Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Capacity to Doubt


The capacity to doubt is one of the greatest gifts that humanity has been granted. What the heck are you talking about, Shaman?? I can hear it now. Well, let me explain this a little bit.

In shamanic teachings it is very important to recognize the difference between supposed reality and supposed illusion. To be able to discern the difference, one must be able to incorporate doubt. This is not like the self-doubt that comes with a lack of worthiness. It is the ability to look critically at something and then draw conclusions from what is observed. Science uses this method all the time. So do mystics, healers and shamans.

When we get too committed to things being one way or another, we risk losing the perspective that there could be other possibilities. Religions around the world are very caught up in their way being the only way. This leads to Holy wars (as though there ever could be a war that was Holy!). They demand that their followers only allow themselves to think and act a certain way, and no other way. They lack the ability to entertain doubt, thus discernment.

It is completely okay to doubt just about anything but yourself. That way you are able to access clarity on your path and find your way to Spirit with more ease. This will lead to enlightenment and illumination. So go ahead and ask the unasked questions. You will receive many opinions. Trust which one resonates with your core and then know that this is not necessarily something that must resonate with everyone else's core.

Blessed Be

Trent
www.deerhornshamanic.com
Posted by Picasa

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

The freedom to doubt and question is one thing that attracted me most to the shamanic path. I'm reminded of what the Buddha said:

"Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense."

And thanks for that email! Just sent a reply.

Trent Deerhorn said...

There is a reason I always liked that guy!