Beliefs & Vikalpas

Vocabulary

belief, cognitive bias, core belief, vikalpa

We thank yoga teacher Diana Benigno for research and writing contributions.

1. BELIEF – A strongly held thought, an acceptance, trust, confidence, or conviction in the validity of something
2. COGNITIVE BIAS – Common thinking errors that focus on various and particular negative perspectives
3. CORE BELIEF – Beliefs that are particularly deeply held, “firmly embedded in our thinking” and significant in their effect on our reality and behavior; limiting core beliefs were formed as a child or as the result of trauma to help us make sense of experiences out of our control
4. “VIKALPA” – Negative beliefs or patterns of thought that color our worldview and separate us from our Higher Self; similar to the term, “limiting belief”

What is a Belief?

A Belief is a Thought

A belief is “mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something.” (dictionary)

Our beliefs feel to us as if they are a mirror of the world, our interpretation from observing things the way they are. But quantum physics and experience teach us that “reality” encompasses infinite possibilities and that out beliefs, therefore, are more accurately described as an idea or a story we tell ourselves. Our beliefs often describe “a cause-and-effect chain” of how we think the world works. (See more in the quote below.)

In short, a belief is a strongly held thought. It is an acceptance, trust, confidence, or conviction in the validity of something. It’s a proposition that we accept as representing the way the world actually is.

Our Beliefs Become Our Lens of Perception

Beliefs become the perceptual lens though which we filter experience and information.

We naturally notice evidence that supports the belief, often making us think that we actually “know” or can “prove” the truth of our belief when in fact, beliefs are perspectives, which are not universal.

Beliefs can have various outcomes: they can help us to accept the unknown, or they can limit potential and cause pain.

BELIEFS MATTER!

In my experience, what you believe is far more important than what others might convince you as being true. When I was sick, I was stuck in the middle of two truths. While going through conventional medicine, the holistic healing practitioners I had also been seeing believed I was committing suicide. However, when I immersed myself in the holistic approach, my medical doctors believed I was killing myself by giving up on the medical approach. Hearing these two different ‘truths’ had me constantly worrying that I was making the wrong choice. Meanwhile, I became sicker and sicker – mostly from the stress and fear of not knowing which choice to make! I eventually got so sick that I died… While I was on the other side I learned that it wasn’t that either practice was objectionably the correct choice. In the end, the only thing that mattered were MY beliefs about what was good for my body. I needed to believe that I was doing the right thing, that my body was strong and that I was on the right path.

… Belief seems to be what shapes your truth. It doesn’t matter what type of treatment we do or refuse to do, it’s about believing in the power of our bodies, believing we have purpose, and having a passion for our lives. In other words… your beliefs are what shapes your truth! – Anita Moorjani

STORY IN YOUR HEAD WITH A CAUSE-AND-EFFECT CHAIN

“A belief is a story in your head, a cause-and-effect chain, like a recipe or rule for action. The basic recipe looks like this: If you have a need, then look for a belief that provides a rule for action to get the result you want.”(1) If you feel lonely (need), then seek company (belief). If you follow this belief, go hang out with a friend (action) and feel less lonely (result), then your belief has been validated. – Olga Kabel 

BELIEFS ARE IDEAS THAT CAN SHIELD THE TRUTH

Most people do not recognize that the beliefs that bind them to their version of reality are simply ideas and that these ideas could shield them from truth. – Paul Marko Ph.D.

BELIEFS BECOME THE LENS THROUGH WHICH WE FILTER EXPERIENCE & INFORMATION

If I perceive myself as not good enough, stupid, intelligent, ugly, annoying, gorgeous, slim, or fat, that’s not the absolute truth; it’s just what I believe to be right. That’s nothing but thought, a representation of my opinion of who I am. The same thing is valid when I let people tell me what they think about me. In reality, I am as I am. What people see in me is a matter of self-perception, filtered through their own lenses, and it has nothing to do with me. Take beauty, for example. It’s a norm. In the Eastern-European culture that raised me, beautiful generally associates with being slim, so some people could think I am overweight. However, during my trip in India years ago, I was suggested to gain some weight. – Sara Fabian