Living What You Believe

How do you live what you believe?  I mean, in the millions of moments that you are part of in a single day, how do you live what you believe? 

I have had many conversations with people whom I would consider grounded, enlightened, connected…. they all struggle with this….every single one of them…I feel better each time…actually, more connected. I struggle too.

How often do you follow through on the intention of each moment from thought to deed and live what you believe?

I am curious…..respond or reflect if this speaks to you.

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This is a really good question. I suppose if it’s really ground into one’s nature, it doesn’t really take any thought.  A question that bothered me for a long time was, “can people change?”.  I suppose those two questions are interrelated; most of the time it takes consciousness to act a certain way contrary to what one might call “human instinct”, or selfishness, etc.

How does one live what he or she believes? I suppose it varies from person to person.  I personally try to work on it one small step at a time by reminding myself over and over throughout the day of one specific thing, sort of like a mantra.  I don’t think it’s really reasonable to expect someone to immediately live according to recently formed morals/beliefs–any sort of change takes time.  But once a change has taken place, I would think it should become second nature.

However, to err is human–no one can be perfectly true to what they say all the time.

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I follow living what I believe 100% of the time Bonnie. Living is truth and truth in living is a constant change. Whether or not my truth is an acceptable truth of those that stare analyze or judge from without, may be an entirely different matter. I believe if one lets the opinions of others, form one’s opinions or doings, that may be, or may not be a truth for one’s personal path. As the smiling Buddha teaches all his devout chelas- - - Take not what I say for Truth, apply it, - - - learn from it, see if Truth is present?- - - (for you or maybe not so ) Actual Truth changes with the Way, the Weather, the Terrain, the Leadership, and Discipline. I may choose to go down the mountain one way which I would completely rule out as too dangerous if 3 people were in my footsteps behind me. Sound familiar to anyone . The Art of War by Sun Tzu. If one follows one’s heart, and that Heart is the heart of the One, you will never be wrong!

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Wow … so much in that question … thank you !!!

We are much more than what we believe … though our beliefs produce a relative reality that constantly arrives to inform us of where it is we need to grow, expand, lighten, balance, and may in fact, keep us from living those very same beliefs.

I think awareness plays a big part in this, so we can state that those operating belief structures that one is conscious about may find expression to the fullest capacity one is able.  Those belief structures that one is not conscious about, operate at levels which may not be as obvious, and they may be limiting the fullest expression, in conflict, divided, etc.

I think the answer might be we are most certainly living what we believe at all levels, conscious, unconscious, sub-conscious and super-conscious.  We are fully appearing with all we have learned, been taught, absorbed, were exposed to, and re-learned and re-chose.  Nothing is missing.  The package is complete.  It might be time to change the ribbon, find some new wrapping paper, but no questioning the vehicle.  It’s divinely and most graciously loving and forgiving and humbly serving.  

The next question might be, if the above answer is true, what belief structures are operating within that keep one from feeling, thinking doing more of what one believes one ought to be doing more of.   I move towards that, by choice.   It’s easy to know what it is not.   Not so easy to know what it is, though, perhaps the choice there is to allow the mystery to unfold what really lies beyond our beliefs about what is … or is not …

A most wonderful dance … to be or not to be …  Be Live …

Keep on keeping on.

Blessings

Scott

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I wonder if there is another doorway through this… Previous to now….some three decades ago…I was certain, deep inside I was certain that there had to be less complicated, more loving ways to interract with others then my family and me were experiencing, but I did not have the models or experience…. to step into the next world I vaguely imagined might exist.

So I wondered then, can I change? Can people change. But I could not change without the tools to change, but I knew this - I knew in my bones that somewhere there were people who were kind. How did I know that, and where did I get the guts to go after it? I do not know.

When I finally and seriously set out to find my peace on earth, like poppies in the fields in spring, I found teachers everywhere outside and within. Including all of you here at Zaadz - the learning never stops. For sometime now, I’ve lived my truth with a fullness of heart and though it changes as I continue to grow and change I am centered and safe in knowing in the moment my truth.

