Dr. Kenn Gordon is Co-Pastor of the Centre for Spiritual Living in Kelowna, BC.
Choosing Our Beliefs
September 2010
Dr. Kenn Gordon
We choose our beliefs. You can choose to believe we do–or not. Choose one way, and your beliefs control you; choose the other, and you control your beliefs. This is an important distinction. The philosophy of our teaching posits that once we make our choice, we can be assured we have put the Infinite Creative Power into motion. This Power cannot and will not be stopped unless we decide to stop it ourselves. Our beliefs become our experiences, and our experiences make up what we know as our lives on this plane.
It is a revelation to many that they have the power to choose what they believe. Our beliefs seem to have been formed over such a long time that many do not even consciously recognize they are subject to choice. Robertson Davies once wrote, “Be sure to choose what you believe and why you believe it, because if you don’t choose your beliefs, you may be certain that some belief, and probably not a very good one, will choose you.”
Every day, all of us have hundreds of opportunities to choose our beliefs. For the most part, the opportunity to choose a belief presents itself around every situation. Then we choose–consciously or unconsciously, deliberately or by default–to accept or reject the belief. If we accept it, it is ours until we change it. No one can be forced to believe anything; we have to choose. This is the greatest gift we have ever received.
We all believe in something, and we can no more “not believe” than we can “not think.” Each of us has the ability to believe, and this ability is equal amongst all. No one person has more of it than another, and no one person is deprived of it in any way.
The only difference between any of us is this: Some people work to master their choices and thereby direct them toward what supports and grows their desired good. Others do not, so choices are made for them by default. By the very nature of said default, those people cease to grow and evolve. The default is status quo, and we were not created to sustain it. Rather, we were created to express and develop our possibility and potentiality to the fullest.
We start with our beliefs, and with passion, energy, and clarity, we develop another new belief, a belief in beauty and abundance, in harmony with and respect for life. The default is what you have now, which can never be anything else. Believe it or not–it is always your choice.
There is a story of a conductor hired to supply music at a conference of CEOs at a gathering on organizational structure. He confidently approaches the podium on the night of the performance. The orchestra waits, anticipating the first wave of the baton. Instead, the audience gasps when the conductor puts his baton down, sits leisurely on the stage, and nods at the first violinist. The violinist, without missing a beat, raises her bow. With her nod to the orchestra, they begin playing flawlessly in sync. Any nervousness about not being conducted dissolves as they perform their piece in harmony to perfection.
When complete, the conductor turns to the audience of business leaders and asks, “How many of you have such faith in the professionalism and skill of your people? Do you really appreciate their talents, skills, and creativity?” He then turns back to the orchestra and nods. Without hesitation, they play another symphony, this time with more nuances bringing their work to life, each section coherent, clear, and alive. They end with a thunderous ovation from the audience, leaving the CEOs awed by the transformation they just witnessed and asking themselves how they–in their own organizations–could go beyond where they were, appreciate more, care more, trust more. No doubt they were asking themselves, “Can I go past business as usual? Can I bring my business to life with such grace and poise and in such a gentle and dynamic way?”
We currently find ourselves in a dynamic process of change. It is occurring in our nations, societies, organizations, and churches/centers. Everyone is accountable, responsible, and needed. We cannot afford to miss the poignant notes of even one, be it the woodwind, piano, or horn.
Our organization is presently involved in integration with our sisters and brothers in the United Centers for Spiritual Living. Every opportunity to hear and be heard is being taken for the benefit of all members. Every voice is important, but sharing can only be effective if everyone is willing to do it. What would the orchestra sound like if the trumpet player chose not to play or the percussionists did not show up? I will tell you: It would be incomplete.
In the next two years, it is vital that we make the effort to be in attendance at every possible event. It is important that we are there to share coherently from our hearts and participate with energy and vigor.
We are designing an organization that demonstrates the faith we have in each other, brings to light our professionalism and skill, and develops a foundation of shared leadership that reflects our appreciation for all our talents, skills, and creativity. This is the vehicle we are creating to take our message to the world to awaken it to its spiritual magnificence so we may truly experience a world that works for everyone.
