Life is all lessons…ignorance is not a destiny…
Have you ever questioned the absoluteness of the things you held as truths? Did you care to verify the veracity of the principles from which you base your decisions? Are there circumstances in your life wherein you become confused because the very truth you dearly hold has abandoned you?
Human beings are very stubborn when it comes to their beliefs. Once we take something as truth, it’s hard for us to turn against it. I myself have observed this fact about my nature. When certain situation beckons my judgment I immediately rely on my beliefs to measure the truthfulness of a given fact. Never did I go further on verifying the validity of the means I employ to arrive at such judgment. I put so much faith on my belief that I dismiss any other measures of verification. Until I came to a certain point when things didn’t go the way I expect, thereby prompting me to throw the big question: WHY?
I have witnessed many people lost their way because of the betrayal they’ve experienced with their beliefs. They have limited their horizon to what they think is true despite all evidence to the contrary. Instead of taking into consideration a new revelation they prefer to be stubborn—bigotry and arrogance are their ways of denial. Despite the misery suffered by many for their adherence they are unwilling to let go of their false belief and blame someone/something for their unfavorable circumstances. I see this crack in the different forms of social systems like religion, tradition and norms. What I find interesting in these collective thinking is that any show of defiance would make one an outcast. Shame and disgrace serves as admonishments for those who dare to dissent from such collective beliefs, irrespective of the validity of their arguments.
What purpose does it serve to go with an established belief system when it leads one to peril? One important fact I have learned in life is that nothing is absolute. Change continuously alters the state of all things. If I readily satisfy myself with beliefs I’ve inherited from authorities, how can I assure myself of its validity? More often than not I will repeat the errors of my influencers. In the generation we are living today, the sins of the fathers are being repeated by their children and the conflicts of the past are still the conflicts of the present. How can we make a change if we don’t start to question the errors of our own beliefs?
Understandably fear, confusion and alienation threaten us from questioning the validity of the values we hold. We fear that we may jeopardize our sense of belonging or identity; we fear that others may reject us if we challenge an established belief; or much worse is the fear of being treated as an outcast. I’m sure no one wants to be labeled as crackpot or lunatic—interestingly though successful people of both past and present have once been labeled as such especially the inventors and entrepreneurs—so some prefer to be compliant with the common thinking than to be vilified for their unconventional perspective.
If every issue can be resolved by just being subservient to our venerated beliefs then why are we experiencing conflicts? Why must there be difficult decisions wherein we have to surrender the voice of our reason in order to comply with the generally accepted notions of right and wrong? Why must we blindly condemn someone or something just for being “different?” Everywhere we can see the injustices being upheld to individuals who are perceived as a disgrace by those so called “righteous” people. Is it the common norm of human to judge certain misunderstood differences of its own kind? Has anyone realized that there’s nothing to gain from being self-righteous?
Why are we allowing our beliefs to inhibit us from seeing the real picture?
Now I ask you to open your mind—even for this brief moment—and examine the very foundation of your beliefs. Think of how your life would be if you have been more skeptical of the beliefs you follow. What could have happened had you rejected certain principles and follow your gut instinct? Imagine how your life would be now had you pursued your idea despite the disapproval of many. Think about the wrong choices you’ve made just because of your false beliefs. Consider the suffering you have endured by your blind subservience to certain norms. Ask what good does your beliefs have done unto you. If your want to liberate yourself, if you want to broaden your understanding, if you want to know the truth, then make an inner query about you and your beliefs.
Humans have lauded the fact that we are the only creation with the exclusive gift of free will, but are we really exercising such gift? We are meant to explore the many possibilities of our existence. Why must we confine ourselves within the realm of our limited beliefs? Is this how we really want to live our temporary life?
“Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.”
— Buddha
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Hey Walter,
You could say that a big part of what I do professionally is helping people question their beliefs so they can access new ways of feeling and behaving.
So, I’m right with you in believing this is one of the most important steps in personal development.
And it still amazes me how many blind spots we all have.
That’s excellent Eduard. Most people are not aware of their blindness and it needs a nudge to let them realize the erroneous beliefs that have been following.
great post walter…like you said if you come to question your beliefs..you will see that beliefs belong to society..they where all given to you..beliefs are just band aids..they help you think you know something of which you don’t really know..they are comforting..you don’t know about god so therefore you will believe in Christianity(any religion)…you don’t need beliefs what you need is trust…trust can never be given to you by society…trust is a personal intimate experience…your own understanding..its an arduous journey…with trust comes things like learning to become aware of your emotions and feelings like your gut instinct…trust helps you go into the unknown…
I agree with you here Ivan. Enlightenment and understanding is a personal experience we must allow ourselves in order to elevate us to a higher plane of knowing. Being subservient without questioning will make us stagnant.
