I think, in order to experience a new(or even an old one)experience, situation, place, teaching, it is good to approach it as a child. And by approaching it as a child, I mean, you drop your preconceived notions, your ego, and any other baggage you have and just be.
When my son(who is a toddler) sees a new animal, his brain doesn't start up with all the background noise of judgement, such as "it's scratching. I bet it has fleas." or "The last dog I saw bit me. This dog will, too". He just chalks it up, in his mind as "Whoa! Huge ball of fluff, coming at me! Friendly! Soft!" etc. He makes his judgments for that moment, in that moment.
It's hard for a person to really drop their inhibitions and be like that child, though. I think, with spiritual teachings, this is said, because when something new is being shown to us, we often half listen. Our brain starts gearing up with things to say, either to negate it, or to agree with it. This just seems to be human nature. The more we can drop this, the less stressful it is for us. It's terribly troublesome to be in a perpetual defensive position. This can also apply to non spiritual things as well, such as when we get hard preferences or a distaste for something.
Of course, if you find the teaching to be toxic, you can discard it. When a toddler finds he does not like green beans, he tosses them on the floor. But, when you serve them again two weeks later, he has forgotten his judgement, and is open to the experience all over again. Will he throw them from his high chair again? There's a good chance he will, but at the end of the day, it's unlikely he'll go to bed dwelling on those beans.