Be Careful What You Believe

How does one simple word contain so much meaning, hold so much energy, and carry such weight with it?

What does it mean to believe, in something, in someone?

We live in a world where there is so much confusion and manipulation, and where lying is expected, accepted, and minimized. What happened to the pursuit of truth? What is Truth anyway? Is it Your truth? My truth? We all have our own version of the truth these days.

I used to believe in many things. I was certain my beliefs were the right ones until one day they started to crash down, little by little, until I was left with a shattered mess of broken beliefs unaware of what to do next. Who was I if I wasn’t my beliefs?

This is no easy place to land. In fact, it’s downright scary and isolating. Yet I have found that during this time period of broken beliefs, I was able to go deep inside and begin the humbling process of looking at my shadow, understanding myself more deeply, and rebuilding a more authentic version of me.

We live in a world of identity and opinions, yet the more we attach to these the harder it becomes to see the connection we have to others that may look, think, act, or believe differently than we do.

The practice of kundalini yoga teaches the mantra of Sat Nam. Sat means Truth or the reality of one’s existence, and Nam means Identity. When we are born into the physical body, we develop an ego through which the mind’s constant processing creates our identity through attachments to objects, feelings, thoughts, and, yes, our beliefs.

But the ego is limited. It forces us to base our identity on our finite understanding of this three-dimensional reality. Sat Nam is a reminder that we are, instead, Infinite — an energy that existed before we incarnated. And it’s an opportunity to recognize that we are more than our limited understanding of our identities. Our True Self (Sat Nam) is that infinite soul that is connected to the ALL that is, to the Universe, to GOD, and that includes all other human beings.

Does this mean I detach from all my beliefs? I don’t think so. But I work hard to refine my beliefs and challenge myself every day to live them out.

And what DO I believe in? What is My Truth? I believe we are all one. I believe in the power and sovereignty of the human soul. I believe we are creators, not victims. I believe we should love our neighbor as ourselves and treat others the way we want to be treated. I believe we are meant to give and receive love. And to activate our unique soul’s gifts which inherently center around service to others.

So, during this time of great change, when some are angry, others are joyful and most of us are in fear, I choose love, I choose to not be pulled into polarity. I choose to recognize that the other is me. I choose being curious over being right. And I choose to trust that love will always cast out fear.

Sat Nam.