I’ll tell a quick story. Fifteen years ago I was a nanny for a beautiful family in a town where my daughter also lived. This was also the time in which I had been ordained a lay Buddhist (practicing not a monk/reverend). One morning as I was feeding one of the toddlers the phone rang and it is my daughter. I said my hello and she immediately was harsh with me telling me I would never get to heaven if I continued with the Buddhist practices and beliefs.

I tell you, as a mother my heart was in my throat for a full Eternal second. And in the next second, the next breath, I kindly said thank you dear, for your opinion, but I will be continuing with my Buddhist practice because this has made more sense to me than anything I have ever done in my life.
That was my truth absolutely in that moment. I may have lost a daughter but I gained my truth, my life.

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I think we live what we believe on many levels. I may have an intention to be and do good. Most of the time I hope I succeed! But other beliefs - unknown to me but deep set in my soul from previous experiences may sometimes override and cloud my intention.  So a deep-set belief that I am not good enough,  that  “I can’t”, that you cant be trusted, whatever, may rise to the surface at times and compete with my desire to be “good”.

So the people you mention who are “grounded” or “enlightened” but who struggle with being what they believe are just demonstrating their “humanness”.  The important thing is to be aware of those default modes that we fall into so that we can aknowledge them and put them back in our past (where they belong) as we strive to be the best that we can be…

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it is in those moments of individual choice that i find my self growing. some different choices terach me in different ways, but I learn from them all, and try an apply those lessons to the the moment.

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I agree with Scott/SacredLabor that “awareness” is key.  My guess is that our group is blessed (cursed?!) with the ability to think globally - to always be aware of the big picture and concerned with the long term.

Your example, Arpana, of your conversation with your daughter is heartbreaking - yet understandable and inspriring.  If you are aware of your truth, it becomes almost impossible to live a compromised life.

Carey

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I think we all struggle with this problem. I was fortunate to get a hold on a book from Mariana Caplan, title Halfway up the mountain ~The error of premature claims to Enlightenment. Well I don’t claim this title is justified concerning the raised issue, but I still feel I need to point out this book. Sometimes the energy of everything I am doing overwhelms me. I have to back being grounded solidly, and find my balance again. If you have loving people around they will point out to you when something is wrong. Honest criticism from myself or love ones doesn’t hurt. It’s loving and helps me to find balance on my way to enlightenment (which is the purpose), I know I still have a long way to the summit and the book from Caplan learned me that being on the summit is not the end. I will need to be on the summit and the valley and the summit and the valley on and on just as long it is necessary, to get all on board! We are in this together!

Nice post hope my reply helps


Much Love


  L
LLL
  L

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If I may contribute by posting  a piece of a blog entree from 28/2;

Wasted Times

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I am sorry this last post does not belong here but in another post (1 minute of doing nothing)

Could we please also delete our own entrees (Zaadz tech?)

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You inspired a post out of me. What are you doing to live what you beleive? I am going to post it right now. It will be fun and inspiring to hear.

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Wow….after starting this post last night and arising this morning to these great exchanges, I am feeling gratefulness for all those who are living what they believe in some form.  Jessica’s point about “consciousness”, SacredLabor & Indigogo mention “awareness” and thanks Sir David for “truth in living is constant change.”  I’m liking the idea of “living what we believe at all levels…..” SacredLabor, and of course, understand the “humanness” of us all as Dancer mentioned.  Nihmx mentions applying “lessons to the moment” and when I am fully conscious, I feel myself growing from moment to moment.  My challenge is in the more “human” moments when, as some of you mentioned, the “unconscious” stuff arises, and there’s just not time to put it away or sift through it - in the very “stuff” of life…kids, work, close encounters of the human kind…I guess my learnings have lead me to deal with these moments sometimes after the fact….I am thankful to be connected with my creativity in those times and continue to be a Seeker of Soulfulness in all things, people and places.  Thanks for the great input!

