Belief Clearing
In my article on Understanding the Law of Attraction, I emphasized the importance of belief in the manifestation process. If you do not believe in what you are trying to bring into your life experience, it simply cannot come to fruition. The process of discovering, acknowledging, and clearing the beliefs that block your manifestations is a deeply spiritual journey and, in addition to taking action, is our most important work. That’s why I’ve dedicated an entire article to the concept of belief clearing.
Clearing limiting beliefs is not just about thinking more positively; it involves updating and revising your personal convictions and belief system to match the frequency you want to vibrate at. Your beliefs should foster resilience and, most importantly, be authentic to who you truly are.
There are two types of beliefs: Empowering Beliefs and Limiting Beliefs.
Empowering beliefs drive us forward; they allow movement and align with the frequency of our manifestations. People guided more by their empowering beliefs tend to be happier in life. An example might be: if someone rejects me, it’s because they’re not for me, and I’m being protected and guided toward what is right for me.
Limiting beliefs, on the other hand, tend to hold us back. They keep us from taking steps toward our goals or block our manifestations, whether we realize it or not. Limiting beliefs are deeply ingrained convictions that constrain our thinking, actions, and ultimately, our lives. Often formed during childhood or acquired through repeated experiences and societal conditioning, these beliefs can serve as invisible barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential. Whether related to our capabilities, self-worth, relationships, finances, or health, limiting beliefs influence our decisions and shape our self-image.
What Creates Belief?
Environmental and social opinions are the most significant factors in how we adopt beliefs. After all, we are relational beings wired to depend on closeness with our caregivers and community for our survival. How many times have you verbalized a goal to someone in your family or community only to be told that you won’t achieve that goal? Or perhaps you attempted something and failed, resigning yourself to the belief that you can’t do it. Once reinforcement of an experience takes hold, your brain will latch onto it, creating that event as a belief about yourself or your abilities.
Years ago, when I was just a few years out of college, I came across a job posting that caught my attention. I remember thinking how great it would be to land that position and the potential growth it could bring. I applied, and I was invited to fill out an application and meet briefly with the hiring manager. We discussed my degree, work experience, goals, and qualifications. Before moving on to a second interview, they asked me to take a personality test, which was a requirement for all applicants. The test had about 30-40 questions or scenarios divided into two sections. The first half asked me to rate myself based on how I see myself; the second half asked me to rate myself based on how others perceive me. Piece of cake, I thought. A couple of days later, I received a call informing me they wouldn’t be moving forward with my application and thanking me for my interest. I asked about the basis of their decision, and they told me the exam revealed that I am stronger than I think I am. Isn’t that a good thing? No. Essentially, others believed more in me than I believed in myself. That realization stuck with me. My own doubts prevented me from moving forward. That’s where the process of digging deeper becomes important.
Let’s Dig Deeper
At their core, limiting beliefs are assumptions or perceptions that we accept as truths, even if they may be unfounded or inaccurate. For example, someone might believe, "I am not good at public speaking," "I will never be successful," or "I don't deserve love." These beliefs are often subconscious and can go unchallenged our whole lives unless we choose to dig deeper and clear them.
Overcoming limiting beliefs is an essential step toward manifestation, personal growth, self-actualization, and well-being. Various methods are available to support this transformation, from psychological therapies to self-help techniques.
What I have found most helpful is an approach called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which encourages individuals to challenge irrational beliefs and replace them with more constructive ones. This process involves tracking negative thoughts, examining evidence for and against them, and testing new behaviors. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is one of the most widely used psychological approaches for changing self-limiting beliefs.
I have also heard this method called the Socratic Method of clearing. The core idea of the Socratic belief clearing method is the Socratic dialogue, which is a structured conversation where a series of questions are asked to examine a particular belief. These questions are meant not only to challenge your understanding but also to explore the reasoning behind the belief.
There are many other methods you can use to identify and clear limiting beliefs, such as meditation, EFT (or tapping), hypnotherapy, and journaling, but for simplicity, I’m focusing on the Socratic method. It’s an enlightening technique to use and one that you can practice regularly. The process usually starts with identifying a limiting belief. Through skillful questioning, the method prompts individuals to express and defend their beliefs, often revealing inconsistencies, biases, or gaps in reasoning. Socratic questioning involves a careful mix of inquiry and patience, aiming not to dismiss beliefs but to uncover their basis.
When You Discover a Limiting Belief:
Here’s a simplified example using the Socratic and CBT-based method to clear the limiting belief: “I’m not good enough to succeed.”
Step 1: Identify the Belief
Question: What’s a thought or belief that causes you stress or holds you back?
"I believe I'm not good enough to succeed."
Step 2: Challenge the Assumption
Q: Why do you believe this is true?
A: Because I’ve failed in the past, and I often feel like others are better than me.
Q: Does failing in the past prove you're not good enough?
A: I guess not definitively. People fail and still succeed later.
Step 3: Examine the Evidence
Q: What evidence do you have that you are good enough or have succeeded before?
A: I’ve done well in some projects and received positive feedback at times.
Q: Can both be true that you’ve failed at times and succeeded at others?
A: Yes, both are true.
Step 4: Look for the Origin
Q: Where did you first learn to believe you weren’t good enough?
A: Probably from childhood, when teachers and family members were often critical of me.
Q: Is it possible they were projecting their insecurities or rigid expectations on you?
A: That makes sense. They had their own pressures.
Step 5: Explore the Consequences
Q: How does holding onto this belief impact your life now?
A: It keeps me from trying new things or going after opportunities.
Q: What would your life look like without this belief?
A: I’d take more risks and be more confident.
Step 6: Reframe the Belief
Q: If this belief were just a story, what more empowering story could you tell?
A: That I’ve grown through failure, and I’m learning and evolving. That I am capable.
Step 7: Integration
Q: What action can you take today that aligns with this new belief?
A: I can apply to that job I’ve been avoiding and get started on writing my cover letter.
Reclaim your Power
Overcoming limiting beliefs can be challenging. These beliefs are often tough to change because they are strengthened over time by experience and emotion. The process may cause discomfort or resistance as old patterns emerge. It requires patience, persistence, and self-compassion.
Furthermore, the work is ongoing. As life changes, new beliefs can form and old ones may reappear. Ongoing self-reflection and a willingness to grow are vital for staying free from limiting beliefs. Awareness helps make that easier.
The purpose of clearing limiting beliefs is to reclaim personal power and create a life with more freedom, possibility, and fulfillment. It involves shedding mental barriers and stepping into one’s potential with clarity. By confronting and changing these beliefs, people can not only transform their own lives but also inspire and uplift those around them. Plus, you will up-level your manifestations in ways you could of only dreamed of!
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~ Noel (Spiritual Rookies)