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Confirmation Bias: The Silent Barrier to Spiritual Growth

By Desmond Yeoh SC

We all like to believe that we seek truth. That our beliefs—especially spiritual ones—are grounded in wisdom, depth, and genuine understanding. But there’s a subtle, invisible force that can keep us locked in place, reinforcing what we already believe while closing the door to growth: confirmation bias.

Confirmation bias is our tendency to favor information that confirms what we already believe while dismissing anything that challenges it. It’s a mental shortcut that keeps us in comfortable territory—where our assumptions remain unchallenged, and where we feel secure in the knowledge that we are “right.” But while this may feel reassuring, it can also block real learning and growth.

Faith should be dynamic, evolving, expanding—but when confirmation bias takes hold, it can turn into an echo chamber. Instead of exploring new ideas, questioning deeply, or embracing mystery, we might find ourselves clinging to familiar narratives—never daring to step beyond them. We avoid asking tough questions because they might shake our certainty. We reject perspectives that challenge us, fearing that change might mean we were “wrong” all along. Instead of refining our beliefs, we entrench ourselves further in them, convinced we have all the answers. But truth is not afraid of honest inquiry.

As Buddha wisely said, “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” True wisdom comes not from blind acceptance but from deep, personal understanding.

What if, instead of protecting our existing beliefs, we made discovery our priority? What if we allowed curiosity—not fear—to guide our spiritual journey? Growth comes from embracing the unknown, from wrestling with difficult questions, and from challenging assumptions—not just reaffirming them.

If we truly seek wisdom, we must be willing to question our own perspectives. To consider opposing viewpoints. To recognize that faith and knowledge aren’t about arriving at a fixed destination but about continuously evolving, learning, and deepening our understanding.

Sri Ramakrishna reminds us: “God has given man the freedom to think and reason. It is through reasoning that one can reach Him.” Thoughtful inquiry and introspection are essential for true spiritual progress.

The next time you encounter an idea that challenges your spiritual beliefs, pause before rejecting it outright. Ask yourself: Am I dismissing this because it’s truly flawed, or because it makes me uncomfortable? Could there be wisdom here that I haven’t considered? Am I open to learning—or just reinforcing what I already think?

Let’s commit to a faith that is alive—a faith that grows, questions, and expands. Let’s choose openness over certainty. Let’s be seekers, not just believers.