We think it is what we believe in that gives us meaning. Unfortunately, it implies that a belief system is more important than reality, more important than the truth.
It is a fatal flaw in humans that belief systems take precedence over objective reality and over the truth. Inherent in that flaw is the ability of humans to believe in invented fantasies, outright delusions, or whatever the prevailing mass hallucination that is being propagandized at us.
The truth is that our belief systems separate us from who we really are. So it goes almost without saying that of course it is our belief systems that separate us from others. And by extension, it our belief systems that separate us from ourselves.
How Does One Break Free?
A simple question, but not necessarily easy to answer. Of course, there are plenty of noise-makers who say “choose my system and you will be better for it.” But all of them are simply just noise-makers, loudmouths, blusterers. All have their own ax to grind. All are more dedicated to their system than to reality and to the truth.
One could contend that without a belief system, one could know what is real because then there would be no separation between ourselves and the reality in which we live. That is a bold statement don’t you think?
I cannot pretend to offer anyone a non-belief system life. I cannot even offer it to myself. Belief systems are so ingrained upon us at a young age that it makes indelible marks upon us, ones that cannot be removed, or covered up, or smoothed over. I find it impossible to think there actually is an escape from belief systems.
So if they are unremovable, what is to be done? Like a man who knows something about himself, whether it be a physical condition, or a propensity towards one kind of reaction or another, by being aware and constantly watching for the need to balance his behavior or actions, one can finally take into consideration what must be done to achieve or at least reach for some sort of equilibrium. The aim is to be aware of one’s placement in the firmament of whatever belief system one is embedded in. If I know I am ensnared in the web of one belief system or another, then I have the opportunity to make some adjustments for my position.
Conflict
Of course, if one decides that one’s position is the only right position; if one believes that one’s belief system is the only correct one; if one assumes that no other belief systems are worth anything,… then one enters the realm of conflict without an escape. Unfortunately, this seems to be the state of affairs of much of the world, whether political, religious, financial, or ethnic. Constant aggression of one group against the next; with man’s belief systems seemingly bolstering whatever side one finds oneself. The constant aggression of various groups towards other groups is an obvious sign of humanity’s aggression towards itself: hence we can say that belief systems generate man’s violence against himself.
What do you think about belief systems? Let me know here.
The illustration of decorative groupings is from an 1897 volume “Festons und Decorative Gruppen aus Pflanzen und Thieren” (Festoons and Decorative Groups of Plants and Animals) published by Martin Gerlach (senior). It is a “book of samples”, a reference manual meant for inspiring artists and artisans designing plaster, textile, wallpaper, and wood. Courtesy Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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