Personal - Transpersonal Counseling

Volume Seven, Number One

Spring, 2006

Beliefs

Beliefs are an integral part of who we are. Many of our beliefs are very visible, but many significant beliefs are invisible to us. That may seem like an unusual statement to make. Our visible beliefs are held by our primary selves. They range from beliefs about reality to our fundamentals ethics. However, we may be unaware of the many assumptions and deductions one makes from a visible belief. Invisible beliefs are held by parts of us that we are unaware of, or barely aware of.

Parts or subpersonalities are individualized aspects of us, and beliefs are an integral part of them. We have responsible parts, and parts that love to have fun. We may have a competitive part, or a part of us that loves art. We have physical and emotional vulnerabilities. Physically we may be harmed, and emotionally we may be hurt. We have fears that reinforce our vulnerabilities.

Some of these parts develop in a direct response to our vulnerabilities and beliefs. As an example, we may develop a very responsible part in relationship to work in order to keep our fear down about loosing the job we need which provides the means for us to sustain our bodies.

Beliefs are mental, but they are empowered by our emotions. This makes beliefs incredibly powerful. People are willing and do die for what they believe in. Unfortunately the power behind beliefs does not guarantee that what we believe in is true, or even best for our overall well being. The more basic or core a belief is, the more profoundly it effects and guides our life.

Using the analogy of a tree, the trunk represents a core belief. The branches represent the many secondary beliefs that stem from a core belief; and the leaves are our experiences which grow out of the beliefs.

There are deep psychological meanings associated with beliefs, both on a personal and collective level. I believe our psychology and beliefs are intrinsically linked.

It is easy to look at history and see how beliefs have changed and evolved. What once was a fact, is later found not to be true. At one time people believed the sun and heavenly vault rotated around the earth. As our sciences progressed, mankind learned we are a part of a vast cosmic system. As we continue to grow, we will most likely discover that some of our current basic beliefs about reality will turn out to be equally untrue.

It is interesting and difficult to speculate about what various beliefs in our history may mean in a developmental way for mankind; and what possible symbolism and/or psychological implications such belief changes may represent.

What kind of psychological parallel might we equate with our evolving understanding about the position of the earth in relation to the sun?

As individuals we need a sense of self to grow and evolve ourselves. Each of us is a center and our world of experiences revolve around us. However, as we grow up we learn there are others, and that our desires are not the only desires that exist. As a society we are learning, or need to learn, that we too are part of a system and we can’t afford to be so egocentric as to think the whole universe revolves around us.

There are religious and spiritual beliefs which can form the foundation of our lives. The range of religious beliefs is immense, and has a profound effect on our lives. A belief in a loving personal god can be a great comfort, and a confirmation that life can be safe and supportive. A belief that there is nothing but this life could limit one’s ability to experience themselves beyond this physical existence. A belief that you are innately sinful could seriously undermined your sense of self worth, or that you are worthy of being loved.

In our every day experiences, beliefs, parts and vulnerabilities flow together almost seamlessly. In addition there is the model of the four bodies: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. These two models weave together in our psychological tapestry.

Going back to my previous example, everyone has a responsible part to one degree or another. Being responsible is a work ethic and value system that one develops in order to keep their job and be well thought of. This responsible part responds to the very basic vulnerability/need to provide for one’s physical survival. One obvious belief that stems from this vulnerability is, I need to make money in order to survive. If you were born wealthy, you might not hold this belief.

In the above scenario, our vulnerability is our physical need, our fear is loosing the job which is emotional; and the value system is mental.

Beliefs are layered one upon the other. Another aspect of our work life is how we feel about what we do to make a living. Does our work enliven us, or is it 9 to 5 in order to survive? It may be difficult to identify the underlying vulnerability in words, but the difference between how we feel about ourselves when we are happy with work versus unhappy, is obvious. This vulnerability is in our emotional body. There is something within us that radiates as joy and fulfillment when you feel good about yourself and life. If not, you may hold the view that life sucks, a judgment/belief which you hold in your mental body.

What kind of beliefs might be associated with this intrinsic desire of wanting a happy and fulfilling life? Each answer will be unique. What might be the origins of such a belief? That question takes me into my beliefs and experiences about spirituality/God, and our spiritual bodies. As the soul, with the unique attributes that are ours, we seek to realize and express ourselves in the physical, emotional, and mental bodies as the divine expression that we are.

Our spiritual body is beyond the physical, and there are many levels contained within it. Beliefs and judgments are mental and belong to our mental body. Feelings tells us how an experience(s) feels to us. They are part of our emotional body. Body experiences, and body also can tell you how an experience feels to you.

