My understanding of the 5th agreement is that is is very much in line with not assuming. And I really like the 'learn to listen' part. I take it to mean to think for one's self.
It's more about critically thinking and truly listening to others rather than assuming what others tell us (and what we tell ourselves) is indisputably 'fact' or 'true' and not influenced by our own life experiences, agendas, filters, emotions, etc..
This site explains it better than I can.
I can see what you are saying about skepticism 'assuming' that things are not what they appear to be.....but the other side of that coin, as I see it, is 'assuming' that they
are what they appear to be. In order to really not assume, one must question both sides wouldn't they? And we can't forget that last bit-- but learn to listen. By really listening, we can critically (skeptically?) decide if what another is saying is 'true' for us.
"don't believe me, don't believe yourself, and don't believe anyone else"-- Ruiz
Thank you for posting this, Snowshine. I somehow missed it before.
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