Belief primarily emanates from deeper psychological factors, such as fear, hope, and by what was poured into one in the past. Many people say, “I will not give up my beliefs.” And it may be an ego thing (i.e., these are “my” beliefs). The beliefs tend to actually reinforce the ego. (This, in itself, may negate the possibility of true nirvana, for nirvana may only occur in the egoless mind.) Many people think that if they believe something, they will get something out of it… spiritually, for example. It’s a quid pro quo, this for that, marketplace kind of thing. And, having different beliefs worldwide, we are at each others’ throats. Many — if not all — wars have resulted in the spilling of blood… over beliefs.
Being beyond “beliefs” demands a lot of acute awareness, deep examination, and tremendous inner discipline. It may be that a very intelligent mind largely exists beyond what “beliefs” entail. Such a mind is free to look without circumscribed conditioning. Such a mind does not look through (and “as”) preconceived, rigid, spoon-fed patterns. Only then can the real magic of free discovery happen. Then one does not belong to groups that cause friction, division, and conflict in the world. But most people don’t want to hear such things. They want to go on believing (because it’s the easy thing to do).
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
In my life “believing” is something I need to experience in order for it to become real. Otherwise, it stand outside of me as “information” – sounds crazy but personal experience is what something in me demands. This has caused me endless trouble in my life because personal experience isn’t valued and this is the reality that I come out of! WOW GORGEOUS PHOTO AND I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT EMERALD GREEN – I THINK IT WAS A LEAFHOPPER -IN YOUR LAST POST. YOUR PHOTOS TOM ARE JUST BEYOND WORDS…WONDROUS.
Thanks about the photographs, Sara. Much appreciated! 😀 That emerald green bug was not a leafhopper, it was a stink bug. Actually, it looks like a southern stink bug. With global warming, more southern species are coming up north.
As for “belief” needing to come first… no. One can’t believe in the sacred. It is just too ineffable, too vast. Belief has no place in true meditation.
Ok I think we crossed wires!- my point is that experience determines what I end up believing in terms of behavior etc Belief when it comes to that ineffable comes down to experiences that cannot be translated – make sense? There are so many truths….
I’m confused meditation is a means to open to the divine, nature, ineffable – believing for me comes out of experiencing – it’s not abstract – but real – as I said before there are as many roads as there are people – yes?
I don’t think that meditation, per se, is a means to an end. You can’t, as i’ve said, get to the timeless through time.
If believing, for you, is what involves experiencing and seeing what is real, then that is super sweet… but then, i’m not sure i’d refer to it as believing. 😉
There may be as many roads as there are people, but they don’t lead to the timeless immensity. No path, no matter how exotic, leads to the timeless, the pathless.
This may be true although timelessness i experience through experience – gosh that sounds like a koan or something – words just don’t do it with this kind of thing!
Yes, words (being symbols) are very limiting. But one will say this… Timelessness is not of the realm of what we call ordinary experience (because it is not merely of the 5 senses). So putting it in the realm of experience is rather erroneous. It is very difficult to explain with words; words are all the offspring of regular experience.
I think we have to agree to disagree Tom! No matter – I would just add that I believe there is more than one way…
One maybe gets the drift of what you are saying.
When one has seen and felt the sun, though, for example, you don’t have to believe in it… it exists.
I take it, if you haven’t personally experienced it, it is just information that is being told, so it may be true or false. That is viable!
You made a valid point about “beyond belief” which you have touched on in some of your previous posts Tom. That “conditioning” is very influential on our belief system. Often, it’s too difficult to step away from those conditioned beliefs. Our stubbornness to be more independent to change outside the “preconceived, rigid, spoon-fed patterns” that you speak of cannot happen if people don’t want to change distorted beliefs because it is a challenge they don’t want to address or listen to, even when they know how dangerous those beliefs are. Good post today my friend. 🥰✨🤗💖😘🦋😊
Thanks much, Kym. 😊 Yes, people have resistance to going beyond beliefs, because they actually are those beliefs. Those beliefs constitute their consciousness and formulate who (and what) they are. To be beyond those beliefs, one has to psychologically die to what one is (psychologically)… and most people are unwilling to do that. So they cling to their beliefs. This is, actually, clinging to what one has accumulated psychologically. We won’t give up our collection (that others poured into us). One of the sayings that the historical Christ probably said was to be like little children. Young children don’t have beliefs. (This, among other things, is likely why the high priests wanted him terminated.)
