posted July 03, 2012 07:08 PM            

8. Beliefs are nothing to be proud of.

Believing something is not an accomplishment. I grew up thinking that beliefs are something to be proud of, but they’re really nothing but opinions one refuses to reconsider. Beliefs are easy. The stronger your beliefs are, the less open you are to growth and wisdom, because “strength of belief” is only the intensity with which you resist questioning yourself. As soon as you are proud of a belief, as soon as you think it adds something to who you are, then you’ve made it a part of your ego. Listen to any “die-hard” conservative or liberal talk about their deepest beliefs and you are listening to somebody who will never hear what you say on any matter that matters to them — unless you believe the same. It is gratifying to speak forcefully, it is gratifying to be agreed with, and this high is what the die-hards are chasing. Wherever there is a belief, there is a closed door. Take on the beliefs that stand up to your most honest, humble scrutiny, and never be afraid to lose them. www.globalone.tv/profiles/blogs/the-9-epiphanies-that-shifted-/

posted July 03, 2012 07:29 PM            

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posted July 03, 2012 07:34 PM            

It reminds me of similar words of wisdom from different yogis I learned from for many years.

posted July 03, 2012 08:08 PM            

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posted July 03, 2012 11:11 PM            

quote:

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The word “belief” is a difficult thing for me. I don’t believe. I must have a reason for a certain hypothesis. Either I know a thing, and then I know it – I don’t need to believe it. -Carl Jung

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posted July 03, 2012 11:16 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Faith:
[QUOTE]The word “belief” is a difficult thing for me. I don’t believe. I must have a reason for a certain hypothesis. Either I know a thing, and then I know it – I don’t need to believe it. -Carl Jung

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Brilliant. Jung is such an independent thinker!

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posted July 05, 2012 10:03 PM            

It only becomes a problem if you become "extreme", stubborn or dogmatic with those beliefs right or wrong.

And you become extreme to the point you use force to back your views or try to convert everyone with your views.

On the flip side someone with no beliefs won't go anywhere in life and lack the proper structure or reason to keep on living there life journey, if I can put it that way.

True story, I previous worked for an employer that had a son stealing from the business his mother was managing.

The mother didn't own the business but she was the manager.

I had to reflect in my beliefs and was proud that I have ethical values.

I know I shouldn't be judgmental because that is up to god to decide, but the mother didn't teach the son any morals.

Clearly the son lacks proper beliefs.

posted July 05, 2012 10:30 PM            

Generally, the belief system we are taught as a child or from the environment we grew up holds firm followed by other belief systems we encounter later in are lives.

posted July 05, 2012 10:38 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by AcousticGod:
The point is to remain open to possibilities in thinking that don't necessarily jive with your beliefs.

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If you remain too open, you have no core. Hence, you can be led by others.

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posted July 06, 2012 12:30 PM            

Just some background context, she's writing about a Hispanic community on the Mexican/American border who are legally American citizens but aren't really accepted by American or Mexican culture, and face stigmas and discrimination on both sides. Her concept of "the New Mestiza" is talking about how she's learned to deal with these literal and metaphorical borders, and life in general...

"Why does she have to go and try to make 'sense' of it all? Every time she makes 'sense' of something, she has to 'cross over' kicking a hole out of the old boundaries of the self and slipping under or over, dragging the old skin along, stumbling over it. It hampers her movement in the new territory, dragging the ghost of the past with her. It is her reluctance to cross over, to make a hole in the fence and walk across, to cross the river, to take that flying leap into the dark, that drives her to escape, that forces into the fecund cave of her imagination where she will never be let go. It is only when she is on the other side and the shell cracks open and the lid from her eyes lifts that she sees things in a different perspective. It is only then that she makes the connections, formulates the insights."

And another caption.....

"These numerous possibilities leave la mastiza floundering in uncharted seas. In perceiving conflicting information and points of view, she is subjected to a swamping of her psychological borders. She has discovered that she can't hold concepts or ideas in rigid boundaries. The borders and walls that are supposed to keep the undesirable ideas out are entrenched habits and patterns of behavior; these habits and patterns are the enemy within. Rigidity means death. Only by remaining flexible is she able to stretch the psyche horizontally and vertically. La mestiza constantly has to shift out of habitual formations; from convergent thinking, analytical reasoning that tends to use rationality to move toward a single goal (a Western mode), to divergent thinking, characterized by movement away from set patterns and goals toward a more whole perspective, one that includes rather than excludes. The new mestiza copes by developing a tolerance for contradictions, a tolerance for ambiguity."

posted July 06, 2012 05:52 PM            

What's interesting, to me, is how one deals with his/her beliefs, and how a person approaches beliefs, as well as how a person expresses them. That interests me just as much as what a person believes. Goals and motivations are also important to consider. Two people can believe the same thing, but can experience them and deal with them very differently, resulting in very different outcomes. I think that how a person conducts himself/herself regarding his/her beliefs is worth consideration, and not just whether or not a person has beliefs at all.

posted July 07, 2012 01:41 PM            

If you remain too open, you have no core. Hence, you can be led by others. - ami anne

without the willingness to understand other's points of view one overlooks the very humanity of the others. most people have good "intentions" ie they think that their way is best for everyone. only those who can see that are able to find what IS best for everyone.

so, if your BELIEF is that only you know what is good for everyone, you will trample over their rights to decide for themselves - but only every time. if your BELIEF allows you to see that others' BELIEFS are just as important to them, than you have a basis for resolution of everyone's needs.

posted July 09, 2012 10:10 AM            

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posted July 09, 2012 07:06 PM            

Preceding a statement with the word "Wisdom" doesn't necessarily make what follows wise. True wisdom does not require labelling.

posted July 09, 2012 07:07 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by David Bowie Eyes:
"Beliefs are nothing to be proud of".

The above statement is a belief masquerading as a blanket fact. The basis for knowing something begins in belief. If you beleive you can't do something then that belief will turn into the surety that you can't. If you believe that you can, it may not be a surety that you can, yet, it's the first requirement to accomplish success.
Beliefs are connected to how they are used and the wisdom behind them.
The article that dismisses them without considering the basis for and the degree of a belief is as flawed as the purported imperfection of holding a belief, and the kicker is the author's premise is but his own belief. I'm calling bunk on this one.
Steve

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Welcome to GU Steve
You seem on the right side of this issue

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posted July 10, 2012 04:15 PM            

Such are things in the realms of spirit.

Wisdom is or is not. That is elementary.
It is man's purpose not to merely stand at the gates of the realms of Wisdom, but to pass through them. Any tongue can say the word, but very few will swallow.