Understanding is having clear insight into ideas and feelings.  It is thoughtfully seeking to comprehend the full truth and being mindful of what is most important.  It is having compassion and empathy for others.  I am not sure where this old saying originated, but it is a great one to reflect on when necessary:    “You can’t really UNDERSTAND another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” 

The Practice of Understanding:

1.   Reflect on the meaning of ideas.

2.  Have empathy for others.

3.  Be mindful of meaning.

4.  Be a discerning listener.

5.   Be compassionate.

6.  Forgive mistakes.

7.  Value knowledge and  perceptiveness.

“If one is master of one thing and understands

one thing well, one has at the same time,

insight into and understanding of many things.”

~Vincent Van Gogh