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I live what I believe daily…it may not be 100 % all of the time due to not being able to direct anothers action…;-) I was litterally MEANT to be a mother…and healer…and spnge to take in others pain….to give you a little moer insight;

I had to go thru several miscarriages and the pain this induces physically and of course emotionally to understand that I was meant to adopt….if I had not gone thru the painful process of ilimination…my three children would have not had the opportunity to be together although all from the same womb…it was thru my loss…that there gain was possible…

I continue to try to speak out for adoption….I feel that so many people go on about there marry ways…while there are millions of children that do not have a “home” right here within this country…I can obviously go on and on about  this very issue…but my point is this…I do believe that we are all at some point of excistance living what we believe…and the ones that ignore this are the ones that are being systimatically driven into courses that will ultimately still bring them to where they were suppose to be…

It is said that the Great Spirit gave us his “will” but also left us the freedom of our own….

Just as with teaching a child…most children do not willingly want to take “our” advise…yet most times when making the “wrong” choices they realise that it was truth we spoke as parents…

Anyhow…Peace, Blessings and Light to all of you!

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Wow Bonnie……….thanks for this question.

I layed awake the other night……..thinking a very similar thing.  I even cried just a lil.

I was thinking about all the wonderful things that are going on here at Zaadz and was thinking about all the wonderful people I am coming into contact with.  The people I am coming into contact with ……..seem to not just be “talking” about  a lot of cool stuff………..but actually “doing” alot of cool stuff as well.

I look at myself here at Zaadz and look at my life here at home and don’t know as I see an identical person.  My home is in despair……I can’t keep my son off drugs and out of trouble and my other son is failing school.  My oldest son whom which is living with his father is slowly deteorating from being on the honor roll and having a great sports career ……….to skipping school and skipping baseball practice.  Of course my friends and family say around me that they are “teenagers” and their actions are out of my control. 

Many people tell me here that I am inspiring……………this doesn’t seem to be passing along to my children.  I don’t feel like a great mom.  Doesn’t “changing the world” start with me?  And then next to my own home.  How can I change the world when my own home is suffering?

I know I am battling “manifestations” of unhealthy living and beliefs from my past and currently experiencing the “ripple effect” of that.  This “ripple effect” right now however is causing me to be slightly disheartened……….as I “feel” like a fraud. 

My new journey and enlightenment is in “seed” and I have to wait for this to manifest.

Heidi

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Hello Heidi…

I have found to be in light one has to also accept that there are shadows…I understand what you were saying in your response all to well…my personal experience regarding some of my choices ( for lack of a better term ) also at times have me questioning my effect on my children…I can not openly share all that has happend to our excistance just over these past 20 month…but will say that much like a birth…it get’s hardest…and is most painful and also darkest just before breaking into the light…per se.

Conciously the drama of birth has been taken away from the human memory as it is…none of us can truly remember what we felt when we were born…the experience would cause to much drama to the psyche…
Now with this being said…it is but natural to experience confusion and the feel of loss in a sense when one begins the emergence into yet another dimension of excistance …aka jet another BIRTH….but now being capable of realising, feeling and experienceing it…

I chose to homeschool my kids in 2001…I do not believe in the structure as it has been set by the Goverments to drill our children into “orbit”…with my dicision I now sit with children that are non-bias…well spoken….humble….kind…and still innocent in many ways….

I feel that I would very much like to see Zaadz…encourage…a different shape of life overall…that spills forth into all aspects of life as it stands…it pains me that many have to leave their children to pretty much raise themselfs because financially one can just simply not stay home…per say…
There is so much wrong with the Global system and granted it has been structured by our own hands…BUT…with this one has to also know that what one build…one can tear down and start new…

This is what I feel Zaadz will bring to the planet along side with millions of other souls…and obviously other methods carrying the human community back to the gentle ways of excistance of harmony and respect for life in all its grandure.

