False Comfort Can Be OK Too
Some of the things that I believe in might sound bizarre to other people. For instance, I think that we all have a path in life and we need to find this in order to feel satisfied. It is like how flowing water needs to find the path of least resistance; I believe that humans are just the same. Now if you asked me to back up my beliefs with scientific research I’d be at a loss, but this does not matter to me at all.
I use the word ‘believe’ here in a loose sense. I’m not concerned with ultimate truths because they are unknowable. I could well be wrong in my views, but so could anyone else. I am more interested in what works in my life. These ideas are my approach to life – my modus operandi if you prefer fancy language. I don’t feel the need to convince anyone else of my beliefs, but I do like to share them. I feel that the most dangerous human is the one who thinks they know what is best for other people. I don’t do that.
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I also like keeping an open mind about everything; life is more fun that way. The individuals who I most admire have a playful innocence about life. They don’t claim to have all the answers and they don’t rule anything out. For all we know this could all be a dream. Those who think they have all the answers are just deluded. The best anyone can do is guess and even science is guess work when we don’t know what it is we are testing.
I don’t really believe in magic; I’m agnostic about it. My natural reaction is to dismiss it, but who knows? There are many folk here in Thailand who believe in ghosts and magic, and so I give them the benefit of the doubt. I don’t want to be one of those people who just dismiss other people’s beliefs as stupid. Everyone is just guessing so who am I to judge?
I suspect that in the future my beliefs will change. I think this is natural. Maybe one day my ideas about paths will sound a bit like tree-hugging hippy nonsense. I do hope that I always keep an open mind about life though. I like the school of Zen where the object is to just acknowledge, “don’t know” to everything. This sounds like a good recipe for avoiding dogmatism and arrogance.
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During my few years working as a nurse I learnt a lot. I spent a bit of time in palliative care. This meant that I saw a lot of people die. People approached death in different ways. Some had strong religious beliefs and this saw them through. Others got comfort from the idea of stepping into the unknown. Even though I’m philosophically a bit of a Buddhist I’m not a religious person. I find comfort in the idea that death is a step into the unknown. Those who are convinced that there is nothing after death won’t ever get to enjoy being right. I keep an open mind because after all, who knows?
I’m not really sure if what I’m saying here will make sense to other people. Maybe I’m just waffling. I’ll post it anyway and look forward to any comments.
Definitely waffling. But some damn good waffling and we all need to do it sometimes. I do agree I felt a lot like that at times, too. People who think they know everything know nothing, and people who know nothing, know everything – that was a little thing I used to think of, like trying to create one of those counter-intuitive quotes; probably a load of nonsense, but like you said . . to each their own
Thanks for the post.
Thanks Ray, I’m glad my rambling made at least a bit of sense.
maybe one guys magic is another guys reality?
Wise words there Tom
Paul after a good few beers, some Regency whiskey and coke, plus a good damn downpour of rain which has failed to remove the intense humidity, do I really need to read such a thought provoking post such as yours. Inspiring stuff.
I think your work as a nurse and it’s inevitable dealings with death may have channelled your thoughts toward your views on the after life.
I’m still sat on life’s fence of superstition and after life, and that’s where I’m going to stay sat until, or if, something dramatically changes my views. I don’t knock superstition but its strange practices fail to shock me either.
Hi Martyn, watching many people deal with death is life changing. It has made me more aware of how we have to make the most of what we have. It has also taught me the importance of preparing for death by not having any regrets. I was always a bit of a soul searcher, but my time as a nurse increased this.
I’m sitting with Martyn on the fence. I’d like to beleive, but would also like to see some sort of ‘sign’ for myself. Having said that, I think there are too many unexplained events in this world of ours to discount the possibilies.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Snap, I’m not completely convinced by anything, but as you suggest it is best to keep an open mind about it.
Hi Paul, an interesting post.
I believe in things for which there is at least some evidence – hence my lack of interest in the 3 (or is it 1) middle eastern monotheisms, and my preference for the theory of evolution and buddhist meditation.
I’m from London, though I’ve lived and worked in many countries. I’ve been living in a remote part of Thailand for a while and my experiences here have absolutely convinced me of the existence of the spirit world (ie the world ‘after death’). By the way these were not spooky events but took place in the light of day and treated as normal occurrences by the people in the village who participated – so much so that some of those present preferred to watch tv or talk on their mobiles!
I agree we have paths in life – but not just one, take care, Pat
Hi Pat, I’m yet to be swayed by evidence of Thai ghosts, but I keep my mind open about it. I like what John Lennon once said, “I believe in everything until it is disproven. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons… “.
Hi Paul, thanks for yr reply. Rural Thailand (and Laos) is a fascinating place for me. To put it in perspective, I have seen things here that we forgot a long time ago (maybe 500 years) in Europe regarding spirits; but this does not mean I am living with ‘primitives’ – my Thai gf is a lawyer, hard-headed, and making far more money than the average UK salary. The really weird thing for me as a European is that what we may regard as ‘occult’ is daily life here (in my village) and I’ve seen it too many times to doubt it. Btw John Lennon is a great, truly great, spirit, and a rhetorician without comparison; I also love Stevie Wonder … “when you believe in things that you don’t understand … then you suffer…superstition ain’t the way”. Cheers Pat
Paul, I think you made perfect sense. Watching both of my parents die in home hospice I took away a very high regard for the nurses who choose to help people pass on….it takes a very special person to be able to do this.
Like you I’m not religious really…I like certain aspects of Buddhism but for the most part I don’t believe all the fairy tales but I still look to the night sky filled with stars and know there has to be more…belief can take many forms and sometimes it catches you at the strangest moments.
Hi Talen, it is this personal connection (or impersonal) that we can sometimes get with the universe that is the most important thing. It probably has more value than the religion or belief system we follow. The Buddha claimed that his teachings were like a finger pointing at the moon; we shouldn’t get too focused on just the finger.
Oi! I wonder what this says about me? I believe in everything. Is it possible to have too much of an open mind? Or is this similar to what you were saying?
I see it as bit like cafeteria religion…I take what looks good as I slide my tray along. I mean, I can have a taste when I sit down and if I don’t like it, I just don’t eat it.
Hi Lani, I am a huge advocate of the open-minded approach. There are ideas that are more attractive to me than others, but I try not to totally reject anyone’s beliefs. We seem to be living in a time where dogmatism is on the rise, but I try not to be carried away by the current zeitgeist.