Walter, there are two types of people: the type that stay stuck within who they are and the type that are always looking to better themselves.
The first type think they are always right in their ways, they never think of improving… which can make life really hard.
I want to fit into the second type and am constantly striving for it.
.-= Moon Hussain´s last blog ..The Final Push: Social Bookmarking =-.
I was once in the first type as you have mentioned here. But then I realize that it has done me no benefit as try to fit with the reality of life. I realize that I must constantly seek to improve myself in order to elevate my understanding.
When I was a child I didn’t know that beliefs even could be questioned. I simply thought that whatever my parents or institutions taught me was truth. Later, when I learned there are many ways of looking at the same thing, it was frightening for me. I didn’t know who I was because my identity was so tied into those beliefs. Eventually, the process freed me, but it was tough going for a while there!
.-= Jean Sarauer´s last blog ..6 Things That Get Easier About Blogging if You Just Keep Going =-.
It is the nature of children to follow the beliefs instilled to them by their parents as a mechanism for survival. But once we have minds of our own, we must learn to filter what we believe.
Hey Walter, man your posts are always so in-depth! Good job with this. The reason we have the beliefs that we have today are because we grow up conditioning this in our mind without even knowing so.
For example, recently I realized that I had OCD, but I never question my irrational actions for many, many years. I just thought they were a part of me and a part of my beliefs. When I started to try and take new actions, my old OCD beliefs would say “no”. It’s a little complicated to explain.
But I agree that in order to change your course of life, you have to question the beliefs that you have right now and be open to the possibilities of new ones. Thanks for another great post Walter!
.-= Hulbert Lee´s last blog ..Greg Blencoe – Hydrogen Car Specialist, Law of Attraction Coach, and Blogger of Positive Waves Baby (Interview) =-.
Thank you Hulbert. Let it be remembered that we are vested with the powerful gift of choice. This means that despite our tendency to abide with the laws of nature we are capable of resisting and making our own choice. This is the power we have that we must apply always in order to expand our understanding of life.
Hey Walter,
Nice post on beliefs. Many times our beliefs limit us from doing what we really want to. We always have to question our limiting beliefs. Thanks for this
.-= Dia´s last blog ..How knowlegeable are you? =-.
Beliefs are just set of rules created by fallible human. Ours in the power to distinguish the truth from the lies.
Great post again here Walter. I agree to change the course of your life you need to question your beliefs.
Here is a quote I deeply agree with: Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be.
George Sheehan
You can change your life if you want to you just have to have the courage. There are so many people that never doubt their beliefs and then complain about their lives and how bad it is. You truly need to challenge your beliefs, that also means to be open for new point of views on life.
That’s a beautiful quote you have contributed here Julius. Each of us has the capacity to make a difference in our lives, we just need to realize that we hold this special gift.
Walter,
Great points on how we can so easily let our beliefs limit us. I know I have, and the honest answer is that I am sure it will happen again. That said, I do hope that I am getting better at being more open to possibilities…and to seeing that my beliefs can just be a circumstance of me – and not always “the” answer.
Great stuff to really let soak in…
.-= Lance´s last blog ..Sunday Thought For The Day =-.
The benefit will always be ours if we keep our minds open about the things we see and hear. Like what I’ve said nothing is absolute; what may hold true for now may not be tomorrow. It’s better to always empty our cups.
Hi Walter,
This is an excellent point you make here. Many people seem to develop beliefs and then hold on to them for dear life.
I thought something similar a while back and now I question everything, possibly to the point of fault.
Of course, you do have to take care to not be obnoxious about it (that likely would upset the people around you).
Thank you for your thoughts Walter. Have a great day!
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Thanks Mark. Questioning our beliefs should only take place on the confines of our minds. Some people are very vocal about it that they fail to respect the person of others.
Hi Walter
Very interesting and thought provking stuff. I think many amble through life never questioning their attitude or belief system.
Fortunatly for all there are some that do question Einstein Ghandi Aristotle etc etc
I think it is always important to at least try and see things from the others point of view, one good way is to try and listen more and say less
Those great people you have mentioned have become aware that they can affect the course of their life as well as the lives of others by liberating themselves from their blind subservience to their beliefs. Look at how great they’ve become.
Hi Walter! Great post! I guess for some people, they are afraid to rock the boat within their family. As a child, I’ve always questioned everything even my own religion. Somehow, I felt the need to explore and discover what I should believe in and what I shouldn’t. As much as I wanted my family to change, and I did try to give suggestions—it only created more chaos in the atmosphere; them trying to convince me to go back. But I choose to be where I am, I am now at this point of my life where I question everything especially my own belief system. Thanks for sharing this article.