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WOW and OMG this entire conversation is going into my files. The intimacy and loving friendship we have here is so high and nurturing I wish we could put it, or something like it in a ZAADZ Family Blog all by itself and keep it going.

Peggy/Arpana

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Peace, Blessings and Light Peggy!!! ;-)

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Heidi - I can relate.  On the one hand, having Parkinson’s Disease has been truly liberating for me because I have been able to merge my entire life into one existence - I live and breathe this stuff 24/7.  I had to sacrifice my health, though, to be able to try to live a fully integrated life.

On the other hand - there still is the “real” world to deal with - including my teenage daughter.  I am so proud of her - her sense of responsibility and reliability; her sense of humor and developing intellect.  But does she like living with a mom who is so different than the other moms?  The one who divorced her father, lost her job, and is living on disability?  Not much!  She is restless, condescending, and angry at times - ready to leave home and the small town where she has spent her whole life and is known by everyone.  Only one more year!

We struggle to keep our equalibrium - and I always wonder if her rebellion is due to the fact she is a teenager - and this is how teens behave - or is it because I have become so different?  (Always the guilt ridden mom!)

I get by with persuading myself to believe that we would be miserable if I used my energy to be “normal” rather than happy; that we tell each other everyday that we love each other (I’m fairly certain she is secure in that knowledge), that someday she will appreciate me; and that if not - there’s always therapy!

keep the faith,
Carey

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Heidi…I am reading through all of these incredible parts of this conversation and I feel my spirit shifting with each entry…ebb and flow….a few entries down aka hot sauce mentions how actions show what you truly believe….continue the life you are called to now and your boys will be witness…..they are watching  and will take everything in….I say this from my experience of living more into what I believe as my eldest turned almost 12….I watched him fail in school, begin to drink, seeming to be heading nowhere…only now at 19, I am blessed to witness how he is choosing a path that is true to what he believes and who he is….. It’s awe-inspiring and humbling….Peace….Patience….Love…

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In my life, as an instructor of Spiritual concept, Living What You Believe has become a conversation about negative space/available space as much as a conversation as to how I fill up my mind with beliefs. I hold only the beliefs of my heart to be true.Beliefs in my heart do not have the distracting sound rythmns of neurosis. Heart truth holds a tone of calmness that doesn’t disturb the well being of my system( much like a loveable ‘drone tone’) . TRUTH is the ‘nothing of everything’ spoken of by saints ,sages,rosemarys, and jasmines ( and Meher Baba).Next time you hold a belief, let go of it’s hand and see if it returns to you ;  If it does it was meant to be. If it doesn’t, blow it into the wind and send this belief on its’ way for the less enlightened to carry up the mountain. Don’t Worry. There are  plenty more beliefs where that one came from.

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Ha.. EVERYONE *lives* what they believe.  Not everyone says truthfully what they believe. ;)  If you want to really know what one believes, do not listen to what they say (i never do), see what they do and how they act.

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Gotta love the New Jersey bluntness…;-)yeah I said it…lol

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Haha, you know it.  Actually when I first met Brian, I did not believe he was from California, i wondered if he was from NJ because he was so straight forward lol.

 I just have slightly different views on how to change the world.  First, i replace “the” with “my”.  I believe our true value on earth is how much joy we feel.  We are as successful as the joy that we feel.  I believe that is what we’re doing here, we are channeling love/joy/appreciation down to earth.

We’re bringing heaven down to earth.

There is no way to make another feel joy.  We can be joyful, we can live to our highest potential (as we say here at zaadz), and everyone is free to interpret what that means to them.  It is a very personal thing.