AMEN Tom! 🙏🏼😊✨
Another good one, Tom. I work at trying to be beyond beliefs. And yes, as usual, your photos are excellent.
Thanks, Ken! It’s great to read that you are endeavoring to be beyond beliefs. And, i didn’t say “your beliefs,” because, of course, it is not merely a possession kind of thing; we are the beliefs… not something separate from them that “has” them. So the way that you worded it was prudent! 😎
What a shame it is that so many of our species are so quick to surrender their minds to groundless -isms. And then their madness is compounded when they revile and persecute those who won’t.
Yes, pstachowski, humans fight and kill for those isms. And the conflicts that ensue just intensify their “beliefs.” So true and so tragic. 🙄
Very true, Tom. How can anyone be so certain that their beliefs are true – certain enough to kill someone who disagrees? It’s hard to understand people… Absolutely gorgeous photo, and I love that it’s a stink bug!
Thanks, Harini! 😉 Yes, people get programmed and will do anything to stick to that programming… even kill.
Beautiful capture and wonderful colour Tom!
Many thanks, Marcela! 😊
Good discussion opener, nice article. I think a lot about beliefs too. And it is like anything else. It’s a system. You grow, you need something to grasp, the feeling of something you will die for or something to follow or just to take another step on the ladder of life.
The system has to eventually be abandoned , if the belief is a system in which you experiment more or less safely a mind expansion.
It becomes dangerous when indeed people look too much behind the doors of their neighbors , feeling then insecure if the neighbor don’t respond to pre established codes . The lecture , or scrutiny, can be mistaken for hostility. We all know this.
I agree that only a wide open , comprehensive, and curious mind can understand we can overcome.
But also i have seen such things that i’m not surprised. I also experienced the will to kill. Deep . A territory thing. Physical, mental , virtual, emotional. Possesion.
So in these cases, beliefs are very important, especially in ourselves, believe we can overcome.
You do have such stunning photos. I really want more time to visit here and see them. As for beliefs, mine have changed so much over the decades that I now realize they are liquid and not stone. As one grows and learns, beliefs must also. Then be ready to let go of them again. You are very good at explaining this.
Good to read, Marlene. My suggestion, though, is why does one need to have beliefs in the first place? Why does one need to have them at all?
And another point, it may not be that we have beliefs. It may be that beliefs have us… beliefs control us. Being beyond beliefs may be real freedom… which doesn’t mean that one drifts around aimlessly in the spiritual sense. 😉
Our beliefs change with the tides, or more with the state of the world would be a better way to put it. I am so appalled at everything these days, that I am not sure how I feel about anything anymore. I like your vibrant flower and a dainty bug doing its tightrope walk Tom. It is incredible how the fine hairs on that plant stem show up in this image.
Like i said to Marlene (insearchofitall) above, it may not be that we have beliefs; it may be that beliefs have us… beliefs control us. Being beyond beliefs is real freedom and dynamic spiritual intelligence. 😉
Beautiful flower
Thanks, Shabnam, but it’s what i had written that has significance, not the picture of the flower. 😉
What a spectacular photograph! Just wow! And, as usual, spot on with your commentary regarding getting beyond beliefs.
Your thoughts on beliefs are spot on, Tom! I am thankful for preferring to have an inquisitive mind rather than getting mired down in beliefs. My mind can be adjusted as new thoughts or facts enter into view. As always, stunning photographs!