The Philosophy Discussion Forum

Will Bouwman wrote: ↑Wed Sep 02, 2026 2:26 pm

Lacewing wrote: ↑Sun Aug 30, 2026 10:30 pm What might we be capable of experiencing and creating if we let go of belief addictions? If we saw and appreciated the vast range of choices and possibilities?

I get the impression that belief addictions have at best a loose hold on you. We're in a toy shop, and everything is free. All we can do is share ideas and marvel at humankind's creativity. Let the ugly siblings squeeze their foot into a glass slipper; they might even succeed, but they're still ugly. Oh man, that sounds misanthropic; there's hope for everyone - everyone can be beautiful.

I question what we think we know... to remain free to see what else there is. That's helped me to accomplish and experience things that may seem unlikely, if not impossible. There are ways to fly over obstacles and 'rules' constructively and in the right spirit.

Yes, it can be like being in a toy shop (as you say). But it's not just about sharing and marveling, there are things to be built out of what's here!

In my experience, any of us can be beautiful or ugly depending on circumstances. One moment full of love or hate. One moment clear and open or closed and shut down. For this reason, perhaps, I don't automatically trust people to know or control themselves. Seeing inner beauty (divine nature) IS what I look for and tend to see first, but I've also seen people radiating some sort of darkness or deception, sometimes without them even saying a word. It's helpful.

In regard to a 'larger picture' and all of its facets, people who claim exactly how things are or should be are not believable or reputable. It seems foolish not to recognize how much more is always at work beyond any single view.