Beyond Belief
Growing up in a deeply Christian environment, I was surrounded by teachings about God, Jesus, and the Bible. Yet, despite all I learned, something within me felt unsettled by the concept of a single, exclusive truth. Ideas like heaven, hell, sin, and sainthood left me with more questions than answers. I’ve always had a natural curiosity—a desire to question everything and explore beyond the boundaries of what I was taught.
This drive led me on a lifelong journey, a search for “answers” about life, purpose, death, and spirituality. Rather than confining myself to any single belief, I remained open, absorbing insights from every source that resonated: different religions, psychology, philosophy, scientific theories, and the arts. I sought to integrate what made sense to me and let the rest fall away.
Through years of study, exploration, and self-application, I’ve come to a deeper understanding that has shaped how I approach life. Albert Einstein once said, “All religions, arts, and sciences are branches of the same tree.” This idea resonates with me because, after exploring so many paths and perspectives, I’ve found that core truths often overlap. Whether in religion, science, or philosophy, certain universal principles emerge—each offering a unique angle on what it means to live meaningfully.
In this exploration, I’ve found a few essential teachings that, to me, hold immense value for living with self-awareness and intention. Here are the 7 essentials I try to live by:
1. Love is the Foundation
Teaching: The Bible, along with many philosophies, highlights love as the cornerstone of life, calling us to extend compassion both to ourselves and to others.
Reflection: Love is not merely an emotion; it’s a conscious decision and a way of being that roots us in our shared humanity. Across cultures and philosophies, love is revered as a vital energy that connects us with others and with ourselves. In Buddhism, metta, or loving-kindness, begins with oneself and flows outward, while Jesus emphasizes, “Love your neighbor as yourself”, implicitly reminding us that self-love is the foundation upon which all other love rests. Similarly, in Hinduism, the concept of atman, or the soul, encourages us to recognize the divine within ourselves, nurturing a profound respect for our own existence as a reflection of the whole.
Self-love is not selfish; it’s a necessary step in cultivating genuine compassion for others. When we truly value and accept ourselves, we create a stable ground from which we can extend love outward. This means embracing our own imperfections with patience and kindness, as we would for a friend. Psychologist Nathaniel Branden wrote, “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.” This journey of awareness and acceptance creates a ripple effect—when we are gentle with ourselves, we naturally become gentler with others, allowing kindness, patience, and empathy to become second nature.
Love, then, transcends mere feeling. It’s woven into the essence of who we are and how we relate to life itself. When we understand love as a choice and a commitment, we allow it to guide our actions, to help us see the world and others with clear eyes, free from the distortions of anger, resentment, or judgment. Imagine looking at someone and asking, “How can I make their day better?” This simple act of consideration deepens our own self-awareness, reminding us that when we uplift others, we also uplift ourselves.
Love is transformative—it heals, connects, and elevates. In cultivating self-love, we find that kindness, patience, and empathy become second nature, habits that flow effortlessly into our relationships.
2. Crafted By Faith
Teaching: Faith is often described as a deep trust in something greater, beyond our immediate understanding.
Reflection: Faith is about surrendering to life’s flow, trusting that our lives have a rhythm and a purpose, even when it’s hard to see. We are, in essence, infinite beings with the power to create our reality. Our thoughts, beliefs, and energy shape the experiences we attract, inviting us to consider that every event—especially the challenging ones—holds a lesson or a piece of wisdom.
Faith invites us to embrace each experience, to look within, and to find meaning in life’s twists and turns. This doesn’t mean passivity; it’s about releasing the need for control and trusting that things unfold as they should. When we have faith in life itself, we start to see even pain and uncertainty as parts of a larger picture, guiding us toward self-awareness and growth. Each experience becomes an opportunity to reflect, to adapt, and to recognize that we are actively, whether consciously or subconsciously equipped with the power to shape our responses and, ultimately, our reality.
Faith, then, is the art of trusting in this process, allowing life to unfold while knowing we are always in the right place to learn, grow, and manifest the lives we are meant to lead.
