We’ve all heard the saying, “Question everything.” But how many of us actually do it? We often grow up accepting what we’ve been taught—whether it’s about the world, society, or even ourselves—without stopping to ask whether it’s truly real. But here’s the kicker: if we never question what is, we miss the opportunity to discover what could be.
Imagine if Ferdinand Magellan had believed the same thing as everyone else in his time—that the world was flat. If he had accepted that “truth” without question, we wouldn’t have discovered new worlds, connected with distant cultures, or expanded our understanding of the planet. We would have remained stuck, living in fear of falling off the edge of the Earth, missing out on the vast beauty and opportunity that existed just beyond the horizon.
Magellan’s story is more than just history; it’s a powerful metaphor for our own lives. When we stop questioning what we think we know, we miss out on new perspectives, deeper realities, and transformative possibilities. By staying curious and challenging what we’ve been taught—whether it’s about the world, society, or ourselves—we open the door to truths that can expand our lives in ways we never imagined.
Questioning the World Around Us—Because Bias Is Everywhere
Today, questioning what we’ve learned is more critical than ever. We live in an era of constant information overload, where the media on both sides is biased and pushes specific agendas. It’s easy to get trapped in echo chambers, where algorithms feed us content that aligns with our existing beliefs and keeps us in our comfort zones. Over time, we start to feel like our version of the truth is the only version of the truth, simply because that’s all we’re hearing.
Take a moment to think about your own media consumption. How often do you seek out different perspectives, even ones that challenge your own? If you’re like most people, probably not very often. We’re fed information that reinforces what we already believe, and that’s a dangerous place to be.
When we live in these echo chambers, we lose sight of the bigger picture. We become divided, polarized, and unable to see the humanity in those who think differently. Worse, we stop learning and growing. Just like if Magellan had accepted the flat-earth theory, we become stuck, living in a narrow reality that doesn’t allow us to explore the full richness of life.
The Importance of Discernment: Trust Yourself, Not the Noise
This is why discernment is more important than ever. In a world full of biased media, divisive opinions, and constant noise, your ability to separate fact from fiction is crucial. Discernment is about questioning what’s in front of you and trusting your inner guidance rather than just accepting what’s being told to you.
But discernment doesn’t come from blindly rejecting everything or embracing cynicism. It comes from cultivating a healthy curiosity about the world and yourself. Ask questions like:
- Why do I believe this?
- Who benefits from me believing this?
- Is this belief really serving me, or is it keeping me limited?
When you take the time to question not only the information you’re receiving but also your own long-held beliefs, you create space for a deeper, more authentic understanding of the world.
What Happens When We Stop Questioning?
If we stop questioning, we become stagnant—mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Just like the people of Magellan’s time, we risk staying trapped in outdated narratives that limit our potential. Imagine a world where we all accepted the idea that the Earth was flat. Think of the cultures, connections, and knowledge that would have remained hidden, undiscovered, and unexplored.
The same is true in our personal lives. If we stop questioning what we’ve been taught about ourselves—whether it’s from society, family, or even past experiences—we remain stuck in old patterns that prevent us from growing. Questioning allows us to break free from those limitations and explore new possibilities, both in how we see the world and how we see ourselves.
Furthermore, I truly believe that questioning everything is essential for deeper awakening. Many of the “truths” we cling to—whether societal, cultural, or personal—are rooted in fear and division. We’re told to pick sides, to label ourselves and others, and to defend those labels fiercely.
But when we begin to question these narratives, we start to uncover a more profound reality. As Eckhart Tolle explains in A New Earth, much of the world we see is constructed by the ego, which thrives on separation and conflict. The deeper truth, however, is that we are all connected. When we challenge the surface-level beliefs we’ve inherited, we tap into a more expansive understanding of life—one that’s grounded in unity, love, and shared humanity.
By questioning what divides us, we start to see the world through a lens of compassion and understanding. We realize that the walls we’ve built between ourselves and others are often illusions. And when we break through those illusions, we can live with greater peace and awareness.
How to Begin Questioning Everything
So, how do you start questioning everything? It doesn’t mean you have to reject every belief you hold or distrust every piece of information. It’s about fostering a mindset of curiosity and discernment.
- Start with “Why?” When you encounter a belief—whether it’s something you see on the news, something you’ve been taught, or even something you’ve told yourself—ask why. Why do I believe this? Why does this feel true to me?
- Seek out different perspectives. It’s easy to get stuck in an echo chamber. Challenge yourself to read or listen to viewpoints that oppose your own. You don’t have to agree, but you should be open to understanding.
- Tune in to your inner voice. The world is noisy, but your inner voice is quiet. Spend time in meditation, reflection, or simply sitting in silence to connect with your intuition. Often, your gut will tell you what resonates with your truth and what doesn’t.
- Embrace uncertainty. Questioning everything means embracing the fact that you won’t always have the answers, and that’s okay. Like Magellan, you don’t have to know what’s beyond the horizon—you just have to be willing to explore it.
Curiosity is the key to growth, learning, and uncovering deeper truths. When we stop questioning, we stop growing. But when we embrace a mindset of curiosity and discernment, we open ourselves up to new worlds of possibility—just like Magellan did when he set sail into the unknown.
In a world full of media biases, echo chambers, and rigid beliefs, questioning what we know is more important than ever. We must see beyond the limitations of our current understanding and tap into a greater truth that connects us all. By asking the hard questions, you may just discover that the world is far bigger, more beautiful, and more interconnected than you ever thought possible.
So, keep questioning. The deeper truths are waiting for you to uncover them.