Personal Development for Smart People Forums - View Single Post - Is changing a core belief gradual or instantaneous?

elainevdw · 11-17-2006, 05:52 PM

I agree with the previous posts in that epiphanies do happen, but they're likely the last, conscious piece of a huge puzzle of subconscious pieces you've been collecting for years. Just asking this question makes me think that you've already started rebuilding your beliefs -- the process just isn't complete yet.

I also agree that beliefs are tied into your identity, which can make them scary and difficult to change.

There are many ways to go through the process, but what I always do is completely immerse myself in information on whatever subject it is I'm persuing -- books, internet, talking to people about it, etc. Then when I'm more comfortable with it, I find a community I can join of like-minded people to get more information on the spectrum of real-world applications of that belief. Perhaps it's because I'm the youngest of three kids, but seeing and emulating people is a huge way I learn, and I'm not really comfortable acting out fledgling, changing beliefs around people who are going to think I'm crazy. Then after everything soaks in, I have the choice to keep what resonates with me and rework/ignore what doesn't.

11-17-2006, 05:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
elainevdw Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Reno/Tahoe, NV, USA Posts: 375	I agree with the previous posts in that epiphanies do happen, but they're likely the last, conscious piece of a huge puzzle of subconscious pieces you've been collecting for years. Just asking this question makes me think that you've already started rebuilding your beliefs -- the process just isn't complete yet. I also agree that beliefs are tied into your identity, which can make them scary and difficult to change. There are many ways to go through the process, but what I always do is completely immerse myself in information on whatever subject it is I'm persuing -- books, internet, talking to people about it, etc. Then when I'm more comfortable with it, I find a community I can join of like-minded people to get more information on the spectrum of real-world applications of that belief. Perhaps it's because I'm the youngest of three kids, but seeing and emulating people is a huge way I learn, and I'm not really comfortable acting out fledgling, changing beliefs around people who are going to think I'm crazy. Then after everything soaks in, I have the choice to keep what resonates with me and rework/ignore what doesn't. __________________ ~ Elaine.