Belief and reality
The virus, the vaccines, institutions, politics, the global economy, social media, scientific advancement, the news... all of these things are the same: narratives, threads that are woven to shape what we call reality. We naturally interpret those narratives according to our upbringing, experiences and ideas which are themselves also narratives. In other words, we use stories to create and read other stories and this process in turn is fueled by our capacity to believe, our faith.
We often don't question why we believe the things we do. We're born in a world built with and upon ancient, well-established codes that our minds simply take for granted in order to not concern itself with them, pretty much like the internal processes of our bodies are carried out automatically. The only moments in which we're prompted to question this is when something "wrong" happens, when narratives start to misbehave, so to speak, and we're faced with crises, diseases and tumults, but otherwise, we just go along with it. Think for a second, have you ever doubted the purpose of traffic lights and their functionality? Technically, drivers could just bypass them and trample upon pedestrian crossing a street, but scarcely anyone does that, even in countries like mine where infrastructure and the Rule of Law are in tatters. There's a tacit social contract that the vast majority of people respect and trust unconsciously and therefore, we can cross a street when the light is red because we can almost unconditionally trust that the drivers will respect it and let us pass.
Now think about how many other aspects of our daily lives are organized in this pattern. When we cook, we trust implicitly that we'll be able to control the fire because kitchens have evolved to be trustworthy despite using potentially destructive elements like gas or electricity. We also do it using utensils that can be very dangerous and yet, although accidents do happen, they're rare, we don't have to concern ourselves with the hazard of the forces we employ regularly because we've mostly ensured their safety and only abuse or improper implementation can reduce that safety. We make these assumptions collectively without a second glance; we put our money into banks that could very well steal it from us and often do in a variety of ways; we give our support to people around us, to politicians or celebrities based on their appeal to us, even though they could disappoint us or engage in actions that we deem inadequate, and often do; we place such value on the news we consume, that supposedly give us the information we require about the world, yet they've very little to do with the truth and often obscure it.
In this understanding, we should make a thorough review of the things we believe in, how strong that belief is and what's it bringing to our lives. Are the things into which we pour our faith expansive and liberating? Are they constrictive and oppressive? Should we be so fierce and passionate in our defense of one thing or person over another? How useful, beautiful or loving is our relationship with these beliefs, really?
Our reality depends on this, it's entirely built on faith. Even rational disciplines such as science are bound by faith and only work through it. What reality are we building? Can we improve it? These are crucial question with no easy answers.
I observe public rituals. I traverse through muddy spaces. An old friend accompanies me in a transformation.
Nobility, marvel. The tree is free without leaving its place, be also free with the Purpose that has been granted to you. Accept the blessings that come to you, cleanse your throat and strengthen your prayers, cleanse your body and intensify your Light. The deepest Love holds you, trust your process, use the learnings that you have obtained. Elevate your verb, do not swear in vain, do not commit with projects that do not resonate with you, saying no or remaining silent when needed does not have to be a problem. The healing starts by recognizing and accepting the wound, talk to yourself sincerely, put aside the myths and face the truth. Unify your efforts, concentrate your energy on a clear goal, the quality of your reality depends on where you focus your faith.