Today’s affirmation is:
“I question assumptions and long-held beliefs to discover new and beneficial ways to live.”
If we are to have change in the world or in our lives, we must learn to question. Questioning is difficult. The group does not like to be questioned. So much so, that in many instances the questioner is ostracized or even put to death. Jesus, Martin Luther King, and Gandhi are all examples of those who challenged the status quo and felt its wrath.
The ego is not much more forgiving. When we challenge its dominance the ego can be nearly as viscious as the group. Stress, depression, and self-destructive behavior are defense mechanisms used by the ego to maintain its control.So, questioning is scary. Nonetheless, a failure to question is an invitation to slavery, tyranny, and unhappiness. We must question so that fresh ideas can be aired and new possibilities created.
Questioning is not the same as not believing. In fact, questioning is really an empowered type of believing that takes belief to a whole new level by verifying it and testing it against reality.Today we have three very short stories. The first two illustrate the trap of failing to question. The final story offers one way to test the validity of our beliefs and assumptions and come out stronger because of it.
The Ham 
There is a story of a woman who was preparing a ham to be baked. Before placing it in the oven, she sliced an inch off the end of the ham.
Her daughter was watching her bake a ham for the first time. She asked, “mom, why did you cut an inch off the end of the ham before you placed it in the oven?”
“I don’t know,” replied the mother, “my mother always cut an inch off a ham before she put it in the oven.”
Curious, the mother picked up the phone and called the grandmother to ask why she cut the end off a ham before baking it.
The grandmother answered that she had no idea why she cut the end off hams before baking them. “My mother always did it,” she said.
Finally, the mother and the grandmother got the great-grandmother on the phone. The grandmother asked, “Mom, why did you cut an inch off the end of the ham before placing it in the oven?”
The great-grandmother replied, “I cut the end off the ham because my oven was too small to fit a full ham.”
We learn by watching and absorbing the thoughts, actions, and beliefs of those around us. Often we don’t even stop to question them. Two generations of this family always cut off the end of the ham. They never quetioned it. They did it because they had seen their mothers do it.
Nothing changed until the great-grandaughter finally asked, “Why?”
Blind Leading the Blind
We have generational blindness leaning on generational blindness.
The Buddha once spoke to a group of young Brahmins (priests) about their “belief” in Brahma (God). “Who among you has personally seen or spoke to Brahma,” asked The Buddha?
The Brahmins answered, “None of us has seen or spoken to Brahma.”
Buddha continued, “Well then, which of your teachers has seen or spoken to Brahma?” Again, the youths answered that none of their teachers had actually seen or spoken to Brahma.
Finally, Buddha asked, “Who in your lineage going back seven generations has seen or spoken to Brahma?” The young Brahmins admitted that no one even going back seven generations had actually seen or spoken to Brahma.
“Then,” said Buddha, “If not you, nor your teachers, nor their teachers going back seven generations has seen or spoken to Brahma, you are but the blind leading the blind.
Buddha was not attacking their beliefs. He was trying to get them to examine their beliefs and ideas and to become a fully awake and responsible human beings.
Challenge Beliefs and Put Them to the Test
During a visit to the town of the Kalamas, the Buddha was asked a crucial question.
“Reverend Gautama, many teachers enter our midst teaching that their way and their way alone is the path to salvation. They extol the virtues of their own doctrines while tearing down the doctrines of other teachers. This creates doubt in our minds about all their teachings. For how are we to know which speaks the truth and which speaks falsehood?”
Buddha replied, “Kalamas, you have doubt in circumstances where doubt is understandable. Where doubt thrives uncertainty is born.” The Buddha proposed a test against which to measure any teaching including his own.
- Do not believe something because it has been passed down and believed for many generations.
- Do not believe something merely because it is a traditional practice.
- Do not believe something because everyone believes it.
- Do not believe something because it is written in a book and has been recited over and over.
- Do not believe something solely on the grounds of logical reasoning.
- Do not believe something because it fits your preconceived notions.
- Do not believe something because you trust who is saying it.
- Do not believe something only because your teacher says it is so.
“Kalamas, when you yourselves know directly something is unskillful, unwholesome, blameworthy, rejected by the wise, harmful to yourselves or others, leads to poverty or unhappiness, you should give it up.”
“One the other hand, Kalamas, when you know directly that something is skilled, wholesome, blameless, praised by the wise, and leads to well-being, prosperity, and happiness, you should accept it and practice it.”
We all need to examine the beliefs that are driving our actions in this world. When we look at the state of the world we must conclude that there is more each of us can do to make a difference. It all begins with questioning age-old beliefs. Even beliefs based in truth can become clouded by generations of unexamined hatreds, fears, and prejudices.
Every change, personal or global, begins with the courage to question.
Be peaceful Be prosperous!
Ray
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What Ray’s reading right now:
How you see the world is really a matter of perspective. Your absolute conviction in the truth as you see it, can be absolutely rejected by the next person with the same absolute conviction. When these views collide conflict often ensues. That is, when we insist upon our way or no way.
What Ray’s reading right now:
Jesus stands alone in human history in one indisputable regard. An overwhelming majority of the human population reveres him in one way or another. For many, he is their lord and savior. For at least as many others, he is considered a great teacher or prophet. He is nearly universally accepted as one of great teachers.
Matthew 17:19-20
Are The Beatitudes Realistic in Our Modern World? – The Affirmation Spot for Thursday January 31, 2008
January 31, 2008 — Ray DavisRay’s Daily Affirmation:
“God’s love flows through my entire being each and every moment all day long.”
(Download this or 100s of other mp3 affirmations at The Affirmation Spot)
Scholars generally regard the statements as spiritual assurances of reward for those who suffer for their faith in this life. However, I believe they represent far more than that. Clearly, Jesus believed the characteristics he describes are the hallmarks of a spiritual and happy person. I concur.
2000 years later they remain a measuring stick by which we can evaluate our own development as people.
Do we bless and encourage the attributes described by Jesus? Do we encourage our children to embody these values? How about those we place in positions of authority over us? Do they bless and promote these values? Or, do they exhibit behaviors that are the polar opposite?
Do we too much extol the virtue of the warrior and deride the peacemaker? Do we thirst for justice or have we become content with a comfortable corruption? Do we comfort all who mourn or only those on our side? Have we so divided the world into “us” and “them” that mercy is no longer an option? Do we see these ideas and the people who promote them as weak and unrealistic?
Are they just nice words or are they traits we should seek to develop in ourselves and our children? Do we mean to create a society based on these ideals or continue to be led down paths going the other direction? These concepts are grounded in love while hate, anger, and fear are the engines driving our world today.
I am not here today to answer these questions for you or for our society. I am simply asking the questions.
However, I will offer this. Whether you are a Christian, a spiritual seeker, or just someone trying to see the world in a more positive and hopeful way, the logic and compassion of these virtues is inescapable.
Many earnestly believe in these words, but have been taught that such a world is not and will not be possible. To them, I suggest that as long as you hold that mindset; you are correct. But the moment enough of us are willing to release that mental block, a whole new world is born.
Just as people must grow and grow up societies must do the same. The opportunities are there for us every day. The question is only whether we will choose a new course or remain on our present one.
Here are Jesus’ words. As you read them, consider, for at least one moment, what the world can be instead of just what it is today.
Follow your bliss! Experience your bliss! Become your bliss!
Ray
Ray Davis is the Founder of The Affirmation Spot and focuses on empowering minds to think positively, achieve goals, and live dreams. He is author of the ebook The Power to Be You and the forthcoming The Power to Be You 2.
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