EARTH SCHOOL
The following excerpt is from the self help
psychology book, Be Your Own Therapist.
One basic question that each of us must answer is, "What is the
meaning of life?" Your answer to that question has much
relevance to your ability to be happy. Many of us don't have solid convictions
about the meaning of life and have uncritically adopted
conventional wisdom expressed by those around us. There are many
different answers to that meaning-of-life question, some of
which automatically cause much distress and unhappiness. Other
answers to the question allow for (but do not necessarily
automatically result in) contentment and happiness.
The one common ingredient in answers that will allow
contentment is what I call the belief in Earth School.
Specifically, we all attend Earth School here on this planet for
learning various things. The spiritual systems that seem to
permit inner peace are those that include the belief that one
major meaning of life is to learn about: oneself (body, mind,
emotions and soul), the world around us, choice, relationships,
values, service and a few of the myriad facets of life about
which we are ignorant. On some levels most of the major
religions subscribe to this belief. But following any religion,
whether organized or unorganized, is not necessary to gain the
benefits from such a belief.
Earth School Beliefs
(1)Earth School routinely gives me demanding challenges/lessons
my conscious self would prefer to avoid.
(2)Whatever challenges/lessons are thrown my way in life are
always there to teach me something.
(3)I can choose to follow my old ways and suffer, or I can
choose to change myself (ideas, emotions and/or body) to master
the challenges/ lessons being offered me.
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A belief in "Earth School" is a much happier way to lead one's life; more popular beliefs are often disasters, happiness-wise. |
All three of the above beliefs are somewhat unpopular these
days. Three popular ideas follow. (1)Randomness and being the
victim are correct. Therefore it is not possible that there are
some important higher powers and meanings involved in the
creation of challenging life events. (2)If I can be
politically-correct and blame someone else, then I don't have to
face myself. Therefore, I refuse to believe that life's
challenges are there to teach me something. (3)I blame the
handiest outside person or group for my distress, waiting for
them to change so that I can finally be happy (which doesn't
happen because all those being blamed never do change).
Please reread the previous paragraph. It contains the root
causes of much of our unhappiness as a society today. For if we
could change our society's thinking away from that in the last
paragraph, the improvements would be quite dramatic for all.
Changing society involves changing individuals first. Do your
beliefs need changing?
To resolve our distress here on Earth School, it must be moved
through, not avoided or blamed on someone/ something else.
Moving through distress is initially more difficult than trying
to avoid it, but avoidance only works temporarily (like the
addict's fix).
Next Excerpt 
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Nothing is miserable but what is thought so, and contrarywise, every estate is happy if he that bears it be content... Boethius 500 A.D. |
More Excerpts This Chapter
WAS THIS CHAPTER BANNED IN BOSTON?
GOLDEN RETRIEVER MAGIC
SPIRITUALITY - TRUTH OR QUACKERY?
SPIRITUALITY IS NOT RELIGION
WHEN DOES RANDOM CHANCE BECOME A FRAUD?
EARTH SCHOOL
HAPPIER CHOICES
TWO HAPPIER BELIEF SYSTEMS
ONE-TIME-AROUND VS. REINCARNATION
PAST LIVES THERAPY
ASTROLOGY
THIS IS A SAFE UNIVERSE
I GET EXACTLY WHAT I NEED
WHAT ABOUT BEING A VICTIM?
SUMMARY OF BELIEFS HAPPY AND UNHAPPY
This Chapter's Quiz
Book Table of Contents
Psychology of Sex Education - Psychological Sexual Health Care
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