The Ivory Tower and the pursuit of knowledge

[reedfish]

Mental and emotional pain results from a "belief" about a past experience. In order to alter the pain, the belief must be altered. How is that possible? Indeed, it is not possible to "directly" alter a belief simply because such alteration is desired. That belief arose from an evaluation of past experience. What is needed is a "new evaluation" to replace the old one that is CONVINCING to the subconscious mind. The new one becomes convincing to the subconscious not because of any inherent truth or falsity of the new "conclusion", but rather is the new interpretation energetically more POWERFUL - does it vibrate FASTER than one currently in place? This vibration is a measure of how much "doubt" there is about the new "conclusion". Belief can be altered instantly through insight or revelation - that moment when intellect says AH HA!!!! I UNDERSTAND!!!! If this moment of newly acquired insight is powerful enough, complete alteration of the old belief is possible. However, rarely are stubborn old beliefs removed this "easily". Normally there is only "partial" insight - partial revelation and some accompanying doubt. Even partial revelation can alter experience - but only partially. This is where affirmation and visualization can "take up the slack" so to speak. New and desired "conclusions" can be energized over time and strengthened, even in the presence of intellectual "doubt". As experience changes - even if slowly, gradually the doubt shrinks. This is where meditation can be MOST helpful, and since intellectual pursuit alone will rarely dislodge stubborn old beliefs all on it's own, is perhaps the reason why intellectual pursuit "alone" is most often inadequate for most people.