Learning How to See
- John Scoble
- Oct 2, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 26
How do we transform and transcend our biases?
From unconscious judgments to complacency in systemic evil, we must learn how to see if we are to learn how to transform. Brian McLaren guides listeners to discover how seeing is social, political, and contemplative.
Learning How to See: Beyond Bias, Worldview & Spiritual Awakening
When was the last time you questioned not what you believe, but how you see? Not your doctrines, but your lenses? In the podcast Learning How to See, Brian McLaren invites us to go deeper than words: to examine what shapes our vision, our biases, our cultural stories, our unspoken assumptions.
Seeing is not neutral. It is political. It is social. It is spiritual.
The Hidden Filters That Shape Us
We all carry filters. Sometimes we borrow them from our parents, sometimes from culture, or religion. Filters that tell us who is worthy, what is true, what is normal. For many of us, these invisible lenses shape our judgments, our compassion, and even what we consider sacred or profane.
McLaren suggests that to see truly, to awaken spiritually, we must recognize those hidden filters. Bias is not just “out there,” it lives inside us. Sometimes in fear, sometimes in comfort, sometimes in silence.
From Consolation to Conviction
The podcast reminds us that seeing clearly often requires discomfort. Maybe we have settled for a view of God, others or ourselves that comforts more than it challenges. Spiritual awakening often pulls us beyond consolation into conviction. Not in a harsh or judgmental sense, but in a voice that says: “There is more, and you are invited.”
McLaren does not promise easy clarity. But he does suggest there is a kind of spiritual courage in saying “Yes” to seeing more of what is real, even the parts we would prefer to ignore.
Seeing Is Social, Political & Contemplative
McLaren’s insight is not just that seeing is individual, it is that seeing is woven into society. The way our schools teach, our media report, our churches preach, all these contribute to what we see. And what we do not see.
He also pulls in the contemplative: silence, prayer, attentiveness to nature or scripture. These are not passive escapes. They are practices that tune our vision. They help us see what is otherwise smudged or overlooked.
The Invitation to Transform
Here is what learning how to see might look like for you:
Pause and name one bias, one way you might be blind in your worldview.
Find one encounter, one story or person, who challenges that blind spot. Listen. Let them shift you.
Try a contemplative practice: a silent walk, a reading of scripture without rushing, or sitting with nature and paying attention to what it reveals.
Let your view of justice, love, even your prayer, expand. Let seeing lead to doing.
Why It Matters
If we never examine how we see, we risk repeating harm. Bias stays unchallenged. Systems of injustice stay hidden. Our spiritual life becomes safe but small.
But when we learn how to see, really see, we begin to encounter God in unexpected places: in marginalized voices, in broken systems, in natural beauty, in silent suffering. That is where growth, humility, compassion, and change happen.
A Question to Sit With
What is one thing you do not want to see, but maybe need to?
Because sometimes, what we resist seeing is exactly what calls us into deeper love, richer compassion, and truer sight.
FAQs for Learning How to See: Beyond Bias, Worldview & Spiritual Awakening
Why is “learning how to see” important for spiritual growth?
Learning how to see is about becoming aware of the hidden filters that shape our worldview. If we don’t examine our biases, we risk mistaking habit for truth. Research in cognitive psychology shows that 95% of our thinking happens unconsciously (Harvard University), which means we’re often driven by filters we don’t notice. Spiritual growth begins when we slow down, notice those patterns, and allow God to stretch our vision beyond comfort zones.
How do biases affect faith and community?
Biases influence who we listen to, who we trust, and even how we interpret scripture. Left unchecked, they can reinforce divisions rather than build unity. A Pew Research study found that 64% of people believe religion has “a great deal” of influence on morality in their society. Yet if our seeing is clouded, that influence can lean toward exclusion instead of compassion. Faith communities thrive when they cultivate awareness of bias and choose love as the clearer lens.
What practices can help me “see more clearly” in daily life?
Two time-tested practices stand out:
Contemplative prayer and silence, which slow the inner noise so we can hear God’s whispers.
Attentiveness to creation, which scientists say reduces stress and increases empathy by up to 40% when people spend time in nature (American Psychological Association).
Both practices gently train the eyes of the heart to notice what is usually overlooked.
Is “learning how to see” just about personal spirituality, or does it have social impact?
It has both. Seeing differently is deeply personal, but it is never private. When you recognize bias, you begin to challenge unjust systems, listen to marginalized voices, and shift how you act in the world. Think of it as a ripple effect. Studies in organizational psychology show that leaders who address bias improve trust and collaboration by 57% (McKinsey, 2021). That same principle holds true for spiritual communities.
How can I start uncovering my own blind spots?
Begin with curiosity instead of defensiveness. Ask: “Whose stories have I ignored? Where do I resist being challenged?” Journaling helps, as does listening to voices outside your tradition or culture. It is not about guilt, but about growing wider eyes and a softer heart. As Brian McLaren reminds us, learning how to see is not about throwing away faith, but about deepening it through honesty, humility, and love.
At St Lucia Spirituality we believe the journey is richer when it’s shared. If you’re seeking a place to explore questions, practice mindfulness, or simply belong to an inclusive spiritual community, we invite you to join us. From online discussion groups and meditation gatherings to our growing library of resources, there’s space here for every seeker. Step into the conversation, connect with others, and discover how community can nurture your spiritual growth.
About Brian D. McLaren
Former evangelical pastor Brian D. McLaren is a champion for a more loving, inclusive and contemplative Christianity. A faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation, he teaches ways to reconnect with the message Jesus lived and died for - unconditional love. He is the author of Faith After Doubt, The Great Spiritual Migration, and host of CAC’s podcast Learning How to See.
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