Just Imagine

​One of the longest and most controversial books I've read this year is SAPIENS by Yuval Noah Harari. It was 485 pages (small print) and 10 hours of my life, but so worth it! 
 
The author had me ponder my beliefs as an imagined order instead of "truth." 

While reading, I realized that I could see the beliefs of others (especially those I disagree with) as an imagined order much more than my own beliefs.
 
Professor Harari states that imagined orders are not evil or useless; they're a way to manage large numbers of people. Think corporate cultures, religion, political parties, human rights, and even love and relationships. He gives a context to how we come to believe that's both history and myth. 
 
What an exciting MIND shift to consider beliefs as an imagined order, and it's an excellent conversation starter with family and friends!
 
The author asserts that there are prison walls around our beliefs built in these five ways:
 

1. You can't admit that your belief is imagined.
2. You educate and condition people thoroughly in the belief.
3. Your belief is in your mind but also woven into the physical world.
4. Your belief conditions what you want in the world.
5. If you're going to change anything, you must convince millions of people or at least your family, friends, and community that what you believe is true.

 
I usually hold my beliefs lightly so something new can penetrate the "walls" of my imagined order. But as I read this book, I realized that my beliefs are drenched in attachment. Love is the answer is not a belief. I'm right! Aren't I? Do I really know what I want, or does consumerism relentlessly shape what I want? The author asks insightful questions and has us look at these questions from a historical, economic, biological, cultural, and social perspective. I am still processing these concepts and look forward to many discussions on how we come to believe what we believe.
 
The last chapters of the book take on our pursuit of happiness. Do our beliefs make us happier or at least content? This book may not change your beliefs or make you happier, but it may cause you to wonder what's possible and reflect on how you came to be who you are.
 
Let me know what you discover!
May your day be filled with awareness.