Written by: Mira Taylor, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Whether or not you grew up in a spiritual or faith-based household, the truth is that we have all grown up in (and therefore have been consciously and unconsciously influenced by) environments that have, themselves, been heavily influenced and shaped by faith, religion, and spirituality through the eyes of culture, politics, and government over many centuries. Our awareness of the spiritual (and sometimes “non” spiritual) belief systems we hold to be true for our Self, other individuals, communities, societies, and the world at large play a substantial and influential role in our mental health through our personal and shared psychology and the perceptions we approach life with.
Most of us don’t give our mind and imagination credit as the amazing tools that they are. Many folks mindlessly approach most days and consume loads of narratives, programming, information, and belief structures without a real conscious appreciation for how these things affect us through the time, energy, and attention they take up within us and our psyche. Therefore, awareness is always an important first step in our ability to understand and take stock of the belief systems we have accepted as “truths”: It’s from a place of present and unbiased awareness that we can mindfully approach these beliefs with a sense of conscious responsibility for how they have been and are shaping our reality – shared and personal. When we experience belief through our thoughts it requires us to utilize a combination of our individual mind and imagination. It might seem somewhat silly, trivial, and even “esoteric” to believe that belief could possibly have such a powerful role in our life when you look at it on the surface. But if you look are willing to look at belief through a deeper lens of modern scientific understanding – specifically through the sciences of human psychology, quantum mechanics(physics) and studies of consciousness – you begin to appreciate just how truly powerful your beliefs and mind truly are. So, what’s so scientific about “belief”? Recent studies show that our beliefs make up the majority of what is referred to as the “internal reality” or personal perception and that it is our personal and individual perception that shapes the way we experience reality on a daily basis. It is also scientifically attached through the studies of physics where modern research and scientific study clearly prove a connection between our thought patterns and the energetic frequencies (wavelengths and resonances) they create, exist in and what they subsequently attract and project for each of us. To learn more about the connections between Science & Spirituality visit my article “The intersection: Science & Faith”. It's important to understand that our personal beliefs are more built out of more than just concepts of religiosity. In laymen’s terms – something as simple as believing that you “aren’t enough”, that you are “unintelligent” or that you exist on earth as a “punishment” or to “suffer” is now being scientifically proven to shape and create that reality for you. For many who have followed some of the ancient wisdom teachings this is a concept that is referred to as “As Above, So Below” or Cosmic Resonance Theory. It is a reference to the idea that whatever you think and believe in is what you are constantly attracting into your life and, according to our modern scientific understandings, this has always been true! For more in-depth information on this topic please visit my article “The Universe as A Mirror of the Mind”. When you truly begin to believe in how powerful your ability to believe is – more realistically how powerful your mind and imagination are – one can’t help but pause and think to themselves “with great power comes great responsibility”. Knowing the truth of your choices in the ways in which you use your mind and imagination is usually a huge wake-up call for many – you have even heard some call it an “awakening”. It is referred to this way because once you receive and accept this knowledge, you inevitably begin seeing the world and your interactions with it through new eyes. Owning the truth of “how it all works” means owning that you have a lot more responsibility for your life than most people want to take on and that many of the things you have accepted a “victim” relationship with can no longer exist in that view through your new perception. You begin to understand the managing your life is about managing your mind and that it is both that simple and that difficult. This is where the role of “conscious responsibility” comes into play so that you can begin to understand and own your relationship with spirituality, personal belief systems and practices as alchemical choices and not “rites of requirement” or “procedures for acceptance”. Becoming fully internally aware of and taking responsibility for your thoughts and beliefs will help you understand that there is no need for you to practice any one structured or dictated belief system to be “worthy” – aside from cultivating an internal belief system that you already are. All this said, you might now be wondering to your Self “what exactly is Conscious Responsibility”?
Conscious Responsibility:
“The concept of holding oneself accountable for one’s thoughts, beliefs and views of Self and others – with the understanding that these shape and directly influence one’s psyche (mental and spiritual wellness) and the daily reality you experience.”
