Entry 327 - Beliefs Must be Fed

9/30/20

It is interesting because a certain belief or perception that is rooted in society, culture, tradition, religion, or any other form has to be fed and nurtured, or else, naturally, the human will go on without it.

It’s like a British person who comes to America. Maybe a year into their move, they still have a British accent, but if they talk less with other British people, in about five to ten years, it could be completely gone if they don’t feed and nurture it. Or say you have a family tradition to eat coffee cake on the morning of Christmas. That tradition will only continue if you feed and nurture it by doing it every Christmas morning; otherwise, it no longer exists in your life. With form, there is a certain need to feed and nurture it to keep its roots in your life.

Similarly, with religion, if you aren’t constantly being reminded of the doctrine, the message, or the beliefs, then you’ll realize that those doctrines, messages, and beliefs are kind of like accessories, but your experience is like your whole body. The “accessories” can be worn, but they’re not essential to who you are. If you don’t wear your earrings one day, you won’t pass out, but maybe it’ll make you feel some type of way.

They were just like that coffee cake tradition. Yeah, it was fun while it lasted, but it wasn’t essential for existence. You realize, after not nurturing that outside “accessory” in your life, that you’re still a good person. You might even be more aware than before because you get used to thinking for yourself instead of accepting whatever authority told you to believe, and you live life with your truth at the center.

Some might say, “Well, we have to trust the authorities; they know best!” But why do you have to trust their personal experience over yours? I think it’s more blasphemous to lose your identity and wear someone else’s experiences, points of view, and beliefs and adopt them as your own instead of investigating, learning, and creating your own path. What benefit does ignorance have on a soul? If you wish to be a carbon copy of someone else, then yes, continue to believe what they believe without questioning it, and you will get your wish.

To you, maybe your ignorance has become your egoic bliss.

Maybe your ignorance has become your safety, your protector. Because the less you know, the less your beliefs are challenged, and the more you derive your sense of self from that which is outside of you. But if you wish to be YOU — unapologetically, beautifully you — then you will delight in creating and experiencing your own special path to God. Amen to that. You won’t be threatened by those who believe differently or see life differently than you, but instead, see each as an opportunity to learn and grow from each person. Ultimately, you decide that your experience triumphs over all outside experiences that are not yours.

I’m not saying dismiss other people’s experiences; I’m saying don’t let their experience overrule your personal experience. Don’t let society, tradition, culture, or religion bully you into believing a certain way, or else a consequence might follow. If a community of people uses fear, know that is not the way. In the end, you’re the one who decides what outside of you rules you and whether you listen to your heart or not. Do as thou wish; no one else will choose for you.