The following article about beliefs is just an expression of my thoughts. It is certainly not definitive.
In my opinion, we live our life on the basis of beliefs. We, literally live in a huge belief system. So seamlessly integrated (into our world) are some beliefs that most people assume that they are natural and accepted them without questioning.
The very act of reading this article is belief-based, because the very construct that is formed in your head now is conceptual and of the thinking mind. Perhaps, what really is does not just exist as concepts, but also exists in the NOW as experience. Although one is able to describe or conceptualize a truth, the conceptualization is itself a thought.
Beliefs can be very powerful, especially when the majority of the population buys into it. Sometimes a certain belief when set in motion, causes catalytic reactions, triggering the formation of yet other beliefs. Gradually, layers upon layers of beliefs mire directness and truth. So thickly laden with beliefs and far removed from the original spontaneity that life becomes unnecessarily complex and ritualized.
Major beliefs operating in our world are:
Identification of self with physical body
When in actual fact, we are much more than that. This belief can be very difficult to un-ravel. And it takes many series of self-discovery to realize our true nature. The entire scope of this belief is beyond what can be expressed within this article. So I will leave it at that.
War
War is borne out of beliefs that justify aggression to others that is participated by large groups. War itself is a belief, because nature and animals do not engage in it. Only humans do it, because it was conceived in the human mind, and it isn't natural or essential to human conditions. Military is an offshoot borne from War.
Money buys happiness
A belief that most thought of as true is that money gives one happiness. Happiness does not need money to fulfill, one merely made oneself believe so! The concept of Money set in motion the belief in status, status breeds competition, competition breeds the rat race, rat race causes one to slog a life time working and eventually few remembered the original purpose of life was for joy and fulfillment.
Status
A person's worth that is dictated by factors such as financial abundance and rank. This one creates much suffering in very hierarchical societies. This one is closely related to 'money buys happiness.'
Perfectionism
It is a most prevalent belief in our civilization. Everywhere in this world of ours, perfectionism is regarded as good while imperfection is bad. Everybody wants everybody else to be perfect. Is Perfection really an absolute value? I think not.
In my opinion, it is relative and is borne of human conception. Perfection is an idea. Things are the way they are. Perfection and imperfection are attached values.
Country
The concept of country is just a belief in the ownership of land. Essentially, humans did not create land therefore nobody owns it. Patriotism is an offshoot belief borne from 'country'. When there are no countries and no wars, there is no need for Patriotism.
Well, I think I have rambled enough. Thank you for reading.
"The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don't have." - Woody Allen
The President's Vacation
George and Laura Bush take a vacation to Crawford and decide to go to the grocery store. In the checkout line, Laura recognizes the man working at the register as an old high school boyfriend. After chatting, they leave the store and George says,
"Wow, imagine if you had married him. You'd be married to a grocery store clerk now instead of the President of the United States."
Laura rolls her eyes and says, "No. I'd be married to the President of the United States."
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
I failed, with the first 40 or 50. But I *succeeded* in getting beyond the failure. That's good. I succeeded at three things: one, deciding that I wanted to continue; two, figuring out what I could do better; and three, continuing.
Every failure is an opportunity to try again, a little harder, a little better, with better information and more passion.
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