Seeing What We Want to See

A frequent feature of beliefs is that when examining evidence relevant to a given belief, people are inclined to see what they expect to see and conclude what they expect to conclude. We only become critical of information when it is clearly not consistent with our beliefs, and even then may not give up that belief. Moreover, confirmatory information or events are much better remembered and recalled than those that contradict what we hold to be true.
~ from Six Impossible Things Before Breakfast: The Evolutionary Origins of Belief by Lewis Wolpert ~

The above quote dovetails nicely with many of the passages of the Wen Tzu and Tao Te Ching. It helps to explain why Lao Tzu seemed incessantly to harp on the idea that we need to encounter life without bias and prejudice -- simply to go with the flow.

When we encounter situations with a belief-driven ego, we can never see things as clearly as possible. Because of our beliefs, we will inflate certain bits of evidence, while downgrading others. We may even see things that aren't really there, while completely ignoring variables that stare us in the face.

Remember from the Tao Te Ching the metaphor of a bowl? The utility of a bowl comes from the space not occupied. If a bowl is filled to the brim, no more can be added. In this same vein, if our mind is filled with beliefs, new information can't be added and so we will continue to cling to ideas about our lives and the world around us that may not stand up to muster.