That is where I see my strength as an ambassador.  In allowing others to live what makes them joyful, and encouraging others to really do what brings them joy.  I do not believe we are servants here to serve anyone.  I think service is beautiful, but i see people trying to justify their existence by “serving”, when what i see is a world full of people whos existence is perfectly justified just by existing! :)

I understand that there are many things on the earth that are displeasing.  War, famine, etc etc.  But I also see that those things are a crazy small percentage of life on earth, and for the most part things are getting better.  The forest are growing back, the quality of life is improving world wide, the air is getting cleaner in many places, the earth is healing, and has been, and will always, no matter what we do to it.  Balance will always be restored.  There is no other way.

Now, again, here is where my personal perspective may differ from some of you guys.  And I offer it to add to the contrast to help stimulate your thinking. (as I appreciate you stimulating mine!)  Why would we want to get rid of those things that are not pleasing to us?  We are of course the kings of our own personal universe.  Would you go to a chinese buffet, and tell the manager you have to get rid of the lo mein, the orange chicken, and the won ton soup because you did not like them?  Even tho there are others who may benefit from them, or enjoy eating them?  Just because it is in the buffet, doesn’t mean we need to take part in it.  We can choose to focus on what we want, and appreciate it and love it as much as possible.  And that alone to me, makes the most sense– logically, and in my gut.

I don’t need a world that does not have war. I need a life of peace and tranquility.  I do not see the chicken as a threat to my sushi. ;)

Now if you will excuse me, I need to go get lunch. 

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I struggle to eliminate as many beliefs as possible due to the fact that most of them are total bull-hockey. I used to be so attached to what I believed and that my beliefs were always “right”.  I discovered in my life that righteousness is a somewhat risky path.

As I got older  I began to observe that  my beliefs were constantly changing. What I believed as a rebellious youth I no longer believed as an adult. I used to believe I was my hair, my car, my clothes. Not.

When I committed to my own personal search for Truth (with a capital T) I soon realised that I had to put aside most of what I believed. I had to suspend my belief that I knew anything at all. Truth is, I don’t.  My righteousness (beliefs) kept me from knowing, experiencing and being Truth.

I believed the worls was a dangerous place.
I believed my parents didn’t love me.
I believed the Russians were going to bomb us any minute.
I believed relationships suck.
I believed that I was a victim and that the whole frikkin’ world was doing it to me.

Not so I discovered.

The original post: “Living What You Believe” is interesting, for the mind and it’s constant noise needs to believe it’s beliefs are what’s important. Getting hung up on our beliefs takes us out of the present moment.

How would your life change if you were to believe nothing at all??? Nada, zip, zilch. Try it for an hour, a day even. What would happen?


“Principles are substitutes for an independent outlook”
                                                                                                   … Fritz Perlz, 1946

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Nice post.

The way i see beliefs are thoughts that we think over and over again.  There is no doubt thoughts create things.  And quantum physics is begining to explain that process (and spiritual teachers have for ages).

I see thoughts and beliefs as tools for creation.  You will absolutely get what you think about.

I like what you said about your thoughts/beliefs in reguard to your hair, car, relationships, etc.  If you want to change your experience about any one of those things, simply change your ideas about them.

I love how Neale Donald Walsch puts it, “You are not your car.  You are not your job.  You are not your hair. You are not your body..” etc.. =)

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one question…
If one does not belief in anything…how does one explaine in being then???

I feel it is the principles that we live by that predict what we go thru moment to moment…and there is something to be said for this too…If one were to let’s say not belief ( work with me here ) in ohhh for example needing fluids to survive…would one??? survive without fluids….we know the answer…a excistance without belief is what exactly?

Wven the greates of great in regards of spirituality “belief”…mostly, oddly enough in us!

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Haha i love the line about believing in fluids. 

I’ve heard of stranger things, so i guess anything is possible, but I choose to believe that I will always have sufficient clean and pure fluids for my body. :)

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Actually Dave, it was Neale who taught me I was not my hair back in a seminar many years ago just after CWG 1 was published. He has been my favourite teacher since then. I howled when he spoke about being his hair as I had identified so much with mine. Now as I approach my 1/2 century my hair is still 99.5% intact, I believe that must mean something!!!! Maybe not. Pass the Brylcreem.

