Curiosity dies as we become conditioned and as our identities develop. Very quickly we are taught to “stay close to mummy,” “don’t talk to strangers,” “don’t stray too far,” and other words and phrases that make us feel safe when we keep to ourselves. Then, as we begin to focus on protecting the “I,” nourishing the “I,” promoting and popularizing the “I,” and eventually exploring the “I,” we become more entrenched in everything and anything to do with ourselves.

Curiosity is a jump from focusing on ourselves to focusing on something “without” ourselves. In the process, our minds open significantly as we realize that we aren’t the center of the universe (as we once unconsciously thought).

Curiosity can extend to other people; to asking their opinions, exploring their life stories and tastes; different places and cultures; different species; different experiences, such as eating strange types of food, traveling, reading a book you would never read; different spiritual perspectives, and so forth.