To Believe or Not to Believe

Yesterday in Literary Journalism Lough asked us all to respond to different aphorisms he gave us. I chose to respond to the aphorism "If God didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent Him". I was proud of what I wrote. It was one of those moments where you realize you still have the ability to surprise yourself. I ended up having this conversation more than once yesterday so I wanted to share my thoughts...

It's far better to walk through life with belief in a divine power than it is to walk through believing nothing. We stand to gain much more by looking at the world from a mystical standpoint, pondering the cosmic mystery that is existence, as opposed to Nihilistic views that life holds no purpose and the world happened for no reason. Belief in a higher, cosmic power promotes a creative and open view of this world. Without God we would be slaves to reason, seeing the world as fact and not abstract.

I'm not Christian. I left the church when I was still in high school. I don't believe in heaven or hell, and I'm not sure if I believe the Jesus story. Honestly I don't like talking about it at this point in my life. It makes me uncomfortable. I agree with what Lough said that I am definitely in the position of "I don't know" with my religious views. I don't know, and that's all right. I spent twelve years being told what I should believe, and after it all I just want to come to my own conclusion about everything. It could take years, but I don't care. Why do I have to decide where I stand now? I've got the rest of my life.

I do still strongly believe in one thing, and that is believing. Despite how far I've fallen from my faith, I still believe in a higher power. I really do think that your life will be better off if you view the world as a beautiful, mysterious place, and ponder the signs and connections in everyday life. It's better to wrap your mind around what cosmic being created the world and all it's wonder than to believe this is all just a random accident. People can try to tell me that the world has no creator, but it won't matter. This is what I want to believe. I don't care if it isn't real.

Affirmations

• Always rely on a happy mind alone.

• Remember to acknowledge the angry stirrings in your mind for what they are, realize that allowing them to grow will only result in suffering, and then make a free and conscious decision to respond more constructively.
  

• It's through your own anger and hatred that you transform people into enemies.

• By training yourself to look at frustrating situations in a more realistic manner, you can free yourself from a lot of unnecessary mental suffering.

• Because it is based on exaggeration, anger is an unrealistic mind.

• Problems do not exist outside your mind, so when you stop seeing other people as problems they stop being problems.

Photo: Soto Zen Buddhist Association of North America, SZBA.org

Affirmations

Repeat these Buddhist affirmations to yourself whenever you feel taken over by anger. When I was in a disgusted state with myself and my output on the world, they helped change my life. I will keep posting more regularly so that everyone will hopefully find one affirmation that speaks to them. Anyone has the power to become a better person if they truly want to with all of their heart.

• Being patient means to welcome wholeheartedly whatever arises, having given up the idea that things should be other than what they are.

• Don't expose yourself to great personal danger merely to extract petty revenge.

• "Conquer anger by non-anger. Conquer evil by good. Conquer miserliness by liberality. Conquer a liar by truthfulness." (Dhammapada, v. 233)

More to come...