Suspending judgement

We are judgemental by nature. Someone makes a statement and immediately we want to decide "is it true?" Even agreement is a form of judgement.

When we judge, we introduce a new element into the conversation: our ego. Now we have a position to defend. If someone has a different perspective, they are not debating the issue, they are opposing us personally. 

And defend that position we will. We bend the truth, exaggerate the facts, and insist on seemingly life-long beliefs that were formed only seconds earlier.

Avoiding the rabbit hole of judgement is easy. Just wait. Next time someone says something, keep listening.