We can map beliefs from the personality upward toward the soul, and we can map how beliefs manifest from the soul to our personality. In the above example we went from personality to soul starting with the basic vulnerability of physical survival. We can start with a soul essence and see how that might manifest in our four bodies.

Within the soul there is an energy that is life itself. Contained within this basic “I am ness” of the soul is, I have been given the gift of creating myself. One way my mental body interprets or translates this quality is, entitlement. I have the freedom and right to create myself and experience what I envision as bringing me joy and fulfillment in my life.

In my emotional body this energy essence might manifest as a passion for a certain activity. In my physical body, that inherent quality of the soul may manifest as the energy to do an activity, or a state of good health, or something as fundamental as a flower turning towards the sun.

Following our work example, how might this manifest? We need to be a bit specific to get an idea. The soul knows that Source is a creator, and the soul knows it can create. An aspect of that creative process is sound/vibration. Studying sound is one of the ways the soul can learn more about the Creator, and how the Creator creates.

As a reflection of what the soul is to Source, the soul wants to express and evolve its creativity. The soul then projects an aspect of its self into physical reality and a child is born with a gift of music. The child will use his/her mind to study music, and music will be where his/her passion and drives are. Perhaps s/he is born with perfect pitch.

It takes a great deal of dedication to become a good musician. A responsible self is going to get him/her to practice, but is combined with her/his passion for music... it is where you want to be. There are vulnerabilities involved such as, will I be good? will I be able to make a living playing music? And all the challenges the life as an artist faces.

We can sense how “below to above”, and “above to below” can manifest in our four bodies, and as parts and vulnerabilities. We can speculate about what kind of beliefs we hold about our birth from Source.

Starting from the heights, some of our most primary unconscious beliefs were formed at the time we were individualized from Source. As an example, as an individualized aspect of All That Is, we no longer were everywhere all at once... when we were the collective unlimitedness of All That Is. This was interpreted as being separate. We then formed an imprinting, a belief that we were separate from other. Certainly, I am not you. The ramifications of this belief have been staggering, and the belief is one of the main reasons why humanity has been able to inflict such suffering upon other.

The healing needed in relationship to this belief is to understand how we are individualized and how we are one. Then our wholeness and our individuality are recognized and honored, and we need deny neither aspect of it. But that is getting ahead a bit.

Another primary belief stemming from this separation could be stated as, I am limited. Not being everywhere all at once seemed like a limitation. I don’t know about you, but I think I experience limitations in numerous ways, lack of abundance, lack of freedom, inability to express unconditional love, to name several.

What happens when we hold a negative belief(s) within us and judge ourselves as bad and wrong? Judgment invokes guilt and shame, and those emotions feel bad to us. As a result, several things happen.

When we feel judged by someone, consciously or unconsciously, our defense system kicks in to protect us; such as accusing, blaming, and judging them as bad and wrong for starters. Or you may go the other direction, and feel victimized by the attacking person.

The vulnerability and bad feelings will go underground, and be embodied by a child part. In this way, we push the feelings outside of us where we hope we won’t have to deal with them or experience them again. That is a basic pattern.

Our four bodies hold all our emotions and beliefs. An issue may manifest as a physical symptom(s) to help bring the underlying feelings and beliefs to our waking consciousness, where hopefully, we can begin to heal the issue(s) and change the beliefs.

It is wonderful when we can intuit what is core and see how it radiates through our being. However, most of the time we start with a situation and have to work our way through it to discover its meaning. We have to start from who we are here and try to figure it out.

As an example, how might the issue of trust manifest as a physical symptom, and the symptom represent a belief? Lets say you have arthritis in the knee. In Body Symbols by Hilarion, the lower leg represents the personality, and the upper leg represents the soul or higher self. The knee represents the joining link between the two.

The arthritis, lack of movement, could represent the inability of the personality to move his or her consciousness up to the soul level and back again. This inability to consciously connect with our soul is a deep loss. In a way, it is the loss of our best friend, ourselves as souls. Consciously or unconsciously, this gap is psychologically painful to us. Symbolically, the arthritis could represent our inability to connect with our soul level, and that is painful.

Another branch of the core issue of trust might be, a mistrust in life. With the loss of our soul connection, there isn’t the knowledge that the soul level can impart to us, like why do I have arthritis in my knee? This can lead to the belief that the universe/god is not safe, and therefore not trustworthy. After all look at all the bad things that happen to us for no apparent reason.

