The Most Important Skill
August 30th, 2008 by Jarrod in Making Change
What is the most important skill to have in life, the most important ability to develop?
Is it the ability to think and analyse?
Is it the ability to gauge our progress?
Is it the ability to observe our thoughts and emotions?
Is it the ability to just be?
Is it the ability to question if this is all life is?
Is the most important skill different when we are at different stages of understanding?
Is there a time when no skill is necessary?
I don’t have an answer to these, in fact I probably benefit the most from not being able to conceive an answer.
But what do you think? What is the most important skill for you?
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September 1st, 2008 at 2:49 pm
I’m not sure if it is a skill or not - to just Be. But I would think this is the most important if not one of the most. If we can just Be, we do not attach value judgements. We are able to think more clearly. We are ourselves at the very core. We live in the present moment.
September 1st, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Good analysis and thinking is one of the most important “features”. But the ability to stop - to meditate and just be is also very important - just like yin and yang.
September 2nd, 2008 at 2:20 am
I like the idea of yin and yang. Although I think of it more in terms of perception and action, but it is all the same.
Now I’m thinking there are skills that are more important depending at what stage you are at.
First is the ability to recognise the spark that questions how the world is, then there is the required courage to explore that question.
Once exploration begins we have to be able to analyse and think through things.
Then I believe perception (’just being’ and meditation) are more important, but analysis still important.
That is where my thinking is heading.
Thanks guys.
September 22nd, 2008 at 3:04 am
I think the one universal skill is being present or as you said “be”, because it centers us in ourselves, it is really the level of consciousness.
Other skills that are useful from time to time, prioritized for me:
1. Self-Reflection
2. Communication Skills (especiall in people environments)
3. Goal-Orientation
4. Empathy
5. and something I would describe as “Flow: Letting energy flow without resistance”
September 22nd, 2008 at 11:40 am
In my experience, the most valuable skill by far is letting go.
The path of non-resistance, surrender, and allowing in order to be who you truly are. It’s letting go of thoughts and beliefs, letting go of limitations and fears, letting go of identification with thought. Spiritual growth seems to be a product of letting go as much as possible, to the point where there’s nothing left but your true nature.
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
In my experience it depends on where are you currently on your path during personal development what you find to be the most important skill.
I think it is difficult to find a single most important skill. Maybe a set of most important skills will do it for those who are searching for some type of “crash course”
.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
Thanks a lot for these comments, very useful.
I’ve been thinking a bit I still think that different skills are more important at different times.
That said, being able to ‘be’ is absolutely fundamental and practically a prerequisite to being able to let go.
I like the ‘crash course’ idea martin
September 24th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Right at the moment there is another skill more important than everything else: Stay relaxed.
Because I am lying at home with hurting back because of muscle cramps. So times are also important.