Beliefs are the foundation of a person. Without beliefs our sense of morality would be meaningless and nonsensical. However, examination of this important aspect of a human’s experience is not often asked of. I will attempt to classify the root of a couple of my own prime beliefs, from self-reliance to the theory of interconnectedness.
After having studied so intensively on the reality of life and universe, I was consumed by this enormous feeling of insignificance in the grand scheme of life, and yet I also had the feeling of such great significance in the unfolding of it! Many live their lives on a set of expectations in order to "succeed": attend school long enough to get a stable job, create a family, drag themselves to work everyday, and somehow feel stuck in rut of expectations. I will not be joining the many on this path of monotony. I believe one cannot put a limit on learning and growing. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I DON'T know! Frankly I am not content with a mediocre set of knowledge.
I am overwhelmed with how earnest I am in acquiring the most out of life, giving back what I take in, and I am unaware of how to do this without continuing my education and in maintaining an open mind. I cannot help but feel enraged when I see people living their lives by others' expectations-- bosses, family, government-- and feeling helpless in the running of their own life. I believe that self-reliance is a goal I need to obtain in order to live a life fulfilled-- continued lifelong learning will get me there.
As far as living a fulfilling life, I believe that people need to work in a collective manner to feel rightful achievement. The Dalai Lama speaks a lot about interconnectedness, and I cannot agree more with his sentiment. I have always been told that I am a compassionate person who has a true love for people: my actions, writing, and persona reflect this. Compassion is what fuels my everyday function and interaction. Too many are careless when it comes to their present responsibility, unaware of how every action has a reaction in a world of interconnection. I believe that when a person looks inside themselves on how to ultimately benefit the outside world, it is then one realizes their true potential. I view accomplishments not merited by money, recognition, or stability but based off the affected benefits of the community.
However, ignorance would ensure selfish ploys and easy plots on how to make it "to the top": how to compete to be the "most successful.” Just as the Dalai Lama explained, Darwinism's "fight of the fittest" only encourages "greed and individualism and to ignore ethical models for relating to our fellow human beings in a more compassionate spirit" (Dalai Lama:115). I believe it is time to work as our cell communities in a cooperation to evolve, rather than in a fight against each other.
Life is enriched with splendors and mysteries that humanity has just began to embark upon. As far as my own splendors and mysteries, I am in the process of sorting through my own beliefs in hopes of discovering them. Bruce Lipton asserts that at one point or another I will have to deal with all of my implicit beliefs. Honestly, I am ready for the unveiling. I believe if more people reflected on their beliefs, in order to effectively understand themselves, we would be far closer to understanding the splendors and mysteries of “all that is.”
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