Not trusting your soul may not be a conscious thought or belief, but could be translated to, mirrored in, not trusting people. In our primary relationship we might feel betrayed by the actions of our loved one. Perhaps they have an affair, shattering the trust we had placed in them. If we trace the issue of trust back, perhaps we feel betrayed by God. Why have you abandoned me? Why can’t I feel and know your love for me here and now?

The following is an example of how our beliefs can be hidden. As I started to channel, I began to have a lot of trepidation. How would these channelings be judged and received? Were they any good? As these feelings arose, I discovered one of my hidden beliefs. I realized I didn't feel safe sharing this work with others, even though other parts of me had were totally delighted and wanted to share them. Below, I follow my feelings...

Earlier in my life I was a modern dancer. Movement, like music, is abstract. I could express myself, but the movement could not be interpreted literally, like writing. One may like or dislike a dance or musical composition, but an artist’s thoughts and feelings are hidden within the medium. On an unconscious level, one of the reasons I had chosen dance was the viewer could not attach a literal meaning to movement. Movement is safe, for it can not be interpreted literally, like words.

I had the impression of being rejected in previous lives for what I believed, and I certainly didn’t want to be one of those street people muttering or shouting their beliefs about god on the streets of NYC. Now with these channelings, these buried feelings with their corresponding beliefs were coming to the surface.

One of my hidden beliefs and vulnerabilities could be stated as: it is not safe to bring forth my spirit, my ideas, let alone to give voice to angels and masters. That is the surest way I know to be judged as nuts and thought poorly of... or in days of old, persecuted. There is no way I want to be subjugated to any of that. My past experiences and feelings boil down to the belief: it is not safe to share myself.

Each of these stories contains many parts, vulnerabilities, and beliefs. It is use useful to select one element of them to work with. The following is a template that can be used to help identify which parts/vulnerabilities of us are involved and the beliefs those parts hold. We can work from above to below, but most of the time we will be starting with an event from our life, and trying to discover the meaning(s) behind it.

Template

The Story:

Identify the primary self(s) that are involved. Choose one.

What are some of the underlying vulnerabilities?

What are some of the beliefs these parts hold?

Primary self:

Vulnerable self:

How would you like to change the script or belief?

Create a new belief.

Note: The above template is a tool, not an intellectual test, that we can use to discover and investigate these relationships. One does not need to get every aspect of it filled out the first time. You will find some of the parts, vulnerabilities, and beliefs with your first investigation of the story. Allow yourself time to feel into the story, then come back to work with it again to deepen your understanding.

Using my story as an example.

The Story:

I was playing racquet ball. As I pushed off my left leg to move to hit the ball, I felt as though my opponent had run into me, knocking me in the calf. I fell to the floor. I crawled off the court. I had torn my Achilles tendon.

Primary Self(s)

1. A part who wants to get in shape. He goes to the club to get exercise. Racquet ball is a fun way to get aerobic exercise.

2. A part who wants to have fun playing games and enjoys meeting people.

Underlying Vulnerabilities:

1. There are a couple of vulnerabilities for the “get in shape” part. On a physical level, I want to avoid sickness and injury. And there is always the hope of being physically attractive so I am more desirable to my mate.

2. There is a younger part who loves to play and likes having friends. There is an emptiness in being alone, and having friends and sharing experiences helps fill that longing.

What are some of the beliefs these parts hold?

Primary self - “get in shape”: exercise keeps you healthy. Being attractive gives you a better chance of getting laid.

Child - friends are important, they help create meaning in your life.

These were the reasons I was aware of for going to the club to play racquet ball. However, the charge/trigger was around the injury, not my motivation for going to the club. With some digging around, one of the major vulnerabilities this injury brought up was that harm can happen to me for no apparent reason. This brought up the part of me that was resentful toward the universe and spirit for all the bad things that happen to me throughout my life(s).

Primary Self(s)

1. A grumpy old man who holds resentment and anger. He does not trust people, the universe, soul, or god.

2. There is a rebellious part who feels if this is “authority's” will for me, then I want no part of it. (He is a tangent to the above story).

What are some of the underlying vulnerabilities?

There is a part who desperately wants bad things to stop happening, like a torn tendon. Especially when there is no apparent reason for it, and he has done nothing wrong to deserve it. He is innocent and good.

There is a great deal of sadness for all the potential that has been lost.

What are some of the beliefs these parts hold?

Grumpy old man believes that the universe is cruel, unfair, and full of crap.

The Rebellious part believes authority is just as likely to violate you as any criminal.

