3 Things To Know About Beliefs Systems

Why do you believe in the things that you do?

We all have a set of beliefs that shape the way we view the world around us. It’s how we make sense of ourselves and the world on a conscious and subconscious level. But do you ever stop and ask yourself why you believe the things you believe? Where did you pick up these beliefs and are they true?

What are belief systems?

At some point in your life, you were told something or exposed to something that further molded your mind’s perception. You picked up ideologies and dogmas that serve the analysis of your everyday experience. Like a computer code, belief systems are a set of principles that make up a person’s perception, how they see themselves, how they view the world around them, and even how they operate. Beliefs are what people perceive to be “right” vs “wrong” and “good” vs “bad” in order to make sense and navigate their reality. Beliefs are the preset, organized filters to our perceptions of the world (external and internal).

Belief systems are based solely on a person’s upbringing, environment, and education, and they can include religion, politics, philosophy, spirituality, values, thoughts, ideas, and personal beliefs.

Beliefs are so powerful that many people tend to consciously and unconsciously identify with them. When we identify with our beliefs, they have the capacity to determine our reality. This, depending on what you believe in, could either be a helpful or unhelpful attribute. Ultimately, our beliefs are a compass that help guide us toward the direction we have in mind.

Here are 3 things to keep in mind when it comes to belief systems:

1) Fun fact: Beliefs aren’t universal facts.

Belief systems are perceived as fact in the eye of the beholder. However, the difference between a fact and a belief is that a fact is not open to interpretation. A fact is something that can be proven true through objective, verifiable evidence. Water freezes at 32 degrees fahrenheit, a human heart pumps blood through the body,  sunlight provides an excellent source of Vitamin D, WWII ended September 2, 1945, and there are 60 seconds in 1 minute. These are all examples of facts because they are an indisputable observation of a social or natural phenomenon and we can see it directly and show it to others.

Beliefs, on the other hand, are based on one’s individual opinion and what they hold to be personally true. Beliefs can exist without factual evidence. Because they are held closely to one’s heart, in the eyes of the beholder, beliefs can be just as true and powerful as facts, even if there is evidence to prove them otherwise.

Belief systems can show up on a conscious and subconscious level and can determine the filter over our eyes. Because belief systems can dictate our perception, some people may struggle to identify certain belief systems because they have unconsciously confused their beliefs with facts. This can be a disservice to Self especially with unhelpful subconscious belief systems, like what some may call “limiting beliefs,” but we will save that conversation for another article. For now, we will focus on what we know—our conscious belief systems, like a belief in a God, Gods, or lack thereof, the belief that lying is bad, believing that romantic relationships should be easy, and the belief that the government should not be trusted and vice versa, believing that the person laughing when you walk into a room is laughing at you,  just to name a few.

While beliefs may be factual to the person who holds them, that doesn't make them true for the rest of the world. For example, Christians may believe that Jesus Christ is the all-mighty God, all the while believing that any other God that is not Jesus is a false god and possibly even demonic. On the contrary, a Pagan may believe in multiple Gods as the way, the truth, and the light. In the eye’s of these two individuals, they each hold a firm set of beliefs that are true to each of them and many others who agree. But in the grand scheme of things, outside of their perception is not anything more than faith that their perception is the truth, and many times, a belief that whoever disagrees is simply wrong.

There is nothing wrong with having a strong set of belief systems. In fact, being confident and having a strong faith in your beliefs is a powerful state of being, and again, depending on your beliefs, can impact your life in a helpful way. But the problem arises when you declare your beliefs as a universal truth to all, that when someone who disagrees with you, even if they have evidence to prove their reasoning, and you label them as “wrong” or “less than” or “lost,” without being open to the possibilities an alternative perspective has to offer, you limit your consciousness from gaining new knowledge that can further guide you on your journey.

So what if someone has a different view than you? Does that mean they are right or wrong? Maybe it does, maybe it doesn’t, depending on the facts of the matter. If you have a strong confidence in what you believe in, what harm is there to gain new information and challenge your beliefs? Could it only bring you more insight to strengthen your current beliefs? Or could it trigger your threat response at the simple idea that—maybe your belief is wrong?

If you find yourself denying the existence of opposing beliefs and labeling them as false, even when they have supporting evidence, you may be closing yourself off to the vast truth that the world has to offer.

2) Challenging your beliefs can help you grow.

