Mastering Core Beliefs with Critical Thinking

5 Essential Points For Mastering Core Beliefs

Be aware of generalizations
Remember – each belief leads to a certain conclusion
Beliefs are never true themselves, just an interpretation of what's true
Your beliefs are not YOU
Most of us act like our beliefs do define who we are — that doesn't have to be the case

Our beliefs are like the cars that we drive through life in. Sometimes we forget that we can step out of the car and into a new one to get to our destination faster.

Like getting used to driving the same car, using the same beliefs is comfortable. But it's important to note that beliefs are never true — just close representations of what is true (and not all of them represent the real truth).

Sharpening Your Discernment

Mastering Your Core Beliefs Rather Than Letting Your Beliefs Master You

The 5 Question Test

Q1. Have I used the word "NEVER" "ALWAYS" or "EVERYONE" in a sentence?

Generalizations are almost never true and just end up being a comfort blanket to avoid facing the truth. To avoid them — segment the belief into the following factors:

Even though it doesn't seem probable now, can I find an exception when this has happened once before?
It feels like this happens over and over all the time, but is there a time when this hasn't happened?
Is there someone who this belief isn't applicable to? (If the answer to this question is 'No' then): How can I know for sure?

Q2. Each conclusion is built on adjoining arguments and most of the time not all of those arguments lead to the same single conclusion.

If You Make a conclusion such as "I feel abc" or "I am abc" then look at each of the foundations (or arguments) that lead to that conclusion. For example a person who is Christian might state:

I believe I am Christian because that's who I was brought up as
Because that's what I was taught in school
Because I agree with Christian beliefs

Then look for other arguments that might be present:

I believe I am a Christian because I feel like I have to maintain the tradition
It just makes sense
I'm afraid of going to hell

Now it's a matter of weighing up the arguments and determining whether the conclusion is a true belief. Remember no belief can be 100% true but some beliefs can be 99% congruent with who a person is and some can be just 60% congruent.

Q3. Can I determine which truth this belief is referencing?

Beliefs are not True – beliefs are things that point to truth and reference truth. I might believe that tomorrow the sun will rise, but that's not true, that's a belief based on the experience I had for the previous 23 Years when the sun has in fact risen.

Consider whether the belief is referencing a truth or whether it's just referencing another social belief, traditional belief or cultural belief.

Q4. How is this belief benefiting me?

Beliefs are not us, beliefs are aspects we use to express ourselves. Being mere tools for expression, we ought to use them in their most beneficial form.

Consider "what am I getting on an emotional level out of having this belief"?

Q5. How does this belief define the self-image I present to others?

If two people walk up to each other one of them might start talking: "what is Your Name?" then the next question is "what do You Do?"

"Great. Now I've Put You into a nice and organized box."

Being human we can't help but use our own beliefs to decide on how we're going to perceive others. This ranges from their appearance to their choice of career. In fact after all that filtering happens I'm not sure if there is more than 0.1% of the "True Person" that we're able to see remaining.

So that leads us to this final question:

Considering how I present who I am through appearance, career, political beliefs and general worldviews what am I attempting to tell people about who I am?

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