The process of becoming Consciously Responsible for your thoughts, actions, and beliefs –and(or) becoming a “mindful mental consumer” – is necessary for you to be able to identify and disassociate from beliefs that are having a detrimental or limiting influence in your life. This process is conceptually simple but can be mentally complex depending on the individual. It also requires a certain amount of forgiveness, compassion and non-judgement of oneself for your previous state of “unawareness”. Remember, as you begin the journey of self-understanding and start to proverbially turn over the stones and uproot the weeds that dwell in the garden of your consciousness that you can only…
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” – Maya Angelou.
It’s also important to remember that it is not only your spiritual beliefs which can be adversely affecting your life. As stated previously in this article, even a conscious (or subconscious) choice to believe in something as simple as the idea that you aren’t“successful” or “enough” in the present moment will hold real and weighty implications for how you experience life and how others perceive you also.
Below are some questions I hope will help readers of this article begin to identify and become aware of their existing belief systems and start making choices with their beliefs in a way which feels beneficial, purposeful, and constructive to them.
Self-Guided Questions for Becoming Mindfully Aware of Your Spiritual Belief Systems
When was the last time you reflected on and analyzed the belief systems you hold to be “truths” for you? Do you feel like you are “allowed” to safely question your spiritual beliefs/practices?
Does your relationship with spirituality and the belief system it promotes within you cage you (and others) in or free you? Does it silence your inner-voice or strengthen it?
Do your spiritual practices and beliefs help you see the best or worst in others? Do they shape a positive view of humanity and our collective future?
What do you see as the role or “purpose” for belief and spirituality/ spiritual practices in your life? Is it fulfilling that role or purpose? Is that role or purpose loving/beneficial or controlling/ limiting?
Self-Guided Questions for Identifying ExistingBelief Systems (Spiritual and Non-Spiritual)
Is there something you feel or belief about yourself that has held you back in your life? How would you describe it?
What is it that you would like to be/do/have that this belief has kept you from being/doing/having?
What do you think is the root cause of this belief that has held you back in life? What makes this a belief, and it’s impacts on your life a “problem” for you?
At what point in your life (approx.) did you decide to belief this about yourself. What or who made you really “buy in” to and apply this belief to yourself?
What has this belief meant to you? How has it shaped your life choices? What has it stopped you from doing/ being or having? What has it given you?
Think about and describe the version of yourself you see without this Self-belief? How is this version of you different? What is their life like?
What do you want to do about this Self-belief you have had right now?
What major consequences have you experienced in your life because of this Self-belief?
Describe the actions you took because of this Self-belief? Did you have an awareness of these consequences when you took the action?
If the answer is yes, why did you believe that you deserved to experience a life that involves “consequences”?
How would you see your past self differently if you viewed these moments of your life as necessary lessons for healing your soul in multiple lifetimes/ realities INSTEAD of viewing them as punishments?
How have these lessons made you a better person? How have they shaped who you are today? Would you be who you are today without these experiences?
Questions for Identifying and Affirming Positive Self Belief
What is a positive self-belief you have? Describe how this belief makes you feel.
Do you have a negative or limiting self-belief stopped or suppressed your ability to connect with and live this positive self-belief?
Why do you think you chose to listen to the negative self-belief instead of the positive self-belief?
How would your life be different today if you had chosen the positive self-belief over the negative self believe at major points of your life? Give an example.
When you see the future, you want for yourself. What role does this positive self-belief play in it?
Why is this self-belief important to the core of who you are?
How will this positive self-belief positively impact or change your relationships?
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Mira Taylor, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mira Taylor is an Integrative Therapist, Subconscious Medium & Organizational Wellness Consultant who focuses on guiding clientele toward total wellness by combining concepts of psychology, spirituality, philosophy, and sustainable life practices. Mira is a member of the International Association of Therapists and master certified in Modern Applied Psychology, Cognitive Remodeling Therapy, Subconscious Integration Therapy, Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness, Wellness Linguistics, and Archetypal Psychology.
