Episode 69 - Being Skeptical and Willing to Listen
In 2010, The Fifth Agreement, a sequel to The Four Agreements, was published. In this episode we take on the last new agreement, "Be Skeptical but Learn to Listen." Here we share our insights on the power of doubt and how asking, "Is it true?" about everything we hear supports the process of un-domestication of the planet, ultimately leading us to Truth. This one can upend our entire belief system, but through it we can find complete acceptance of ourselves and others just the way we are.
NOTES:
Underlying premise
The Four Agreements are presented as new agreements – to free us from the “Book of Law” or society’s dream
The Four Agreements are presented as new agreements – for Freedom
The Fifth Agreement:
The power of doubt:
We’ve all been taught the dream of the planet
We live in a world of our own perceptions
All agreements are worthy of a dose of healthy skepticism
Apply this to the outer world and inner world
Question what you hear (what you disagree with and what you agree with), what you’ve been taught, what you believe about others, the world and yourself
Key Insights
Be skeptical because most of what you hear isn't true
Don’t believe every message and put your faith in the symbols you have learned
When our faith is not in symbols, your faith is in yourself
'Un-domestication' is the process of unlearning lies and relearning how to follow the Truth by following your own heart
The power of doubt supports this process
Listen
All of us tell lies in one way or another – not because we want to lie, but because we believe what we've learned
We can understand others by learning to listen - we don't have to believe them
Don't have to agree, disagree, compare and contrast, rebut with our own views, or judge
Be respectful of other people's stories, perceptions, movies
They are just letting us know what is going on in their virtual world
NOTE: During Rev. Carol's opening comments, she speaks about the TV show, The Chi, as an example of learning to listen. For those who are interested, it is broadcast on Showtime. Here is more information in The Chi: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6294706/
Belief vs Truth
The Truth doesn't need belief
It simply is and will survive whether it is believed or not
Lies need to be believed
We don't need to believe what we already know
The Truth doesn't come with words; it is silent
Semantics
Belief:
a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing
something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion : something believed
conviction of the truth of some statement or reality
Belief in the Bible
Greek: pisteuo (believe) means to “be convinced of something” or “give credence to”
Also Trust
Truth:
the body of real things, events, and facts : ACTUALITY
the state of being the case : FACT
a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality
Dialogue Questions:
Share your reaction to all this.
What do you believe?
What do you know is True?
What do you think about the idea that Truth doesn't require belief? How do you see the difference between belief and Truth?
Share your experience of the power of doubt - a time when you were skeptical about a story or 'agreement' and made a new choice that was true for you.
Share a time when you listened to another's story and either reacted/judged/counter-punched, or saw it for what it was - their own story.
How will this new agreement free you?
Affirmation
My spiritual path is one of continual awakening. As I grow, I recognize that many of my beliefs and opinions aren’t choices that I made. They were taught to me by other people and the culture at large. As I listen to the voice in my head and the voices of those around me, I ask myself, “Is it true?” I stay in this inquiry and allow the power of doubt to bring Clarity and Light. I listen to the stories of others with non-attachment, and make my own choices. I find Truth and am born anew.