BELIEFS – We Hold the Power to Change our Lives
Years ago, I was interested in a Florida-based program called The Avatar Course, from Star’s Edge International. Although I never took a course, I read with vigor each monthly magazine and the books. The ideas resonated with me.
Recently, I picked up Harry Palmer’s 1994 book for the fourth time. This is notable considering that I read books once (twice, at most) and then give them away. Titled, Living Deliberately, I have notes from each time I’ve read the book. This time, I took notes again and Chapter Nine, about belief systems hit the target.
Palmer’s work guides us into a deeper look into our beliefs. He writes about “transparent beliefs.” These are beliefs we hold without realizing they still influence our current actions even though they may no longer serve us. For example, when you were a child, a cat jumped from the counter onto your shoulder. It scared you. You screamed. You grew up hating cats. Yet, if you choose, you can use your adult mind to consider how cats behave and understand why you reacted as you did as a child. You may even choose to discover how loveable cats are (on their own terms, of course).
Palmer offers exercises called Resurfacing to help us explore our inner selves. I learned that it’s up to me to create and discreate my beliefs, which affect how I view the world.
What a POWERFUL statement. After all, what is real? Only what we think is real. What do we think? We think based on what we see. What do we see, or rather, how do we see? We see through the lens of our beliefs.
We could have applied these lessons during this past year’s elections and during the COVID quarantine.
Applying the information in Living Deliberately helps us to regain control over our lives, if we choose to do what makes sense for us now.
Palmer writes about four levels of Beliefs. The fourth level gives us the greatest flexibility over how we experience our surroundings. Each of us has the power to change how we see our world and get rid of the mental clutter. Again, what is real? Each of us will see something different.
It’s hard opening up to other ways of seeing. Yet, it’s doable. With practice, it becomes easier to let go of the beliefs we believe reflect the world when so many different points of view are possible.
We can begin by questioning what we believe. For example, in trying to declutter your material things or your thoughts, ask yourself, “Why am I holding onto these _______?” “Why do I believe that _______ people who voted for _______ are _______?” We may find that there are other reasons for our beliefs, such as things our parents taught us based on their own experiences. It’s likely, their experiences do not apply to our lives, today.
When we honestly look at and let go of our beliefs that don’t serve us any more, we grow empowered.
Discreating these beliefs helps us to feel lighter and move more freely in the world.