Have you ever heard the quote, “The more you know, the more you know that you don’t know”? Coined by Aristotle, this quote contains great wisdom that I believe we all can benefit from. In my journey thus far, I have realized the truth behind this quote. The more I learn and expand my knowledge, the more I understand that there is so much more to learn, and I really don’t have all the answers. This can either excite you and keep you hungry for new information, or trigger you, your ego, and burn your flesh.

What happens if a person is presented with new information that contradicts their belief systems? Oftentimes, there is a shadow that arises from the “identity” of their rigid belief systems. Let’s face it, we are all human and we have all done and/or experienced this from time to time. You know, when you witness someone saying or doing something that goes against your beliefs and values. The ego tends to be quick to judge and label anything outside of its thinking as “wrong” or “less than.” There is a sense of power and an “I’m a better person than you” attitude that arises when a person leaves little to no room for new information, especially if it challenges their current perceptions.

In addition, a person who is so set in their ways and refuses to allow new information to enter their stream of consciousness may find their nervous system in a state of dysregulation when their beliefs are threatened. Whether it be a sympathetic response, which activates the fight or flight response, or even a dorsal vagal response, which is activated by the parasympathetic nervous system and can cause a person to shut down, a threat to a person’s deeply ingrained belief systems can mean a threat to their “identity.” Because of this, a person may go above and beyond to protect what they know, or completely shut down and deny any new information. We see this all the time with politics, religions, societal standards, and so on. Majority of the time, people will defend what they believe in or disengage with opposing arguments because not only are their beliefs true to them, but denying factual evidence and opposing perspectives is more desirable than feeling the pain of a shattered identity or admitting the fact that they might actually be wrong.

The ego wants to be right because being “right” and “knowing the truth” presents a sense of certainty, which then provides a sense of “safety” to the individual who holds them. However, in this world, certainty is an illusion. Part of what makes this human experience so grand is the mysteries of it all. Are we as human beings supposed to have an answer for everything? Are some things better left unsaid and unanswered because that’s the beauty and great wonders of what makes up life as we know it? Does God / the Highest Power want us to know all the answers? Would knowing all things take away from a deeper relationship with our own faith and trust?

3) You get to choose what you believe in.

The opposite of a closed-off mind is a mind that is open to receiving new information that can better shape their personal perceptions, understanding of self, and the world around them. This is a mind that is open to new information and has the ability to choose what resonates and leave the rest. This is for the mind that is willing to reshape, like moldable, flexible clay that continues to be watered rather than harden over.

We don’t have to hold onto belief systems if we don’t want to. Whether it be beliefs that we picked up from childhood, beliefs we learned in adulthood, or even generational belief systems that have been passed down to us through genetics and our DNA, we have the opportunity to question, believe, and reprogram to choose.

I don’t know about you, but I have found myself following the herd of particular belief systems because I thought it was the “right” way to think. Yet, something inside of me still wasn’t fully on board. I denied my instincts and continued to follow the dogmas that had been instilled in me because on a deeper level, I craved approval from those around me. Even if the beliefs didn't make all the sense to me, I would claim it as truth anyways, as long as it meant validation and acceptance from others.

This desire is natural and stems all the way back to our ancestral times. Back when we would hunt and gather to survive, being accepted into the community meant more reward, comfort, stability, and safety in one’s environment. Just like a wolf pack, it is easier to stick together than it is to separate yourself from the group.

I realized that I had become so focused on one belief that I completely rejected anything that contradicted it, even when the truth I sought lied outside of the bubble I was in. So, I bit the bullet, slayed my ego, and acknowledged the fact that my stubbornness, denial, and lack of understanding was the very thing that was keeping me small in this vast world.

Having a human experience means we get the opportunity to learn and grow. When we are in spirit, we are in all-knowing. Here, in physical reality, we are continuously unraveling newness and, I believe, thinning the veil in order to connect deeper to the Truth that is within us, outside of us, and of this world. We get the opportunity and choice to discover more, receive more, or not.

Does this mean you “should” change your beliefs? Of course not! Your beliefs are yours to keep if you choose to. But the amazing part about being human is that we have the ability to gain knowledge, grow deeper understandings, and rewire our minds if we desire to, even if it doesn’t feel good and goes against who we think we are.

An open mind is an open heart. If you notice yourself getting fired up about someone else’s perspectives, ask yourself: What about this perspective is triggering me? Could this perspective be true? Why do I believe in what I believe? Am I willing to receive new information, even if it goes against what I believe?

Be love and be in love. Here’s to being human and remembering who we are.