3. Forgive & Let Go
Teaching: Forgiveness is a profound act of self-liberation, a gift we extend both to ourselves and to others.
Reflection: Forgiveness is less about condoning actions and more about releasing ourselves from the grip of the past. In both Buddhism and Hinduism, attachment to past hurts is seen as a root of suffering, binding us to cycles of anger and regret that hinder our spiritual growth. When we cling to these memories, we’re often trapped in a reality that no longer exists. As the Buddhist teaching reminds us, “Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”
The concept of time reinforces this: the past is an illusion, something that exists only in memory. True forgiveness, then, is the practice of living fully in the present. It means allowing past wounds to remain in the past, while we turn our focus to the now. Through forgiveness, we stop allowing old hurts to color our current reality, freeing ourselves to experience life with a fresh perspective and a lighter heart.
In forgiving, we’re not only releasing others; we’re unburdening ourselves, creating space for peace and acceptance. This is the path to true liberation—an invitation to embrace each moment as it is, unclouded by the pains of yesterday, and to step into a life where we are free to grow and to simply be.
4. Humility & It’s Power
Teaching: Humility and serving others allow us to connect deeply with our humanity and become part of something greater than ourselves.
Reflection: True humility is not about diminishing our self-worth but about moving beyond the boundaries of self-centeredness. The concept of Anatta (non-self) encourages the dissolution of the ego, recognizing that our attachment to a fixed identity—our “self”—is what often limits us. This path invites us to see ourselves as part of an interconnected whole, where focusing on the well-being of others allows us to transcend the confines of our own needs and desires.
When we serve others with genuine intention, we let go of the constant need to protect, defend, or elevate our own self-image. Service becomes a way to dissolve the ego, a practice of selfless action where our deeds are offered without expectation of reward or recognition. By shifting our attention to others, we cultivate compassion and gratitude, and in doing so, we begin to feel a deeper connection with the world around us.
This humility fosters a mindset where we see ourselves as part of a greater whole, not as individuals striving to stand out, but as beings inherently connected. When we serve, we are reminded that everyone carries burdens, has struggles, and seeks happiness. In choosing humility, we open ourselves to the transformative power of compassion and begin to transcend the “self,” embracing a life where we no longer see others as separate but as reflections of our own journey. Through this, we create a life that is richer, kinder, and more attuned to the profound unity that binds us all.
5. Awareness & Gratitude
Teaching: Prayer, or quiet reflection, becomes a practice of self-awareness, personal insight, and gratitude.
Reflection: In a non-religious sense, prayer can be reimagined as meditation, a time for intentional self-reflection and gratitude—a practice that centers us, aligns our intentions, and reconnects us to what truly matters. In these quiet moments, we find the space to assess our actions, examine our thoughts, and ask ourselves: Am I aligned with the person I wish to become? Reflection invites us to look inward and uncover our motivations, strengths, and areas for growth, creating a clearer path forward. It allows us to ask, What can I improve? Where have I grown?
Adding gratitude to this practice elevates it further. By taking a moment to recognize and appreciate what we have—our experiences, our relationships, and even our challenges—we shift our focus from what we lack to what we hold. Gratitude transforms reflection into a tool not only for self-awareness but also for fulfillment, grounding us in the present and helping us appreciate the richness of each day. In this state of thankfulness, we recognize that every moment holds something to learn or appreciate, guiding us to act with a greater sense of purpose and presence.
Self-awareness, when combined with gratitude, fosters a mindfulness that ripples outward into our relationships. We become more thoughtful in our decisions, better at seeing our impact on others, and less inclined to react impulsively. In understanding ourselves, we also grow more empathetic and understanding of others, realizing that we all walk our own paths, often carrying burdens unseen. This insight enables us to approach others with patience and compassion, knowing that the kindness we show to them is ultimately kindness to ourselves.
6. Embrace Life and Death
Teaching: The mystery of eternal life offers comfort and perspective, whether understood through religion or science.
