Belief

2023, May, Issue 46

If you’ve been reading all of my newsletters, you may have noticed that I discuss belief here and there.  It’s an important subject, if you wish to open your heart and mind to the ineffable.  When we awaken, or when we die, for that matter, it becomes obvious that all our beliefs amounted to nothing whatsoever.  The ineffable reality we face is so far beyond anything that we can believe that it cannot be held by belief.

Now, I prefer to approach this subject with a light touch.  It’s not that I don’t think it is tremendously important to get beyond belief, it’s because I know how much belief is held as something precious.  It can be rather uncomfortable to let go of belief, and it does absolutely no good to anyone, if it is too soon.  We need to prepare for something like this.

One of my friends who had an NDE, was rather adamant in his insistence that belief is nothing more than a lie.  I understood why he said that, and why it was his primary message.  He wanted people to see what he had seen, to get past the obstacles created by belief.  His approach was blunt, and I know he helped people by getting to the point.  His legacy is that he made an indelible point that is not easily forgotten.  People will awaken because of him.

Here is the point, when you die.  When we die, all our filters disappear.  All the things we have hidden become eternally exposed and open.  Belief becomes instantly irrelevant.  Self becomes irrelevant.  What we thought had been separate is no longer apart.  That amazing bright light becomes more than anything belief can ever capture or contain.  We are that.

Here in this dull dark realm, this tiny universe in a dark corner of existence, belief contains us.  It shields us from who we are.  It prevents us from directly experiencing the ineffable condition that surrounds us.  It really is a lie that keeps us from knowing what is, as it is.

That being said, I want you to hold onto your beliefs for the time-being.  Savor them for a time, before you even consider letting them go.  Really examine all the things that you believe.  Have great compassion for yourself, when you see that belief, and this belief, all the beliefs you tell yourself in order to get through the day.  It’s pretty magical, when you go easy on yourself in this way, when you examine without judgement or angst.

When you finally aspire to awaken, having carefully examined all of your beliefs, it will be okay when you know it’s time to let those beliefs simply drift away.  You will have great compassion for yourself and others, knowing full-well that beliefs have been your cage. 

This self cultivated ego with that cage that was constructed entirely out of beliefs.  This cage that held you is seen as it is.  These limitations, it can be observed, were fabricated out of nothing whatsoever.  If you have generated compassion for yourself, then you understand why you held beliefs in the first place.  There is no room for judgement when we see ourselves as we are.  It simply is, as it is, when we are confused and constrained by this dark corner of existence.

Gather all that you know,

Learn all that can be known,

See quite clearly,

Hear your own voice,

Experience your mind,

Let go, let all that go;

Rest in eternal knowing,

Directly experiencing suchness,

Know that you know deeply, as it is,

Deep within you know, you know,

You know that ineffable light,

Without belief, without yearning,

You know, as it is, as you feel,

Even though you thought you

Didn’t know, you knew

From the very beginning,

You knew what is, as it is,

Without belief, beyond belief,

As it is, as it is, as it is.

Blessings in Light,

Robert Aho