My principles, ideologies and beliefs have changed over the years. This used to concern me. How could I change core beliefs? This would mean acknowledging that something I firmly believed in previously was now wrong. For years I resisted changing my beliefs. It was comforting to find a belief system and wallow in it’s welcoming wooliness.

In late 2006 I stumbled across a tiny bookstore in Bangkok called Aporia Books at 131 Tanao Road (road that runs at ‘T’ junction with Khaosan Road. The eclectic range of books is superb, and I’ve been back many times since.

Anyhow, it was there that I first stumbled across Ken Wilber. After reading many of his books, I can now accept that changing beliefs is part of the process of human development. Using Graves’ terminology, I am now at Stage 7: the Yellow, or Integrative Stage. But let’s see what that means…

Belief # 1: No Absolutes

My first belief is that there are no absolutes. Everything is relative.

This was one of the most difficult concepts for me to accept: I can see only the world I think is there. What if my mind is merely a “viewing hole” that only opens so wide? It would determine not only how much of the world I can take in, but also which of all possible “worlds” I could allow myself to see.

As I spent more and more time in the East, I noticed that customs accepted as moral (or neutral) in the West, were highly immoral in the East. Similarly, some Eastern cultures have beliefs and traditions which in the West would be considered highly immoral. Who was correct?

This meant that there is no Right and Wrong, another concept I found very difficult to accept initially. As Neale Donald Walsch says, “Rightness” or “Wrongness” is not an intrinsic condition, it is a subjective judgment in a personal value system.

I fully understand that this might be inconceivable for some. Let me say this: to live your life without expectation - without the need for specific results - that is freedom. That is Godliness. My sincere hope is that you won’t simply discard this concept, or reject everything else here because of this rather extreme belief. Spend time exploring this site, and see whether this might not be a more liberating belief than those we are typically forced to accept.

Belief # 2: All Religions are Simultaneously “Right” and “Wrong”

I thought that might get your attention.

The Catholic theologian Karl Rahner famously said “the Christian of tomorrow will be a mystic, or not a Christian at all.”

All formalised religions are a necessary stage in the development of the human psyche. They allow us to believe in something greater than ourselves. However, religion is a business, and every religion has a vested interest in ensuring you don’t move on to another belief system. They will lose your custom, your money. Much the same as retail stores have loyalty cards, religions have created belief structures designed to ensure your loyalty i.e. fear.

True development only occurs once religion has been embraced, and then transcended to true spirituality. In my mind, the progression is as follows:

1. No awareness of religion or spirituality (as a young child)
2. Acceptance of and involvement in (any) religion
3. Awareness of other religions
4. Embracing and acceptance of all religions
5. Discarding of all religions
6. Transcendence to spirituality

So, I do not believe any one religion is better than another. There is no “Wrong” religion and no “Right” religion. In many cases your choice of religion will be based on arbitrary factors like geography and history. Meaning: Religions of the first century are no longer available to us in the 21st century and Western religions are not available to Chinese villagers in remote mountain tops.

Simultaneously, it is counter-productive to remain in any religion permanently, much the same as you would never allow your child to remain in kindergarten indefinitely. The trick is not rejection of religion, but inclusion and transcendence.

Belief # 3: Love is a Trap

By that I mean the commonly accepted notions of love, sexuality and relationships in the 21st Century.

The purpose of a (romantic) relationship is not to have another who might complete you; but to have another with whom you might share your completeness. A meaningful relationship is one in which both partners acknowledge their independence and simultaneous desire to celebrate their independence together.

Belief # 4: Everything is Connected

The typical view of the world is to compartmentalise everything: Science is Science, Religion is Religion, Sex is Sex. As a result, when we have a problem in one area of our life, we seldom think of looking at a separate but unknowingly related area. As an example, an overweight person will move from one fad diet to another, never achieving the weight loss they desire because of a myriad other reasons:

1. Sexual frustration
2. Lack of fulfillment
3. Poorly defined spirituality, etc.

By looking at every aspect of their life (not only diet), the overweight person is better able to address their weight.

In “How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci“, Michael Gelb defines the concept of Connessione as, “A recognition of and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena. Systems thinking.” (p. 220)

Ken Wilber’s entire philosophy is based on this tenet. He states that an Integral Vision invites us to be a little more whole, a little less fragmented in our work, our lives, our destiny.

The implications of this are profound, and will be the topic of another post.

Earlier Beliefs

For the sake of completeness, I include below the beliefs I’ve held at various stages of my life. In hindsight, it is interesting for me to see how I was progressing through the Stages of Human Development, without even knowing it.

Teens

Apart from the usual confusion of teenager years, I had very strong Christian beliefs. Was brought up in a Baptist environment, and threw all my efforts into supporting the local church.

Equivalent to Graves’ Stage 4: Blue or Conformist Rule stage.

Twenties

A burning desire to question everything. Started diving into conspiracy theories. Gave up on Christianity when church leaders couldn’t answer my questions. Challenged authority of all forms and frequently landed in hot water by doing stupid things (and being caught).

Highly ambitious and worked long hours, believing that the corporate world was the way to make my mark and establish a ‘presence’.

Equivalent to Graves’ Stage 5: Orange or Scientific Achievement stage.

Thirties

Became disillusioned with the corporate world and ‘retired’ at age 38, intent on never going back.

Established my first website, since I was concerned about the wider community. Theme: conspiracies and the state of the world. Started planning a community which would opt out. Timing wasn’t right, so this effort was shelved.

Equivalent to Graves’ Stage 6: Green or Sensitive Self stage.

Forties

Since I’ve only recently entered this stage, this current post reflects my beliefs in my forties. I look forward to seeing how they change and develop.

Care to share your beliefs?

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Date posted : March 12th, 2007 by Michael Haupt Last Modified : October 24th, 2007 / Filed under : Spirituality, World View / Report a Concern Navigate : Previous post / Next post / Top of Page
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