Beliefs might be one way we try to make sense out of our experiences. I think they’re also passed onto us by others. And I agree fully that accepting beliefs as just that (and not as ultimate Truth) is one step towards more peace in this world.

@Lisis Love the Wilde quote! And let’s NOT get started on the great potato debate!

It reminded me, actually, of the movie Religulous, in which Bill Maher points out all sorts of beliefs that we have held fast to since the Bronze era. For instance, there was a figure carved in the hillside ages ago, and no one knows who made it or what it meant, but they still maintain it to this day. Why?

Also, I thought of the Oscar Wilde quote: “A thing is not necessarily true
because a man dies for it.”

I’m going to have to agree with your wife on the potato-cutting argument.

I think we react differently to doubts regarding what we believe vs. what we’ve actually experienced. Beliefs are vulnerable, whereas personal experiences typically aren’t.

When someone disagrees or disbelieves something that we ourselves have no question about (because of our personal experience), we tend not to get angry.

If, for example, I were to claim that no one is interested in what Ian Peatey writes on his blog, you’re likely to see this as my personal problem or opinion. Either Michael’s perception is flawed or he’s experiencing something different from me. Clearly, there are lots of people who are interested in Quantum Learning, and the numbers keep growing daily.

However if I made a similar claim before you started blogging, it may have been received differently. If you had any doubts about your blogging ability or your appeal to potential readers, then you might have felt threatened by my opinion. Maybe Michael’s right, and no one will be interested in my blog. What does that mean about me?

I think it’s that last question “what does that mean about me?” that really gets us worked up. Now, it’s not just about what we believe, it’s about how we see ourselves.

Ultimately, I think that stating our beliefs as “beliefs” rather then facts, and admitting that we could be wrong both go a long way towards avoiding violence.

@Jay Thanks for sharing that story. I was torn between choosing that one or the railroad one so I’m happy to see it appearing in the comments. There’s another one about monkeys and bananas I’m keeping up my sleeve for a later post on this topic.

@Alison I’ll give some thought to a version for 3 year olds. I like the idea! Am thinking I could do with one for my 6 year old too!

@David Great point about investing our identity in our beliefs. Not really thought about it in that way, but it rings true. I’ve come to see that believing that there is such a ting as ‘absolute knowledge’ or ‘being right’ is limiting and dangerous. After all, 1,000 years people ‘knew’ the Earth is flat and is at the centre of the universe.

@Tom Welcome, and I love the quote! Yes we are prisoners of our beliefs to the extent they prevent us exploring further. The amazing thing about the human race is that each of us has a unique frame for looking at the world. No one set of beliefs is the ‘right’ one. Except mine of course

@Sherri Happy to hear you found your way. It comes through very clearly in your blog, which is one of the many reasons I enjoy your articles.

@Daphne Ah, now don’t get me started on toothpaste!!!! Of course, there’s a right way to squeeze the tube! How can anyone doubt it?

@Roger Thanks for bringing the positive side of strong beliefs into the discussion. I agree that they give us some sense of security and stability in an uncertain world. I guess the trick is to know when they are taking us into conflict with others (which is clearly not beneficial fro our security).

@Nadia I wonder also if it’s a question of degree. It can be very disturbing to have your belief system challenged – I went through a big transformation in 2001 which started with my core belief system collapsing under my feet. It just wasn’t able to account for several things I was experiencing at the time. I found my own inner peace after letting go of those beliefs that weren’t serving me any more.

@Chris Great point. There’s far more life essence available when we connect with people here and now than in discussing what we know. Pretty much all we know comes from the past and has only a remnant of the original life it had then.

In my experience, many people are attached to their beliefs because that is how they define life and their world. Anyhing that contradicts that causes them to doubt themselves. It is as if their sense of reality is shaken. Then there are those who are open to new things and new thoughts. I often think the difference in reaction correlates to the level of inner peace within the person.

My theory is that we defend ingrained habits to create a sense of permanency in our lives. Of course, it never works very well.

This is an awesome post and Stumbled. I read it really quickly because I was so curious to know about the ruts. I actually read this before long ago and forgot. The way you interweaved it with your personal and honest story made it so powerful. Isn’t it funny the way we must have things done our way? I remember quarrelling over the way toothpaste tubes are squeezed. I squeezed from the bottom up, the Ex squeezed from the middle, pushing the toothpaste towards the bottom of the tube – I thought that was so dumb and therefore my way had to be better!