Limiting Beliefs

I'm currently reading a book published in 1996 entitled, "Tying Rocks to Clouds," by William Elliott. Its contents include interviews with people (Mother Teresa, Dalai Lama, Jean Houston, etc.) the author sought out to answer his primary question: What is the meaning of life? Each interview is compelling in its own way, but one response by Toni Packer gave me pause:

Q: "On what belief do you base your life?"
A: "I don't base my life on any belief."

As I contemplated her answer, it led me to questions. We are, hopefully, always in a process of defining who we know ourselves to be or choose to be; but, what if instead of basing this on beliefs, we chose to define ourselves with authentic head and heart alignment in every moment?

What would life be like if for one day, we suspended the need to hold beliefs and agreed to just be, to observe, and reflect on and decide who we want to be in relationship to the dynamic of each interaction and thought? How present would we be? What if wondering about the meaning of life or what our purpose is actually acts upon our lives like throwing sticks into a stream at its narrowest point? What if wondering about these questions is actually a response to a fear rather than an act of embracing and working with What Is? If we follow our heart (in alignment with our head), how can we not be on purpose or live deliberately?

When someone asks us what our belief system is and we answer, "I'm a CLQ," we have described the box we wish to be placed in and how we want to be labeled, viewed, and treated. The moment a person who practices an "ism" (or culture, job, etc.) says that's what they are, they have stated what they are attached to, not who they are at their deepest or highest level.

We strive to say things like I am (fill in the blank), but is there ever a moment when in thought, word, or action, we seem to belie our belief? When that happens, what do we believe then? We humans are masters of self-contradiction while remaining unaware of it; and, we all do it to some extent.

The need to have beliefs is ego-based. That doesn't make it negative, just what it is. Gravity happens whether we believe it does or not. Let me be clear. I don't mean beliefs are bad, but is it necessary to have a commandment that states, "Don't kill," or can we figure that one out for ourselves? Look at all the beliefs and edicts that exist for the many religions on this planet. Most offer guidance for peaceful co-habitation, but are they adhered to more often than not?

Toni Packer also said, "We believe we are separate because we are deceived by our thoughts, images, ideas, ideals, and our own sensations." Do most of the beliefs held by people on Earth join us in our humanity or separate us? If your beliefs help you to be who you choose to be, then that's probably a good thing. If they don't...

In life coach training, we learn how to help clients recognize and eliminate limiting beliefs. But what if we gave some thought to limiting our beliefs...and accepted we are, first, all human? I wonder where we would go from there?