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We have to accept the fact that some people are stubborn with their beliefs. Perhaps time will have its way to prove to these people the error of their beliefs. Nothing can be gained by being stagnant, it’s better to verify the belief that we’ve been brought into. It’s for our own good.
Walter recently posted..What is essential is invisible to the eye. Are you aware of them?
You’re absolutely right.
So many people hold on to beliefs that hold them back. Sometimes we don’t realize it sometimes we do but if you get attached to beliefs that aren’t helping you be happy or reach your dreams, time to change. Really great post.
Peace,
Darren L Carter
Darren L Carter recently posted..Experiments in Lifestyle Design: Internet Business from Rural Japan
Thanks Darren. I believe that fear is one of the factor why some people cling to their beliefs. They have somehow incorporated their identity unto their beliefs and departing from its invites the fear of alienation.
Walter recently posted..What is essential is invisible to the eye. Are you aware of them?
Walter,
This is refreshing article. I have changed a few beliefs in my life so I know thing or two about it.
Once upon a time, I was very workaholic and ambitious (to climb career ladder), I never thought I would be simply happy being home with 2 kids
Specially when they are well.
Have you changed your belief too?
It has been while since I have been here, and your blog has blossomed! Congratulations!
Hey thanks. I think that our experiences in life may be our trigger in questioning our beliefs, that is if we are wise and open minded. Part of our growth is to evolve from our beliefs when needed.
It’s nice to see you here again.
Hi Walter,
It is an amazingly freeing feeling to learn that we can choose our beliefs. The World Voice offers ideas and beliefs that have us doubting ourselves. It is not the environment into which we are born, but rather the beliefs that we accept as true that has the greatest impact on us. It our inexorable right to break free of those limiting ideas the World Voice offers.
rob white recently posted..All Forms of Life are Levels of One Consciousness
Nice to hear about the World Voice Rob. It is important that we learn to liberate ourselves from false beliefs that we inherited. This will lead us to a new form of understanding that will be beneficial as we go on through life.
Walter recently posted..What is essential is invisible to the eye. Are you aware of them?
Hi Walter,
What a great, thought provoking post.
I am very stubborn in my beliefs and I know I should not be.
I am trying to be more open, can just be quite hard at times.
Your post has made me realise I must try harder, Sally
Sally recently posted..David Walker, Sally’s First Skype Interview…
Challenging our beliefs in not an easy task. But for the sake of our well-being we must take the uncomfortable challenge. After all, our fate lies on what we chose to believe.
Walter recently posted..What is essential is invisible to the eye. Are you aware of them?
Walter,
Very thought-provoking post about beliefs. You have spoken such true words. It is time to delve into our pre-conceived notions and think fro ourselves. At one time, mankind thought the world was flat. Hmmmm
I enjoyed reading your views on this topic. Time to stand in your power of using your own heart and soul to decide how to proceed.
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Val
Thank you for the compliment Val. It is my belief that nothing is absolute in this world. Therefore we have to continue evolving by verifying the beliefs we hold.
Walter recently posted..What is essential is invisible to the eye. Are you aware of them?
Walter: Great post. I 100% agree. I think we do have to always make certain we are questioning our beliefs and making certain that they are based in sound reasoning and truths. It is all about finding and living according to your truth, but you have to make certain it is actually your truth and not someone you have just bought into.
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Discovering the truth is a personal process. We need not take heed of our tendency to follow blindly what we’ve heard. All it takes is awareness and open-mindedness to grasp the truth from the lie.
Walter recently posted..What is essential is invisible to the eye. Are you aware of them?
“They have limited their horizon to what they think is true despite all evidence to the contrary.”
I think that we just have to have an open mind and admit that not all the time our beliefs are correct or applicable. People change so do the environment around us. There may be situations that may prove our beliefs wrong but we just have to accept the fact there are other things that lies ahead of us that we haven’t discovered yet.
Katie Smith
My Blog:iContact Coupons
In my case, my belief is always challenged or should I say I always challenged my beliefs…I always thought I’m born optimist, but at the same time very skeptic in nature…I question a lot of things before I accept them because I always have a thing for learning…always curious on anything and when I didn’t find answers to what I’m looking, I search, search and search, to know, understand and believe.
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We are all human being and we have the freewill to think, talk or even do the things we want to do. I never believe or listen to somebody ‘coz I have my own opinion, and I always want to see the proof first.
Anne Kramer
Author of Learn How to Blow Glasses