Do We Really Believe What We Claim?
We make claims about what we believe, though we may not always be fully behind the worldview. Professing to believe an idea, we may not always be convinced of its validity. This may proceed knowingly or subconsciously for a variety of reasons relating to social or personal identity.
We have true beliefs, of which our minds and hearts are both convinced. From these beliefs values naturally arise. Example: I believe others are as valuable as myself. Therefore a value formed on this beliefs might be to treat others the way I would want to be treated. Actions and words could then be built on this value. However, for many of us there are axioms, for whatever reason, we choose to declare and even act on though we are not legitimately certain of their truth at all.
Do our words and actions stem from our values and beliefs?
The beliefs we proclaim
The ideals and standards we assert are many and varied. We may wear our beliefs on our sleeve, on the bumper of our car, or in the social media we share and follow. Some may only quietly nod along when with others of assenting opinions, while others enjoy a debate with those who differ. We might scream at opposition in intense confrontational manners, or only share in private with a close friend. However we make our assertions, the total sum of this category is our professed world view. These are not necessarily what we consciously or subconsciously believe. Neither are these what our actions aline with. They are simply the social claims we make about ourselves wether or not they are true.
The beliefs we assert via our actions
We also express our world view through our actions. This identifies the ideals that our actions express, be they aligned with what we see as true and right, or otherwise. Seeking your partners good before your own would express the belief that loving them as ourselves, or more than ourselves, is good and valuable. Putting our partner after our desires expresses a stance that our own good should be pursued beyond theirs. This doesn’t mean we believe this, but it does proclaim it more strongly than if we spoke the words.
(Words and actions both speak volumes. Though many religions and cultures support the popular saying, “actions speak louder than words.”)
Values built on beliefs
Finally we examine our values. Logical reasoning and emotional investigation interweave to discover and establish a foundation of beliefs, basic truths. This would be what we deeply believe outside of influence or pressure.
Core values may be found rising from these beliefs. Pillars which can be referenced in the daily shaping of our actions and social presentation. When our basic beliefs are not founded first, with values built on the truths we discovered and actions and words flowing from the values, it is surprisingly common to find the process happening in reverse. We find ourselves conjuring up values to back up our words and actions, and slowly we try and contrive beliefs that could support our values from there.
We should strive to investigate and discover deeply rooted beliefs, giving rise to subsequent values and consequently change our words and actions to align.
Foundational beliefs: examination and analysis
This brings us down to the root of the issue. We need to deeply investigate ourselves and the world around us to uncover what really rings true. Deep within our mind, heart, and soul what are the concepts that are logical and ethical and consistent?
Tips that might help in along the way:
- Read a lot of bumper stickers and instagram posts….joking!
- Journaling is a great way to do this, a direct journal practice is better: Write out what logically seems true in the world, then write our what you find true in your heart. Journal examples of why and research you have done.
- Reading books on topics you are examining or simply on epistemology in general. Be thoughtful in researching the writer so as to spend time examining valuable thinkers. Be sure to read not only what would support your beliefs, but also those that dissent. This is a great way to gain wonderful perspective of the subjects.
- Look historically at the results of people, cultures, and civilizations that held this/these beliefs to be true and what the results were.
- (I don’t like to be specific in these approaches as it is something that is best sussed out be each individual to discover what best clarifies for each mind and heart.)
Belief integration
This is simplest but often the hardest part. Standing behind what we believe with grace and intention. Taking the values we have pulled from our beliefs we are finally brought to our actions and social presentation. Seeking to harmonize these areas so that the there is an honest flow from foundation to expression. We have turned our beliefs into values, and values into actions, and finally we stand behind these with our words. With such intentional steps we can honestly know and stand behind our beliefs with words and actions. A helpful exercise in this step is continuing the journaling practice by writing out what actions and words seem to flow from these values. Then examining where they align and where they stray from the foundation we have established.
“Living in harmony with oneself is a richest treasure.”
The ongoing lifestyle of examination and alignment
Of course we realize that the investigation and discovery of beliefs is more or less a continual process. We establish the foundational beliefs with deepest roots, but our mind and heart should never completely settle. After a groundwork is laid there will be varying levels of continued analysis. While a philosopher may do this constantly and a busy parent may seldom find the pertinence or opportunity for this exploration, re-examinations remain active to some degree in all healthy individuals. This pattern will sharpen our understanding of the world around us and our beliefs. It will help us to discover the best ways to express ourselves and our views in word and deed.
A quick side in the restructuring process. As we rebuild our habits and pursuits to align with our (newly discovered or reassured) beliefs. This process will naturally build confidence in our standing up for our beliefs and humility and doing so gracefully. Along this road it is beneficial to find friends who help us live these truths. Our road to gentle confidence will lend itself greatly in this realm.
You can live with inner rest, not conflict and turmoil
Perhaps the greatest benefit of this systematic examination and development of beliefs to actions is the peace of a person at rest within themselves. The discovery of a quiet spirit that comes with a life no longer in conflict between word, action, value, and belief is an exhale of relief. No perfect life is achievable. But knowing that your priorities, goals and dreams are in line with your understanding of reality cultivates a peace beyond understanding. A quiet strength and stability even in tumultuous times is a result of such a unification. A tranquil rest at the end of the day. A subtle smile to oneself, to ones own soul, a commendation of the calm that resides in you. A person’s journey to peace within themselves begins with the alignment of their thoughts, words, and actions to a unified understanding and purpose.
Living in harmony with oneself is a richest treasure.
