More often than not, our beliefs are skin deep, reactionary, tribal. We affirm or reject labels, giving mere lip service to the complex human realities onto which labels are affixed.
When the metaphors and symbols that create and drive human culture are explored, believing, or not, becomes moot. When the actual world of interdependent relationships rich with meaning, uncertainty, and beauty is but glimpsed, judgments are inconceivable. Silence and wonder replace reactionary beliefs.
Actions born of delight, or recognition are the natural outflow of seeing into reality. Condemnations, belief systems, opinion are "wood, hay, and stubble" in the fire of insight (in-seeing).
Which is why I don't think I'm interested in anything that follows the statement, "I believe (or don't believe)..."
It might be better, by virtue of being more accurate, to open with, "In my opinion..." but its still a bad start. And, by the way, adding "humble" to the phrase doesn't help.
Why, you might rightly ask?
First of all, because it's lazy, automatic talk, and thus lacking in presence and is thus disrespectful, even if accidentally so. (I welcome you to call me on it. I want to be fully present to you and respectful of your time and attention.)
Second, opinion is not interesting, and don't say, "That's you're opinion," because you're not interested in opinion either, except for the opinion that confirms your bias, and we can agree that while confirmations are comforting, they are not interesting.
Thirdly, we don't make progress by mindlessly spouting opinions, or arguing for beliefs. We progress through deep, mindful, humble, respectful exploration.
Lastly, whatever follows from, "I believe..." is prefabricated and tends to have a hidden agenda. I long for non scripted, agenda free conversation.
When the metaphors and symbols that create and drive human culture are explored, believing, or not, becomes moot. When the actual world of interdependent relationships rich with meaning, uncertainty, and beauty is but glimpsed, judgments are inconceivable. Silence and wonder replace reactionary beliefs.
Actions born of delight, or recognition are the natural outflow of seeing into reality. Condemnations, belief systems, opinion are "wood, hay, and stubble" in the fire of insight (in-seeing).
Which is why I don't think I'm interested in anything that follows the statement, "I believe (or don't believe)..."
It might be better, by virtue of being more accurate, to open with, "In my opinion..." but its still a bad start. And, by the way, adding "humble" to the phrase doesn't help.
Why, you might rightly ask?
First of all, because it's lazy, automatic talk, and thus lacking in presence and is thus disrespectful, even if accidentally so. (I welcome you to call me on it. I want to be fully present to you and respectful of your time and attention.)
Second, opinion is not interesting, and don't say, "That's you're opinion," because you're not interested in opinion either, except for the opinion that confirms your bias, and we can agree that while confirmations are comforting, they are not interesting.
Thirdly, we don't make progress by mindlessly spouting opinions, or arguing for beliefs. We progress through deep, mindful, humble, respectful exploration.
Lastly, whatever follows from, "I believe..." is prefabricated and tends to have a hidden agenda. I long for non scripted, agenda free conversation.