattern inherent in that exercise. For example, if we spend all our time in the city of Toronto north of the waterfront, we will never know what it looks like from south of the waterfront (e.g., from the island).
If we are able to successfully change the pattern, we can see and then redirect our energy into a range of more productive paths. Suddenly routes that seemed blocked will appear open and problems that seemed unsolvable can be solved.
The method that we use to become open to new ways of doing things is called Vipassana which literally means “seeing clearly”. By actively practicing observation in a repeated fashion, we replace the habit of singular focus on a fixed perspective with a habit of openness to change and new ideas. With this new habit, we can unlock a river of new solutions.