MetaHistory - Sharing Beliefs

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A few words

on

Belief Change

The power of believing is a tremendous motivating force in human experience, yet how often do we stop and look honestly at what we believe? So many of our beliefs are acquired without our evaluating them that is, imposed on us by family, society, culture, nation, and race and so we come to accept what we believe without actually owning it in a conscious way.

In Metahistory Quest we propose to share and state our beliefs. We realize that this proposal may be doomed to failure at the outset, because to expose our beliefs leaves us wide open to be judged for them or so we imagine. Our intention here is not to judge but to compile an inventory of beliefs. Responses will be posted on the site with no comment or analysis.

We sincerely hope that all those who visit this page will feel safe in stating their beliefs. We realize, however, that there is another reason why our invitation may be difficult. We are all deeply identified with our beliefs, even if we cannot articulate precisely what they are. To state a belief is to leave it open to be challenged, and this situation makes us feel vulnerable, even when we are assured that no challenge is intended. The invitation to own our beliefs seems to threaten our sense of identity and importance. These concerns may impede us from being honest and forthright about what we believe.

Paradoxically, the beliefs we hold so important are best shared
without self-importance. Indeed, wouldn’t it be a different world
if people of all persuasions were able to share and compare their beliefs
without self-importance?

What one Tibetan teacher has written of views could well apply to beliefs:

The correct view is free from extremes. It is the state beyond concepts, transcending mental fabrications. It is inexpressible, inconceivable and indescribable. If one has any attachment or clinging, one does not have the right view: the true view is without fixation.
- Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen

To hold beliefs with conviction but without fixation is quite a challenge, but by sharing our beliefs we can lessen the obsessive, fixating tendency.

At Metahistory Quest we propose that changing belief is the most effective way to change behavior, but we do not ask anyone to change their beliefs. Who knows, perhaps by sharing our beliefs we will come to review them and want to change them, without being asked to do so. We all evolve, so why shouldn’t our beliefs also evolve? Beliefs can change as we grow and learn. By openly stating our beliefs we may came to see them more clearly and hence recharge our beliefs with new insight and a maturing force of conviction.

To foster aligned (i.e., consciously chosen) belief is a primary aim of Metahistory Quest. To this end we invite all visitors to the site to enter their beliefs following the questions below. Of the many beliefs that could be considered, we have selected five of prevailing import to simplify the inventory. Please indicate responses by number.

Thanks for your courage and participation.

1. What is the fundamental belief of your life, the single belief that you hold with the most passion?

2. What do you believe about "God", according to your definition of that term?

3. What do you believe about life after death?

4. What do you believe about the causes of violence in the world?

5. What do you believe about the role of love in human experience?

Our purpose in compiling an inventory of beliefs is to stimulate a dialogue among believers. Metahistory Quest will post all beliefs unless requested otherwise. Participants may remain anonymous. You may provide your name, or just your initials. If you wish, you may supply a one-line sentence to describe yourself. We will also feature beliefs of well-known people, artists, writers and activists, who agree to respond to the Belief Button.

Viewers who have any questions or concerns about sharing beliefs, or who care to write us on the subject of belief outside the parameters of this inventory, please feel free to do so by composing a message in the response box provided.

Thank you,

The Metahistory Quest Team

Credos
received

Credos 2007



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