How much do you have "invested" in what you think? ----how about in what you believe?
Contrary to common thinking,”belief” can actually be, more part of the problem, than it is part of the solution.
What is belief?
Mr. Webster defines belief as, “A state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing, a tenet or body of tenets held by a group, or conviction of the truth of some statement or reality of a fact especially when well grounded.”
Everything about this definition leads one to conclude that we “learn” what we believe---whether we pick it up from a book or whether it gets handed down to us from our parents----who got it from their parents, who got it from their parents. While we would like to think that what we believe has some aspect about it that is “cast in stone”---that our beliefs are some description of absolute truth----I really see no hard evidence that this is the case.
So if you can humor me for a moment, and entertain the notion that perhaps what we believe is learned, it is not a very far leap to a point where we can see that perhaps what we have learned might not be accurate----or at least not entirely accurate.
Another problem with beliefs is that they can seem VERY LOGICAL, especially in the light of them being what we are used to as well as being given further support by those that agree with us.
The inherent danger is that our beliefs, sooner or later, are bound to come up against the beliefs of someone else who is just as sure of, just as used to, and just as committed to their set of beliefs.
Is it not our belief systems, and how much we have "invested" in them, that not only prevent us from truly looking at the current financial crisis, but also landed us here to begin with? ("Invested"----when one thinks that life as they know it would end if it turned out that what they think is not the truth.)
What beliefs will each of us have to let go of in order to find a new path?
Entitlement beliefs?
Ethnocentric beliefs?
Political beliefs?
Belief beliefs?
When we suspend belief even for a moment----we provide an opening for change. Sure it is “uncomfortable”----even downright scary. The alternative is what we call war----belief against belief---where my belief is bigger than your belief----and “righter” too.
Is your belief a bully?
Charles Buell
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Click on the Rose to check out: AHA!---A Forum of Landmark Proportions---your Group
PS, for those of you that are new to my blog (or for some other "unexplained" reason have never noticed)all pictures and smiley-face inserts (emoticons) (when I use them) have messages that show up when you point at them with your cursor.
DeCroe, is my "ethereal" home inspector assistant and occasionally flies into my blog and other people's blogs to offer assistance. To find out more about her beginnings just click on Raven.
Great post....that's why we are doing what we are doing in Washington. People feel better.....and didn't think.
Thanks Karen
Well written Charles - The way I see it, and perhaps the way I was taught, my beliefs are mine, unique to me. If someone shares my beliefs, that is of course wonderful. Those that don't, so long as their beliefs are of no threat to me, my family and friends or my property, are respected for what their beliefs are. Our differences make us great. Our differences open dialog to find a middle ground where we are all comfortable. Sometimes we politely agree to disagree. Sure I have argued that my beliefs are THE beliefs on many occasions. Yet at the end of the day, I respect those who may hold other beliefs for their ability to actually believe in something strongly. Of course, I don't like bullies and have limited tolerance for them.
Scott, very well put yourself----thanks for contributing to the dialogue.
Charles - Now this post made me think and I like that. To some extent, I try to look at my beliefs as clay... to be molded as time & experience persists. There are some beliefs I have that I hold dear and are more concrete, but I try to keep an open mind. Besides, one of my favorite quotes of all time is, "If your mind is not open, shut your mouth too."
Wise post, Mr. Charles.
Jason, thanks, clay is good---when it gets "fired" in the kiln of rigidity----not so good:)
Charles: I was just thinking about what I thought I knew. And on several occasions what I thought I knew turned out to be not quite as accurate as what another person knew.
I guess what I believe is the absolute truth, but is also contiually being updated.
Truth 2.0?
Jim, been there myself way too many times. It can be a very dangerous mode to be in----"absolute truth" mode:) I am old enough to have had egg on my face way too often. Eggonface 2.0:)
Did you ever notice, Charles, that the ones with the weirdest "beliefs" are the most vocal and the most dangerous?
I'm not sure how I know what I know, but I believe it to be correct right now. Tomorrow I believe I'll have new beliefs that will be correct right then. The world changes and with that so must we.
Barbara, there are several kinds of weird when it comes to "beliefs." There is the kind of weird that everyone agrees is weird---like actually believing that the world is flat (of which there actually people that do believe the world is flat) to kinds of things that everyone "believes" that has no basis in actual fact (like the sun comes up every day---when in actuality the sun isn't really moving at all). (using "everyone" very loosely here)
Jack perhaps so. What I would like to get people to think about is the possibility that "beliefs" in themselves are unnecessary.
They thought Galileo was weird because he had beliefs that went against the concrete beliefs of the time. It is easy to fall into a non fluid state of belief. Yet we learn new things every day and if we're aware we can adjust and change accordingly.
So true James. But there are people who will die rather than see a different point of view. I think we have to be very careful what we are willing to die for:) Wife and kids----everything after that is "negotiable":)
I could not agree more....on both points.
Mr Charles,
How come all these people are calling you Mr Charles. That is my name for you, so please make them stop. Some people are such lemons.
Nutsy
Nutsy, I do BELIEVE it is an issue that won't be bothering you long---with the barbeque coming and all.
I believe I will have another fly.
Very kindly,
Croakster
Croakster, may there be many more flies in you soup:)
Charles, "beliefs" have been a part of the human experiment since they started scribbling on cave walls. It may be so ingrained in our existence that to even question the possibility of a system of "beliefs" being unneccessary is unfathomable. If we have no beliefs then chaos reins, albeit the chaos is mental. Nothing physical would really change no matter what we thought. The universe is ordered despite our existence.
Okay, do you lay in the grass looking at the stars and think about these things for long periods?
Or maybe I went to a rather larger issue.
Jack, there was a time when thinking the earth was not flat would have been considered unfathonable. The only "beliefs" I have trouble with are the ones considered "untouchable" the ones that are so absolute, so unquestionable that one is left with no choice but to question them and bring them into the light of day. I could also make a good case for chaos being the result of beliefs---not the absence of beliefs. And----I don't spend very much time looking at the stars----but sure enjoy it when I do:)
To me, beliefs are like lives themselves - constantly evolving, maturing and going in different directions when adaptation or improvements are necessary.
Kent, well if one is going to have beliefs that would be an improvement---but there are some that "believe" they are cast in stone.
Charles, It reminded me of a decription that I once heard of theater, which is "a willing suspension of disbelief." I think a willing suspension of beliefs is even more impt. It is particularly impt to real estate agents lest we attempt to push our beliefs of what is the right home for them onto them.
Margaret, yes----our beliefs often obscure what we could otherwise see clearly.