Read Time 4 Mins

We all have underlying philosophies that guide our actions, whether we are conscious of them or not. These philosophies reflect our beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. They influence how we interact with everything in our lives. Beliefs reside in our subconscious, and we are usually unaware of how powerful they are in shaping our lives and actions.

For example, a timid and fearful person might believe that being bold isn’t a natural trait. This belief forms the foundation of their philosophy and will affect actions and behaviour, reinforcing that belief. Changing this belief could be difficult because it requires admitting that being timid is not natural and must be seen as a defect that needs to be altered.

Unfortunately, most people resist change and do not acknowledge their flaws. They tend to justify their actions rather than confront the belief systems that led to the action. This resistance to change often stems from fear and a lack of willingness to explore new knowledge or be wrong.

When our philosophies or belief systems are fractured, our values become corrupt. Values protect our philosophies and shape our beliefs. Continuing with the example of a timid person, they may prioritize being alone or avoid social gatherings because they believe they are not bold. Consequently, they shy away from any situation that requires vocal expression or assertiveness.

Principles serve as guidelines that protect our values. Going back to the same analogy, when a timid person is confronted with their lack of social engagement, they may become defensive, argumentative, or even break down. However, all these reactions are controlled by the underlying belief system residing in the subconscious.

It’s similar to learning how to drive a car. Initially, every move requires conscious effort, with both hands firmly on the steering wheel and complete focus on the road. But with practice, driving becomes a second nature, moving from the conscious mind to the subconscious. Similarly, we are trapped or governed by our belief systems or subconscious mind.

One of the challenges we face is our reluctance to honestly introspect and question our belief systems. It takes humility, courage, and a genuine desire for change to confront our beliefs. We might have built reputations and structured our lives around these philosophies, so embracing a new belief system means letting go of the old one. This can be met with resistance, including ridicule, diverse opinions, jeers, and mockery from friends and family. Many people struggle to face such resistance, especially when they find their current philosophies beneficial in some way.

Changing beliefs requires courage and deep conviction. Most belief systems are inherited to help us adapt to our surroundings, leaving little room for questioning our behavioural patterns. However, I believe many people are not living authentically but are trapped in inherited beliefs. I also believe that our beliefs should align with our original core, reflecting the nature of our creator.

Most religions believe that we are made by God and bear His image or reflect His character. I share this belief. God’s nature is love, which manifests through patience, understanding, justice, strength, creativity, patience,  gentleness, order, respect for others, and the preservation of life. If we believe that we come from God and possess His nature, this should form the core of our beliefs. Our values should safeguard this belief.

I am convinced that love is our true nature, bestowed upon us by our creator. We should act from a place of love, maintaining our integrity. When we fail in acting out love, we shouldn’t justify our flawed actions but strive to return to who we are meant to be. I believe that many mental health challenges arise from a misalignment with our true nature. There is a conflict between who we are and our actions, causing internal stress. We often try to escape this reality but don’t know where to turn. Instead of looking within ourselves for solutions, we tend to blame others or external circumstances for our actions and emotions.

Let’s imagine the timid person looking inward and convincing themselves that timidity is not a part of God’s nature and desires a change. By changing their mindset – the most challenging part of transformation – they can build values that support being bold and assertive. They may start going out more, engaging in reading, and becoming more vocal. When faced with situations that used to trigger their timidity, their reaction will no longer be defensive but warm and accepting. They will view it as a challenge they are actively working on.

In the same way, some people treat others with contempt based on a philosophy of “kill or be killed” or the belief that people are naturally evil and must be controlled. This mindset may result from their upbringing, experiences, and what they have been taught. However, through positive introspection and the realization that they and every individual are created from the same source, deserving love, honour, and respect, they can begin to change how they treat others. But to achieve this, they must let go of their initial belief. It may be challenging to relinquish the privileges gained when people fear them and are unaccountable for their actions. Recognizing this new understanding but being unable to live it out can lead to frustration, anger, and further negative behaviour.

In conclusion, our beliefs and philosophies shape our lives in profound ways. They influence our actions, behaviour, and interactions with the world. However, many of our beliefs reside in our subconscious, making it essential to engage in deep introspection and dare to challenge and change our belief systems. By aligning our beliefs with our true nature rooted in love and respect for all, we can lead more authentic lives and create positive change in ourselves and the world around us.