Cognitive Flexibility

• 436EThe Story of the Frog in the Well

  Implement practices that cultivate an expansive, “bird’s eye view” perspective, and analyze the frog-in-the-well parable to illustrate the limitations of narrow viewpoints, and to remember that a bigger perspective is possible.
• 335EBuddhist Debate

  Analyze diverse perspectives through structured debate, and demonstrate the application of gestures and concepts from the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of debate.
• 313EMadhyamaka

  Analyze Nagarjuna’s concept of dependent arising by examining how phenomena exist only in relationship to other things, then evaluate how attachment to fixed ideas creates suffering in personal situations. Apply the Middle Way perspective to challenging life circumstances, comparing responses based on rigid thinking versus flexible understanding, and synthesize how recognizing the interdependent nature of problems and successes can lead to greater compassion and skillful action.
• 317EThe Two Truths

  Analyze the distinction between relative truth (conventional reality) and ultimate truth (emptiness) in Mahayana Buddhism, evaluate how these two approaches towards understanding our experience apply to specific life situations, and synthesize examples demonstrating how both truths can be simultaneously valid without contradiction.
• 135ESubjectivity

  Analyze how Buddhist teachings on dependent origination explain the subjective nature of perception; evaluate the limitations of individual perspectives by practicing systematic perspective-taking exercises; and synthesize understanding by applying multiple-viewpoint analysis to complex problems while demonstrating awareness of the relative nature of all viewpoints.
• 138EWorking with Miscommunication

  Analyze the role of dependent origination and subjective perception in creating miscommunication and conflict; evaluate various conflict resolution techniques through the lens of Buddhist principles; and implement mediation practices that help others recognize multiple perspectives while fostering mutual understanding and harmony.
• 224ECross-Cultural Dialogue

  Design thoughtful, respectful questions to investigate others’ beliefs and lineage, balancing confidence, tact, and humility, and evaluate how this approach enhances cross-cultural understanding.