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Introduction
I heard a wonderful story about the nature of beliefs the other day. It recounts the story of Sir Isaac Newton, who as we know, was an avid scientist, author, philosopher, and mathematician. This story exemplifies the power that belief in the unknown has on the science of observation.
The story is, Nobody Made It, and it touches upon a core belief in human ingenuity. It goes as follows.
A young student admired a mechanical mock-up of Sir Isaac Newton’s Copernican system of the planets orbiting the sun. The curious student, I wonder if he was a student of Newton’s, did not believe in simplistic answers. The student evaluated the cogs, gears, wires, and spheres. They were operating in perfect harmony. He asked the professor, “Who made this most wonderful model.” The wise Newton answered simply, “no one!”
The student, beyond his years of curiosity, accepted the answer given. He thought to himself, can no one make the model? Of course not. That would be as absurd. It is like believing that no intelligence stands behind the creation of the reality that inspired the model.
What a beautiful story. Does it not demonstrate the power that belief has on the simplistic and wondrous nature of creation!
I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God, written by those who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.
Isaac Newton
Science and Belief
Has science replaced faith? I do not believe so. Throughout its history, there was a need for science to link foundational belief patterns to higher-order processes. Isaac Newton, one of the most profound scientists of all time, demonstrates this need in the above quote.
While science and religion have traditionally had an adversarial relationship, this need not be the case. Science relies on belief as a foundation for its principles just as much as religion relies on faith. Even the most solid scientific theory needs the power of belief for it to be accepted as true. If true belief needs consensus, can there be any truth that remains separate from the eye of the beholder? Furthermore, can we ever truly remove the importance belief has on our personal and collective development?
This philosophical quandary relies upon the staunch positions of objectivity and subjectivity. However, let us explore here how factual truths can create inroads toward psychological well-being.
By challenging one’s subjective state of consciousness, one develops the ability to grow. Our beliefs, when challenged, should open doors for reflection, the main ingredient for personal development. It is through reflection that we create meaning and purpose. When we have personal meaning, we create inroads for hope and optimism. This fosters new social connections based upon mutual aims. This, in turn, leads to reduced stress. It achieves this through the development of good coping skills. These habits, in turn, foster body, mind, and spiritual well-being. They give us purpose in the journey of creating meaning. They stand as a higher order vision that inspires us to strive.
Creating a Personal Sense of Meaning and Purpose
Belief systems offer us a framework to understand our personal and external world. It is through our beliefs that we create the very questions surrounding our life and how it unfolds. Questions, like “Why are we here?” or “What is my purpose?” form the very foundation for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. However, it is in answering these questions that we ultimately create inroads for body, mind, and spiritual well-being throughout our lifespan
As Newton’s quote alludes to above, he gave much credence to the higher processing of thought. He developed a habit of honing his attention towards an intelligence above his own. Now, what can you do with focus like that? It may take faith and practice. Yet, with time, it may just lead to higher-order processing. These effects can have real positive consequences at the personal and collective levels of existence.
The Empowering Nature of Faith
Having a belief in one’s purpose is incredibly empowering. The foundation of belief is the ability to cast faith into an image that is not presently apparent. That allows us to create dreams, passions, and goals. Once obtained, these create how our life experiences arise and develop through the lifespan.
So how do we create meaning beyond our mere existence? This is a question where the road of perseverance meets the destination of passion in one’s higher vision. To create meaning and purpose, we need to create a goal. We should also envision its course. Finally, we must tap into one’s internal characteristics and external supports to create its reality.
For Newton, he tapped into faith to understand the heavens. Did he find meaning or purpose? I don’t know. Yet, I believe this to be a collective plight. As one looks back upon the life that was lived, will they find meaning in story they created? We can create a destination from this perspective. We then chart the course of life backward from that point.
Belief and the Amplification of Faith, Hope, and Optimism
A key ingredient for belief is a sense of hope and optimism. Do you want to believe in something that will bring you down? Of course not. That would be masochistic at best. However, how much time do we spend on taking in sources that create anxiety and disbelief?
The Negativity Bias
The negativity bias is a real phenomenon. While a complex phenomenon, it simply shows the gravitation the human psyche undertakes toward negative and not positive news. Yet, its antithesis is found when we engage the tenets of faith, hope, and an optimistic outlook. Belief patterns form the lens from which we view the world. Beliefs form the very cognition by which we cipher information. This, then creates the foundation for how we interact with the world and its participants. As Einstein said,
“The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile
universe.”
Do We Live in a Friendly or Hostile Universe?
