The Map of Our Internal Belief System is Not The Real Territory of Our Life

The Map of  Our Internal Belief System is Not The Real Territory of  Our Life  

Everyday, we are living our life with a struggle for searching the solution of existing challenges and problems but we don't  know where are those solutions which can make our life more comfortable and happier. Most of the time, we are searching those solutions in others but some great philosophers told that all solutions are in your self  and you need to discover those solutions only in yourself. They told that only you are the problem for yourself and only you are the solution of yourself. But, where is that place inside us from where we can start to discover the solution. What those great saints and philosophers want to indicate us? What was the real meaning that our solutions exists in our own self ? Are they saying that our solution exists in our own belief systems ? Can our internal belief systems be that starting place to search the solutions which was indicated by our great saints and philosophers. 

Is there any need to observe our belief systems to get the solution of our existing challenges of our life? The question seems very simple but really the answer of this question is so difficult if we are not deeply connected with the truth about the life changing impact of our own belief systems in our life and the troubles created by our own personal belief systems. How much power has in our belief systems that can be imagined after watching this movie clip which is based on the  story of a Tibetan monk. 
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                                (Source Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-As9PPRdFR8)

Some times after getting success, achievements and money, we started to get an impression that everything is working fine in our life  and now there is no need to talk about our belief systems because they have all things which was their need and dream. But even our success and achievements can not stop the coming challenges. There will be always a search for the solution of coming problems because current success is not the  guarantee of any permanent solution of happiness and peace in our life. 

(Source Image -http://leaderslab.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/numskulls-400x280.jpg)

Recently, I was in Indore and got a chance to meet with one person who had shared a wonderful story which is based on a true incident and after going through this story, anyone can realise the reality of their own belief systems and got an answer why they need to observe their own belief systems to make their life better and progressive.  

This is the story of a person who was throughout gold medallist and one of the most successful person in his career. This story has been written in the book “POINTERS FROM NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ by Mr. Ramesh S. Balsekar”. 

This a great story and I am quoting the same as written in the book without any changes. The title of the story is "Pride of Achievement".

Pride of Achievement

"I have worked hard and I now consider myself a very successful man. I would be a hypocrite if I did not admit that I have a considerable amount of satisfaction and, yes, a certain amount of pride too in my achievement. Would that be wrong?"
One evening a foreign visitor addressed Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj with these words. He was in his mid-forties — smug, self-confident and a bit aggressive. Conversation then proceeded along the following lines:
Maharaj: Before we consider what is 'right' and what is 'wrong', please tell me who is asking this question.
Visitor: (A bit startled) Why, 'me', of course.
M: And who is that?
V: Me. This 'me', who is sitting in front of you.
M: And you think that that is you?
V: You see me. I see myself. Where is the doubt?
M: You mean this object that is before me? What is your earliest recollection of this object that you think you are. Think as far back as you can.
V: (After a minute or two) The earliest recollection would perhaps be of being caressed and cuddled by my mother.
M: You mean, as a tiny infant. Would you say that the successful man of today is the same helpless infant, or is it someone else?
V: It is undoubtedly the same
M: Good. Now, if you think further back, would you agree that this infant, which you can recollect, is the same baby that was born to your mother, that was once too helpless even to realise what was happening when its little body was going through its natural physical functions, and could only cry when it was hungry or in pain?
V: Yes, I was that baby.
M: And before the baby acquired its body and was delivered what were you?
V: I don't understand.
M: You do understand. Think. What happened in your mother's womb? What was developing into a body with bones, blood, marrow, muscles etc., over a period of nine months? Was it not a male sperm cell that combined with ovum in the female womb thus beginning a new life and, in the process, going through numerous hazards? Who guarded this new life during this period of hazards?
Is it not that very infinitesimally tiny sperm cell which is now so proud of his achievements? And who asked particularly for you? Your mother? Your father? Did they particularly want you for a son? Did you have anything to do with being born to these particular parents?
V: I am afraid, I really haven't thought along these lines.
M: Exactly. Do think along these lines. Then perhaps you will have some idea of your true identity. Thereafter, consider if you could possibly be proud of what you have 'achieved'.
V: I think, I begin to understand what you are driving at.
M: If you go deeper into the matter, you will realise that the source of the body—the male sperm and the female ovum— is in itself the essence of food consumed by the parents; that the physical form is made of, and fed by, the five elements constituting the food; and also, that quite often the body of one creature does become the food for another creature
V: But, surely, I, as such, must be something other than this food-body.
M: Indeed, you are, but not some 'thing'. Find out what it is that gives sentience to a sentient being, that without which you would not even know that you exist, let alone the world outside. And finally, go deeper yet and examine if this beingness
V: I shall certainly go into the various questions you have raised, although I must confess that I have never explored these areas before, and I feel almost giddy in my ignorance of the new spheres you have opened up before me. I will come and see you again, sir.

That person left the place with a feeling that he needs to observe his beliefs which he was holding and carrying in his life from so many years.

He realized that his beleif systems about his success and achievements was nothing but just the representation of his troubled internal belief systems which was destroyed after discussion with the Yogi. His belief system was not the real truth of his life and there was need to change it and make it more realistic by understanding the impact of incorrect belief systems on his life.

There is need to observe the direction of our belief systems because our display of life is the story of our belief systems. We are just making the map of own world based on our internal belief systems by our experiences which we are getting through our senses.  After certain period, we got an assumption that this is the only truth and I am right and only I am always right. Gradually this map becomes like a GPRS system of our life which guides our all acts, talks, choices, responses, approach and decisions. 

These internal maps of our belief systems started to represent us and our world and based on that we create a territory of our own life. But the fact that our map of internal belief systems is not the real territory of their life. It’s important for us to understand this reality that the map of our belief systems is not the actual territory of our life or existing truth from where we are guided and forced to follow their GPRS direction. In reality, life is beyond this territory which need to be discover because beyond this territory there is unlimited options and opportunity which are waiting for us. 

(Source of Imae- https://mapisnottheterritory.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/nlp-diagram-map-territory.jpg)

In Dr. Strange movie, there is beautiful discussion between a philosopher and a doctor which can a great interpretation of limiting belief systems and their  impacts on our life. This whole discussion  can be viewed in this video

                    (Source Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPKq7JuQDvg&t=81s)

There is need to understand like Dr. Strange in this movie that there can be limitation in their belief systems which can be the biggest hurdle in their growth and development. We can change our belief system by seeing more and knowing more about the related things. After changing in our beliefs, we can easily connect with endless possibilities which is existing beyond our belief systems. 

Even two people can’t have the two-same map of their belief systems even if both perceive the same surroundings which can be visualise through this beautiful story of ELEPHANT AND THE BLIND MEN in Jainism.  In this story there was a group of blind men,  who heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. Out of curiosity, they said: "We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable". 

                 (Source Image - https://www.jainworld.com/literature/story25i1.gif)

So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. In the case of the first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said "This being is like a thick snake". For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said, "elephant is a wall". Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth and like a spear. (based on Wikipedia)

This story had well explained the reality of our belief systems and their representation in front of others. Most of the time, our problem and their solution hidden in our belief systems. With honest observation of our internal belief systems, we can realise that we are bounded by outdated and stupid belief systems which are stopping us to move forward in our life.  

Our belief systems can be the real hurdles and  stopping us to connect with all those solutions for which we are searching to make our life more better and more progressive. There is need to clean all those internal belief systems which are useless and just occupying our mind and destructing our life.

How we can get rid of our useless beliefs systems and what are the core things which can help us in making our belief systems more progressive will be discussed in next coming articles. Keep reading and connected with us. 

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