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So I suppose it is safe to say that we “do” believe…;-) Bruce
your hair is great…;-) You guys are the best i am having a blast just reading and getting brainfood…what a gift you guys are…

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Just to stir the pot ……

I was reading a bit about Kabbalah - a main tenent of which is that knowing is superior to believing:  “The whole idea of belief bears a residue of doubt. Knowing, on the other hand, leaves no trace of skepticism.”  (www.kabbalah.com)

Consequently, everything must be tested and confirmed - belief alone is not enough.

I’m not sure I could live with that amount of skepticism.  But I am intrigued by Kabbalah meditation practice.

Dave -  I love that you wrote: “when what i see is a world full of people whos existence is perfectly justified just by existing!”  This is a tremendously difficult concept to put into practice - but I believe (know?!) that everything in life becomes joyful if you can dwell peacefully in your own existence.  One of the hardest things I’ve had to come to terms with is that I am responsible for my own happiness - and that I must work at it  - it is not simply granted or magically bestowed (the Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness)

Cheers!
Carey

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Yes Carey, that’s a good distinction for sure….

Belief= Subject to change

Knowledge= Unchangeable

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Holy cow!!!!!

I absolutely LOVE reading all of these incredible ideas!!! My mind is spinning right now trying to process everything! I have been searching my whole life for deep, beautiful, human, conversations and interactions and here I am!!!! My soul craves these insights and food for thought words..Thank you all!!! Gosh, I want to comment on what everyone said but I it would be too long so let me start with this…..Peggy, many blessings for standing up for your truth even though it caused pain w/ your daughter!! To the one who had miscarriages,thank you for adopting and raising beautiful children!! To the one who’s daughter doesn’t undersatnd her because she may be different…Peace to you and your courage for being and shining your light!! To the one who’s 3 son’s are having trouble…Light and love surround you and you are in their life to teach compassion among other things,it will get better!!! To the one who speaks of not having to have an excuse and that it’s beautiful to just exist..THANK YOU!! I always felt like I had to have a ” reason” to just breathe…To the one who speaks of just being with no thoughts, thank you!!! And to the one who was “attached” to his hair,car, things,etc..thank you for your honesty!!! Thank you all for this incredible discussion!!!!!

MANY BLESSINGS to everyone..My heart is full of love and peace in this very moment..

Ariel:)

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Great appreciation for you all.  Thanks for being you.  Loving this stuff. lol

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I cannot get enough of our authentic presence here, and I am full to the tip-tip with all of these beautiful thoughts and revelations. Empty and full all at once:):):)

I also have longed, for soooo long, for authentic conversations, and lo here we are:):)

Our ZAADZ Village is growing lotus blossoms one-by-one.

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Yes Everyone is it not just simply amazing how one can come here and just read about another humans thoughts and feelings and then wind up taking that spiritual wisdom and it becoming a part of the self within that instance…I love it…I have gathered peace, and also strength from a lot of the discussions onhere already…Thank You All…kind Spirits!!!!

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Fellowship!  That is what I am feeling here.

I used to ask the question alot “Why must I go to church to believe in God?”…….the usual response was “to fellowship with others who also believe in God”.  Hmmm….hmmm….maybe I just went to a couple of “stiff” churches……because I had never felt the kind of fellowship I am feeling here.

Thanks for this “Fellowship” and the encouragement!

Heidi

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This conversation has left me with much to ponder about what I believe and how I live that out in my life……Bruce I like your challenge to suspend beliefs for an hour……it reminds me of a sign I was given by a friend that said “We Believe”…what a conversations starter…..I believe I’ll have another cup of coffee….I believe in God……I’m thinking of a sign that we could put on the door like the “do not disturb” sign…..one side says “I believe”  and the other says “I have no beliefs”, so everyone’s prepared before they come in….I believe I will try live without beliefs(and not get drunk or something)  for one hour…amongst people would be fun…..and see how I feel.