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Belief versus Denial
Sheryl Gottschall
©
At a recent
talk at a local Probus club I sat and listened as our
spokesperson Martin Gottschall spoke of UFO sightings and
contacts. In the question and answer time one gentleman began
his question with “I know you believe in UFOs but….” The rest
of the question trailed off as I began to realize just how
many times I have heard questions begin with this statement.
Belief is a
word that is so commonly misused in the UFO arena and denial
is a word that is not used enough. The dictionary description
of denial is “ refusal of statement that thing is not true or
existent”. Classic “denialists” are people who prefer to be
called sceptics. Although scepticism is a healthy quality to
exhibit in this field it can also suppress opportunities for
growth if applied too heavily.
Belief and
denial are strategies to live life by, just like the
scientists reductionist world view. However we have to be
careful with the models we create in order to understand the
world. To believe is to take on faith, to deny is to refuse to
awaken. Sometimes this can be helpful but most times this
works against us. People who take anything on faith can become
caught up in cults (Heaven’s Gate). People who deny live in
the past and become out of step with the evolving
consciousness of the planet. Their growth stagnates while they
look on with disapproval. They become a fragmented part of
humanity just like the faith followers whose reality also
becomes dysfunctional. Both these types can live in a twisted
reality, full of untruths.
So how do we
resolve these two polarities to find balance? As the Buddha
said, following the middle road is best. But this too is not
always an easy task for how do we know where the middle is. In
order to know the middle we have to know the extremes and vice
versa. If we know the extremes then that is a good indicator
that we are not a “prisoner” of either mental condition
because we have to be mentally able to leave one to experience
the other. Whew!! Is that complicated or what??
In fact it is
deceptively simple but does require a certain amount of
wisdom. No matter how vast oceans may seem there is a middle
to them. No matter how widespread a storm may be it still has
an eye. When we explore knowledge we need to be aware of the
extremes that knowledge can take us to whilst maintaining a
steady course of growth in understanding. If we upset this
balance we can end up out on a limb with a one-eyed approach
to our subject or cause.
I’m sure many
of you want to understand the UFO phenomenon just like I, but
I do want to know the truth not just have my wishes fulfilled.
Just like I once read in a book - it’s okay to go flying but
don’t forget to land.
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