The Cycle of Understanding

Understanding is the ability of the mind to grasp the meaning of an idea, etc. There are two types of understanding: literal understanding and in-depth understanding. It is a process that can be illustrated in the cycle below, which can be divided into three phases:

Phase 1: It begins as a literal/ surface/ simplistic understanding, where the meaning of an idea, etc is understood literally, eg. a statement or an instruction.It is similar to a child viewing a photograph of the ocean. He simply understands that it is the ocean that he is perceiving. He also understands that it is beautiful and serene when told by his mother.

In short, it is simple because the meaning of an idea, etc. is understood literally.

Phase 2: It proceeds into complication where the idea is challenged and scrutinized in order to achieve in-depth understanding. As the child grows up, he starts to question why the ocean is being perceived as beautiful and serene by his mother when smaller fishes are being preys to the bigger ones. He finds that nothing is beautiful and serene as living things are attacking and consuming each other up every single moment.

In short, it is complicated as the existing idea is causing confusion with the mind's expectations.

Phase 3: In-depth/ thorough understanding occurs once the conflict between the existing idea and the mind's expectations are resolved. It could be that the child finally understands the laws of nature through the study of ecosystem that clears his doubts on the hellish life in the ocean, or inspired with awe by the designated structures that enable the aquatic lives to survive in the water, thus he can mutually agree with his mother, or he could have another set of opinions about the ocean but is able to see through or understand her perspective. Other than that, it is also attained by gaining insight or from personal experiences.

In short, it returns to the simple state of understanding as all the conflicts are resolved.