Reflection: The concept of eternal life need not be limited to traditional beliefs; it is a notion that resonates across cultures, religions, and even science. Death, in this light, is not an end but a transition—a gateway to something beyond our physical experience. We are, in essence, infinite beings. From a scientific perspective, energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed, suggesting that our consciousness or essence may continue in some form, whether as energy, a part of a collective consciousness, or even through reincarnation.
In contemplating this, we begin to view death as a natural part of being alive, a reminder that life itself is precious because it is fleeting. This perspective allows us to live fully, without fear, and to recognize that each experience contributes to our growth. Like the story of The Egg, we might consider that each life is a step toward evolving into a higher being, with each challenge, joy, and sorrow serving to shape us into a more compassionate, wise, and connected soul. Perhaps we are here to become better, to move closer to enlightenment or unity, growing in understanding and empathy.
This idea of eternity also invites us to release our tight grip on life, freeing ourselves from the anxiety of holding on too tightly. If we truly believe that our essence endures, we can cherish each moment without fear of what comes next. Death becomes not a finale but a chapter, a continuation of a larger, infinite journey. Embracing this concept encourages us to live meaningfully, to focus on kindness, growth, and the legacy of compassion we leave behind.
Ultimately, whether we view it spiritually or scientifically, eternity offers us peace and purpose. We are reminded to live in a way that honors the present, aware that each choice contributes to the evolution of our soul. In this way, life becomes a beautiful cycle—a journey of infinite potential where every experience is a step toward becoming something greater, leaving a legacy that transcends time and echoes into eternity.
7. Pursue Knowledge and Wisdom
Teaching: Wisdom is a lifelong journey, urging us to remain curious and open to new ideas and perspectives.
Reflection: Wisdom is more than simply accumulating knowledge—it’s the art of applying our understanding to live with purpose, openness, and humility. The pursuit of wisdom requires an acknowledgment that we’ll never hold all the answers, and in fact, we should embrace that mystery as part of the journey. Socrates famously said, “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” This mindset is the foundation of growth, a reminder that we must stay curious, questioning, and open to learning if we are to truly evolve.
Being on a constant path of learning means actively seeking new perspectives, ideas, and experiences, not settling into complacency. Einstein once remarked, “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” When we remain curious, we cultivate a mindset that keeps us grounded and humble, allowing us to approach life as a student rather than an expert. This openness leads us to explore different perspectives, even those that may challenge our own, fostering a richer understanding of the world.
Curiosity is also essential for building empathy and understanding in a world full of diverse viewpoints. Embracing that others may hold perspectives different from ours does not diminish our own beliefs; instead, it broadens our horizons and offers new layers of insight. When we allow ourselves to truly listen and learn from others, we enrich our own wisdom and deepen our connection to those around us.
Ultimately, the pursuit of wisdom is an ongoing cycle of curiosity, openness, and adaptability. It requires that we remain willing to question our assumptions, seek knowledge from unlikely places, and accept that we may never fully “arrive.” In this constant pursuit, we find a deeper sense of purpose, realizing that learning itself is a path to fulfillment.
Carl Sagan said “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.”
Conclusion
Years of exploring diverse paths—religious teachings, scientific theories, and philosophical insights—have revealed that true understanding is found not in fixed answers but in a life of constant learning. Growing up with established beliefs provided me with a foundation, yet it was my curiosity that led me to question, expand, and ultimately reshape my worldview. Through this journey, I’ve come to see that wisdom lies in embracing the many perspectives that life offers, each one bringing us closer to the core truths of love and self-awareness.
At the heart of this pursuit, love and self-awareness stand as the essential guides. Self-awareness keeps us grounded, urging us to examine our motivations and to remain open to different perspectives, even when they challenge our own. This openness fosters empathy, helping us connect deeply with others and to act from a place of love and understanding. As Da Vinci said, “Learning never exhausts the mind.” In choosing this path of curiosity and compassion, we commit ourselves to a life where growth, empathy, and purpose are interwoven, leading us to a richer understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
