Benefit of Doubt
The art of constant self-reflection to overcome your inherent ego
We’ve all had those moments where an argument spirals and leaves us with a sense of regret—where the outcome didn’t go the way you hoped. In that moment, were you struggling to give the other person—or the situation—the benefit of the doubt?
History has shown, through the wisdom of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, that offering the benefit of the doubt in challenging situations or moral dilemmas leads to more unbiased resolutions. Just as Gandhi’s principle of non-violence teaches us, responding with patience and understanding, rather than reacting in anger, can bring peace both to the situation and to ourselves...
“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” - Mahatma Gandhi.
This leads us to an important question: How can we cultivate a mindset that gives the benefit of the doubt in our thinking—one that fosters growth, a prosperous future, and a higher level of consciousness, ultimately benefiting both ourselves and society, both physically and mentally?
By integrating this mindset into our lives, we cultivate an empathetic, courageous, and righteous character. This, in turn, naturally attracts positivity, leading to fulfillment and contentment.
Brief Explanation of Benefit of Doubt
Giving the benefit of the doubt means choosing to believe that someone or something is good or has good intentions, even when there is uncertainty or a lack of evidence to fully support that belief, idea, or outcome. It involves trusting that someone is honest, truthful, or acting in good faith, unless proven otherwise.
One notable example of Gandhiji giving the benefit of the doubt occurred during the Indian independence movement. When the British government proposed the Rowlatt Act in 1919, which allowed colonial authorities to imprison suspected revolutionaries without trial, Gandhiji initially chose to give the British the benefit of the doubt. He believed that, with enough public pressure and non-violent protest, the British might reconsider the Act.
However, when the Act was passed despite widespread protests, followed by the tragic Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Gandhiji's faith in the British government was shattered. This event marked a turning point in his approach, prompting him to intensify his efforts for India’s independence. Gandhi's response to this injustice was the method of civil disobedience, which involved the peaceful, deliberate breaking of laws that were considered unjust. Gandhi believed that by refusing to comply with British laws and using non-violent protest, he could expose the moral failings of British rule and draw international attention to India's cause.
Through acts like the Salt March and the boycott of British goods, Gandhi encouraged the masses to defy oppressive colonial laws in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. This act of civil disobedience became a defining feature of the Indian independence movement, highlighting the power of non-violent resistance.
Gandhiji’s willingness to initially give the British the benefit of the doubt demonstrates his deep commitment to non-violence and his belief in the power of dialogue and peaceful protest.
Even during one of the toughest times, Gandhiji never abandoned his principle of giving the benefit of the doubt. In 1947, his patience, virtuous deeds, and the power of words and non-violence ultimately led to India gaining independence.
Simply give the benefit of the doubt to any situation that arises, even when it doesn’t seem to be in your favour.
It’s a simple concept, but one of the hardest to practice due to the ego we build over time, shaped by subconscious impressions. Our natural instinct often compels us to react immediately, seeking to turn situations in our favour. Instead of reacting impulsively and either trying to manipulate the situation or burying our heads like ostriches, we should aim to be like plants—taking time to grow, adapt, and be mindful of the long-term effects of our actions. In doing so, we create outcomes that are rooted in patience and awareness.
So, how do we turn this concept into reality?
The Art of Self-Reflection - Looking Internally Within Our Consciousness
The art of self-reflection is widely regarded as a powerful practice for gaining deeper insight into oneself. It enables self-realization by engaging our intellect to discover our purpose, and it opens the door to our superconscious MinD.
Now, take a moment to reflect and ask yourself: How often do I self-reflect on my thoughts?
Have you taken the time to reflect every:
Once a year?
Once a month?
Once a day?
Once an hour?
Once a minute?
Every second?
Or perhaps, for every single thought that arises in your MinD?
It is estimated that a person has between 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts per day. This translates to roughly one thought every 1.2 seconds, or about 50 thoughts per minute. Research from neuroscientists shows that, on average, we make around 35,000 decisions each day. This means that for every thought, we make half a decision. Interestingly, 95% of these decisions stem from the subconscious mind—habits like waking up, showering, brushing your teeth, and eating.
