Cooky
Veteran Member
So you focus primarily on personal improvement rather than finding “beliefs” that guide you to enlightenment.
...Me too.
As for enlightenment, I think that comes with simple appreciation, and contentness with life.
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Do You Cling to Your Beliefs?
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
So you focus primarily on personal improvement rather than finding “beliefs” that guide you to enlightenment.
...Me too.
As for enlightenment, I think that comes with simple appreciation, and contentness with life.
I'm puzzled by the word 'cling'. I am on this particular fairly narrow path up a mountain, that I trust. Actively searching for other paths has led to more confusion than clarity, but if a new belief happens to 'drop in' along the path, I welcome it.
'Cling' for me connotes negative attachment, whereas I see certain types of attachment, like attachment to personal disciplines and dharma not only beneficial, but necessary.
Cooky
Veteran Member
But what is your path like wonder. Probably beyond words I’d imagine. Isn't it?
I fall into habits like anyone, but I try to make a concerted effort to be ready to abandon any belief I hold if I see that it's not well-founded.
It is a combination of external and internal, and the very essence beyond words, yes.
i held on to them by refining them in the alchemical process, whatever remained had to be true.
Malachi 3:2
But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Isaiah 63:3
I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
I wan't to be open-minded and always objective towards the truth whatever it is, but I don't let myself get carried by the wind everyday when some little thing will snap back into place soon.
Ellen Brown
Well-Known Member
I start with one premise, and that is there is an intelligence in the Universe that has goals and is achieving them. I have not met the one who understands them perfectly, and it is not my purpose to correct and criticise the evolving understanding of others. For me, it is plain that our Creator has left "His" (He could be any gender or any combination thereof) mark down through all history.
Man's writings, to include the Jewish books, the Quran, and the Bible all illustrate a limited understanding of the identity of the Creator. Some of the other books seem to be the efforts of the chaotic one to have his say or to obstruct the goals of the Creator. Before the Jews, humans were trying to understand how they got here, as is illustrated by Zoroastrianism, and their Fire Temples. But it started well before them. We can see the evidence inscribed in stone all over the planet.
Perhaps after humans began to walk upright, someone looked up at the Sky, and down to the Earth and to wonder where it all began? Was that the actual dawn of human understanding? Then there is the Creation story. What are we to make of that? Lately it is clear that it is about the limited understanding of primitive humans and that the 'real' story might be something different? Entropy rules, for me, insist that there was an intelligence that Created order from chaos. The belief that He has all these complicated rules and demands that must be obeyed before we can please him may be true, but the rigid and mean spirited interpretation of his desires, proves to me that those who insist on them do not know that Creator.
So, while I seem to be increasingly eschewing the rules of the religions, my fascination, love and adoration for the one who made me has deepened. It seems that as soon as humans start to impose their ideas on what pleases the Creator, we begin to lose our innocent and childlike love of Him.
Man's writings, to include the Jewish books, the Quran, and the Bible all illustrate a limited understanding of the identity of the Creator. Some of the other books seem to be the efforts of the chaotic one to have his say or to obstruct the goals of the Creator. Before the Jews, humans were trying to understand how they got here, as is illustrated by Zoroastrianism, and their Fire Temples. But it started well before them. We can see the evidence inscribed in stone all over the planet.
Perhaps after humans began to walk upright, someone looked up at the Sky, and down to the Earth and to wonder where it all began? Was that the actual dawn of human understanding? Then there is the Creation story. What are we to make of that? Lately it is clear that it is about the limited understanding of primitive humans and that the 'real' story might be something different? Entropy rules, for me, insist that there was an intelligence that Created order from chaos. The belief that He has all these complicated rules and demands that must be obeyed before we can please him may be true, but the rigid and mean spirited interpretation of his desires, proves to me that those who insist on them do not know that Creator.
So, while I seem to be increasingly eschewing the rules of the religions, my fascination, love and adoration for the one who made me has deepened. It seems that as soon as humans start to impose their ideas on what pleases the Creator, we begin to lose our innocent and childlike love of Him.
The beliefs I cling to can be expressed thusly:
- There is something beyond the mundane physical that some label "God"
- Being united with this "something" is possible.
- There are very, very few people who can help.
- Being earnest in pursuing the goal is essential as is honesty and sincerity.
- Witnessing "my" thoughts and feelings is helpful.
- I must act on my deepest understandings otherwise I'm wasting my time.
Not so much as clinging but rather with bulldog tenacity. The result is spiritual advancement.
osgart
Nothing my eye, Something for sure
I default to my beliefs, and i get creative with the hypotheses of my beliefs. I know there is something out there that is intelligent enough to produce all that is.
If ever there was a desire to live forever it would be ideal virtue that inspires it. Knowing i have a soul, i have a heightened conscience as to what is the path of life. My convictions lead me moreso than my beliefs. My beliefs give rise to hope. And that is how i experience that! My beliefs are part of an enigma and give rise to explore the unknown.
If ever there was a desire to live forever it would be ideal virtue that inspires it. Knowing i have a soul, i have a heightened conscience as to what is the path of life. My convictions lead me moreso than my beliefs. My beliefs give rise to hope. And that is how i experience that! My beliefs are part of an enigma and give rise to explore the unknown.
I feel I study all things I can that are supernatural and spiritual and believe what I find most reasonable to believe all things considered. I am always open to modifying and honing my views based on new information and argumentation, so I don't feel I'm clinging.
My beliefs define how to best approach spiritual advancement. With no beliefs I would not feel much purpose I believe.
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I think that beliefs would useless without commitment and responsibilities taken on voluntarily. Beliefs are treacherous, but actions are not treacherous. I don't seek to enter other realities, but I imagine there might be other realities. Maybe somebody there could imagine me at the same time that I imagine them, but that would be about as close as I'd expect anyone to be touching another reality. I define spiritual advancement as becoming a better person. Being a better person is better, and better is better. I believe that, and that belief is firm and necessary yes for my spiritual advancement which is to become a better person who hosts better actions. Belief in God is optional I say, because God is invisible but is not optional for me, because for me it is a moral choice. God exists, so I choose God. There are no proofs, and I don't mind that the 'God proofers' don't like that. I think trying to prove God through argument is a profane, lascivious anti-theist activity dredged up from the sewers of darkest ignorance. Ptooey. Now...on the other hand if somehow someone encounters God by accident that is no sin; but they shouldn't start trying to manipulate others with proofs. They should show that they have encountered God by their actions.
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PureX
Veteran Member
I'm not looking to "improve" myself, really. More to 'self-actualize' (a new-agey' term used some years ago). I want to let go of the BS that isn't me, but that I have taken into my mind as being me, from others, over the years.
I am seeking authenticity, not progress.
Do you consider personal disciplines and/or dharma to be beliefs or a part of beliefs?
If I'm reading this correctly, it would appear that you are saying that belief gives you purpose. How so?
It's more 'what' I believe that gives me purpose.
I need to know what/if the purpose of all this is. I have found spiritual joy.
For example, being atoms moving around for a blink of reality hardly feels satisfying.
Cooky
Veteran Member
That became clearer after a second read. I see now. My mistake.