This child part knows-believes he is innocent and good, but the universe is not safe or trustworthy.

Because of how these scripts and parts combine: how much it hurts to have bad things happen, and the inability to stop it, or understand it; there is a pulling away or an attempt to distance myself from the pain and the source of the pain in order to protect myself and stop the pain. This creates a gap. Because of the gap there isn’t a connection, and that gap manifests as a loss of friendship with soul and god.

That script undermines trust. In a very basic way, a part of me does not believe soul or god are his friends. This loss of friendship is huge and there is loneliness, sadness, and abandonment because of it. And it hurts.

It is like a lover who was your best friend. Then so many bad things happen and go wrong, and there is so much pain, you end up withdrawing and distancing yourself in order to stop the pain. Eventually, you loose the relationship, the friendship, and the love. Ouch!

I have learned from the above story and other incidents in my life, these two issues of safety and trust are intricately linked. Because of our separation from the inner planes, there is a gap between me and my soul and further up the hierarchal ladder to Source.

One of the results of that gap is a profound lack of knowledge and understanding as to why things happen the way they do. In particular, why bad things seem to happen for no apparent reason. I wish to be kept safe from physical harm and bad feelings.

There is a healing for me in these scripts. This is the script I wanted to change.

Create a new belief.

God and soul are my friends again.

There is guided meditation by Vywamus through Janet McClure that I like to use when I want a new belief or affirmation to radiate to all parts of my being. It is called, “Lake Affirmation”. When I put the new belief into my beingness, soul or heart, I like to imagine it radiating to all parts of me, and to any life I have lived anywhere, at any time.

Lake Affirmation

View your subconscious mind as a lake. See the lake as a specific color. If a color doesn’t appear, ask your knowingness what color the lake may be. It could be one color, or perhaps a combination, such as blue-green.

On the shore of the lake there is a golden slide that comes right into the lake. You are going to use the slide to slide your affirmation into the lake, your subconscious. Now, imagine your affirmation sliding into the lake. As it does, see the water change to a clear iridescent sparklingly hue. Of course within that iridescent clear water, all the colors are present, but at this moment, it is crystal clear.

Because of your past and what is stored there, the subconscious may have some resistance to accepting the affirmation. Be aware of that. To assist with the integration of the affirmation, imagine an electric-magnetic light bulb with as much wattage as you need in the center of your lake. This light bulb represents your soul. If you find resistance, turn up the wattage of the bulb, and the affirmation will be attracted to that center point. See the affirmation moving into the energy of your soul.

Now see a gold radiance coming to and surrounding your lake. As the gold radiance enters the crystal clear lake, the water begins to take on the hue of this golden light.

As the gold light moves through the lake, it is attracted to the electrial-magnetic energy, your light bulb. Your light bulb is really a core of energy that extends from the base of the lake to the surface. Consciously let the gold light contact that energy.

With that contact, the golden light merges with the water until the whole lake is a radiating point of gold light, which has within its center the ability to pull in from the Whole an integrated point of view. In other words, through this integration process the affirmation is accepted on every level of your being; from the bottom of the lake to the surface.

Take as long as you need, until you know the whole lake and surrounding landscape is golden, and that the electrical core has accepted this integrated golden state on all levels.

By Vywamus through Janet McClure

As I slide the belief, soul and god are my friends again, into the lake, my child parts were completely delighted. They were simply radiant and thrilled at the prospect that bad things would stop happening. They have waited 30,000 years for this!

Okay, one goes through all this work, but does it make any real changes in your life? One can have moments of deep insight, and wonderful emotional and energetic experiences, but will your life change to bring you the joy you envision and hope for?

For me, the changes seems to happen gradually over time. Like a seed dropped into a pool, it ripples out into my life, but not dramatically. In addition it takes continuing to be conscious of the how the old beliefs and scripts want to reassert themselves. At that point, one has to consciously choose to support the new belief and the parts that are involved.

There is an element of grace in this work, and all others... that which happens on others levels that we are not aware of. I believe the soul, angels, masters, and god/father/mother/creator are helping us to heal as much as possible, but that too is an unfolding. What we can do is set our intention and apply ourselves, and know that we are evolving toward that which our hearts envision.

By Raymond Wolf

February 2006

If this work interests you, you can email at <raymond@jetcity.com>, or call 206-364-4794

If you live in the Seattle WA area, I am available for personal sessions.

Blessings always.

Go forth as the Love & Light that you are.

Please note that any material presented is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You are responsible for using your discernment and any application of the material being presented in this newsletter or on my website.

Peace & Joy