From these thoughts, which lead to decisions, we can consciously develop the character we desire by reflecting on our thoughts before making decisions. By engaging our intellect and consciousness, we gain the ability to consciously shape the person we aspire to be.
Could you change the patterns that have been ingrained in your subconscious MinD over time through consistent self-reflection, especially when it comes to giving the benefit of the doubt to situations?
This may seem difficult, even impractical at first. However, to overcome the negative thoughts that align with lower energy states of consciousness, we must reflect on those thoughts and transform them into positive, empowering energy.
Take the time to examine whether that negative thought is truly fair or accurate. Does it lead to the best possible outcome for the situation, even if it goes against your initial desires? If the thought is harmful and may cause long-term harm to both you and others, can you shift your perspective by putting yourself in their shoes? They may have wronged you, but that doesn’t mean you should mirror their actions.
It’s a hard reality to accept, but it becomes easier when our consciousness is aligned with simply doing what’s right—by metaphorically blindfolding ourselves to the situation, closing our ears to external noise, and setting aside our ego.
Developing Situational Awareness
By consciously engaging our five senses and setting aside the influence of our ego, we begin to develop situational awareness. This process involves utilising intellectual, conscious thought to evaluate situations with a sense of objectivity and empathy. A thought pattern rooted in empathy gradually evolves, enabling a mindset that recognises there are always two sides to every story.
Our thoughts and decisions can grow to embrace broader horizons when we cultivate an open mind—just as vast as the oceans that stretch across the Earth. By reflecting on the past and applying those lessons to the future, we slow down our thoughts, fostering mindfulness. This mindfulness leads to more frequent and decisive actions that align with our core values and inner consciousness.
Simplified by Daniel Kahneman - Thinking slow to take frequent, decisive action.
Embracing Holistic Thought Patterns
As our thought patterns evolve, we begin to view situations as flows of energy. Everything in nature exists as a living form made of energy that has transformed into matter. The thoughts in our minds, when aligned and free-flowing, start to move with less resistance, leading to more impactful, truthful, and rewarding decisions. This is much like a river that changes its course over centuries, naturally taking the path of least resistance. Just as Einstein’s famous equation, E = mc², tells us, without energy, there is no matter—and without matter, there is no energy.
Converting energy into mass requires immense power. However, when the mass is small, the resulting energy conversion is proportionally less. Just as larger bodies require more energy or food to sustain them throughout the day, the same principle applies to our MinD. To break this cycle, we must develop strong determination in our minds, deciding to eat only until we are satisfied. Over time, this habit naturally reduces the amount of energy we need to sustain ourselves and allows us to move more efficiently. The same applies to our mental energy—how we manage and refine our thought patterns directly influences the energy we need to fuel our actions.
Situational awareness involves allowing our energy to flow freely. We can either let it pass through without direction, or we can guide it positively through self-reflection, making small adjustments to negative thoughts. When energy flows from our internal conscious intellect, it becomes easier for our MinD and senses to adapt and accept everyday situations. Roadblocks, however, arise when we allow energy to flow from external stimuli through our senses to our subconscious, feeding our ego and creating resistance.
The MinDvesting Philosophy
In a world driven by quick judgments, giving the benefit of the doubt shines as a beacon of compassion and wisdom. It teaches us that true strength comes from understanding, patience, and the ability to see the best in both others and ourselves.
Gandhi’s life teaches us the power of non-violent resistance. Similarly, in our daily lives, we can practice the same approach by giving the benefit of the doubt to situations that initially seem unfavorable. Though simple in concept, this practice can be challenging, as we often react out of deeply ingrained patterns of thought and emotion.
By shifting from external thinking, rooted in our five senses, to aligning with our inner consciousness and intellect, we can take action by setting aside our ego and the subconscious impressions within our MinD. This approach builds trust, reduces conflict, and fosters positivity. It allows us to become empathetic, patient, optimistic, resilient, and non-judgmental—no matter the situation.
Through this practice, we develop a heightened sense of situational awareness, allowing us to navigate daily challenges with clarity, empathy, and understanding. By consistently practicing the art of giving the benefit of the doubt, and aligning our actions with empathy, we not only enhance our own lives but contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious world for all.