Earthrise vs. Sunset

Inspiration: watching a sunset.

Sunsets are one of the most beautiful things we are allowed to witness. All beings see sunsets but we humans have the capacity to witness life as it unfolds. We witness our own witnessing. Although purely mechanistic a sunset never ceases to fill our hearts with joy and serenity. We all love watching how the huge ball of fire we normally cannot look at touches the horizon and disappears behind it. We search for the elusive green light, delight at the sky's changing hues, try to spot the appearance of the first star, and smile at the horizon. Subsequent twilight is equally beautiful and for a few minutes or more, we feel at peace. The chatter in our minds is sublimed by the beauty we have witnessed.

But the sun doesn't actually set. It is the earth that rises. Seeing it this way is not possible because of our reference frame. We are one with the movement of the earth and are bound to the perspective it gives us. But calling a sunset "sunset" is a misperception. It inaccurately describes the true nature of the event that is unfolding. Many of our own perceptions, especially the ones we have of ourselves, are equally inaccurate.

Perceptions arise from the interpretation of stimuli. But because we are highly developed cognitive beings, perceptions co-exist with our beliefs and our capacity to accurately qualify our experiences. If you have a low sense of self-esteem, for instance, you might interpret someone's frustration with you as a sign that you are indeed unworthy of kindness. In reality, the other person is frustrated because she lost her job a few hours ago. What we believe to be true determines the way we perceive and qualify information. A belief tries to reinforce itself because the brain likes to reinforce existing neurological pathways. The brain goes the path of least resistance. The effort of seeing anew is not something the brain likes to do. So if you've spent the last 10 years believing that you are not worthy of love, the brain will constantly try to reaffirm this belief.

The first step to changing a belief is to recognize all limiting beliefs as misperceptions. Limiting beliefs are those that distance you from love. You are worthy of love, you are loved and you are loving. You are joyful and you are beautiful, just the way you are. All else is a misperception. That you just have to believe. It is hard to see the sunset as an earthrise, but it is true. It may be hard to believe you are worthy of love, but it is true. :)