Einstein goes on to show the consequences this decision has for the world at large. Its simple context forms the foundation from which humanity needs to understand its personal aims. Humanity must also take into account the collective good. Faith must be present as a primary ingredient for such a task. If the solution to any problem leaves the collective worse off than it was before the problem was solved, maybe we should leave well enough alone. Progress for progress’s stake is a common thread in this line of thought. In the long run, it never works. It must be grounded as it can create worse consequences than the problem it intended to solve. That is the shadow nature what is cast behind the light.
Is the universe hostile? I don’t know. But I can see the light, the hope, and the optimism. I can see these even in times where things may appear dark, bleak, and hopeless. How can we create an amplification of hope and faith in such circumstances? Belief, the creation of direction, and accountability are a few steps needed, yet there is also work to be done.
Can you create faith and hope as a foundation of belief. I would implore you to look at those you love, and use them as a foundation for your village. For, it takes a village to raise a child. Each of us must create a village for the social support we need. We also need connection to realize our potential. Yet, how can we create foundational belief patterns through social connections and support systems. Let us explore how our willingness to love our neighbors can create and amplify social relationships through communal belief systems. Let us explore how this simple willingness to love can nurture personal beliefs to assume an attitude towards personal growth, and well-being.
Belief in Social Connection and Support
In this section, I will explore what I am most familiar with. Each religion has its own nuances, and I will not profess to assume that I know those from even a psychological level. What follow is a Christian explanation of the power belief, faith, and love can have on building social connection and support.
What is God’s greatest gift?
For Christian’s, God’s greatest gift was giving his only son. This was done so that humanity would not perish under the weight of original sin.
For God so loved the world that he gave* his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.
Jesus died to save humanity from the weight of original sin. He also left a clear road-map for others to pursue a life well-lived.
Love is the law professed in Corinthians. Through love, we learn to believe. When we believe, we hone the ability to practice patience and find kindness. By exercising good faith and will towards our family and neighbors alike, we find community centered around good-will.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, 5 it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, 6 it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
While love is present in all areas, Jesus notes the fundamental process that love plays in the Greatest Commandment.
28 One of the scribes, when he came forward and heard them disputing and saw how well he had answered them, asked him, “Which is the first of all the commandments?” 29 Jesus replied, “The first is this: ‘Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! 30 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Aspiring Truths and Finding Belief
How do we find solace, in what at times seems an inconsolable world? Love thy neighbor, and love God. You see, we are social beings. Like a tree, at a psychological level, we aspire to our life-giving force. For the tree, it is the sun. However, when we analyze humanity, we may ask if humanity strives towards its parents, at least from a psychological level. Are they not the life-giving force of the child.
We may be pulled to initially move in this direction. However, I do not believe a tree strives to overtake its parentage. I also do not believe a child’s only destination is to overtake or do better than their parents did. While that is part of our maturation journey, are our dreams not independent entities? Do they take on their own life? Are they not separate from the learning and experiences our parents have given us?
Of course they do and are separate entities. They don’t exist yet. It is up to us to create their reality. As one determines a direction, we inevitably are exposed to others traversing the same path. What a beautiful concept. A community of people. You see, community creates interpersonal development through honing intrapersonal skills. What areas do you aspire to find truth? Your community can help find and achieve that direction. However, it is imperative to chose and chose wisely.
Community as a Reflection of Self
Your community is a reflection of you. It also holds within it the capacity to make or break your physical, emotional, and spiritual essence. Choose your community and choose wisely. The consequences can have greater consequences than are immediately intended.
To find truth, find a community. But also find one that holds higher truths. Avoid teachings or day-to-day distractions paid for by those trying to manipulate the collective lack of attention span. You see, your community can weigh you down or prompt you forward. Do you want a quick litmus test? Just ask yourself: Does the community I am part of bring joyous feelings into my life? Or does it create stress, weighted feelings of guilt, or despair? If you answer this with the former, it may just be a community to keep. If you feel worse off, guilty, or weighed down by your community, maybe you need to find a different community. Choose one based on hope. It should focus on the ability to overcome obstacles. Avoid a community rooted in despair and giving into the negativity bias so consistently present in society today.
Final Blessings
I wish you, my readers luck, in your endeavors to create a sense of meaning and purpose. May your inner most beliefs and faith find you on your journey to create a positive community for your life. Make sure the community you partake leaves you with more positive feelings than negative ones. Remember, we are a reflection of the company we keep. As always, my friends, may blessings find you my friends as you learn to envision your journey forward. Remember, to always chart a course. Without one, it is easy to get lost in the woods. And as always, Advance Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams.
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