Hearing beyond my beliefs

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Swami Chinmayananda. There is a talk of his on Karma Yoga and goals that I really like.

I grew up in Pakistan with certain views about India and Hindus. Reading the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita was such a delight. I feel it made me a better person overall.

Sometimes we have been trained to look at a person in a particular way. We see their appearance, their religion or where they come from. We never get past those layers to hear the message.

I think that is such a disservice. Teachers can have great things to say. Our assumptions can stop us from hearing them.

Can I put my inherited beliefs aside for a moment and listen to what is being said? That is a question I want to keep asking myself.