Most often we define ourselves by what we believe, but equally, often we disassociate ourselves from what we do. We know that certain precepts are proper, like "don't harm other sentient beings". But then, we might go out for a steak dinner. We say we love someone, but then when our feelings are hurt, we behave in a less than loving way.
What we actually have to do in life, is disassociate ourselves from our beliefs and realize that our "our actions are our only true belongings". This is a teaching from Thich Nhat Hanh, and it is so very true. We have to realize that things like truth and love exist not because we believe in them, but because we bring them into existence through action.
We must become "truth" and we must become "love" as opposed to being just believers in these things.
An old joke about faith goes like this.
Little Johnny is in church and the preacher says , "Johnny what is faith ? " . And Johnny says "Faith is believing in something you know ain't true".
We each need to know what is true and false and about ourselves, and we do this by honestly evaluating the actions we take. When we actually "love" and actually are "truthful" we experience real freedom.
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