4.3.1 Dismantling Certainty

To perceive something truly new, one must relearn to let go of all that they have previously believed. Most people tend to jam new ideas into the outdated, comfortable paradigm, regardless of how poorly they fit. So one starts to change the vocabulary used to describe things since they don’t fit, changing the meanings of the words in the process. We already mentioned how challenging and life-altering it is to accept a new paradigm. But if one is unable or unwilling to let go of certainty, it is impossible to even start. At this point, we would want to pause and make the ridiculous claim that you, the reader, have not understood what we have said. This isn’t because the concepts are too complex; rather, it’s because you are interpreting them according to a different paradigm than that which gave rise to them.

Take a minute to consider your reading of this material, or even better, reread it with the following questions in mind.

• Did I find myself attempting to fit these concepts into an existing framework?
• Did I unquestioningly believe that I was already carrying out the indicated behavior?
• Did I get frustrated with the terminology, wishing to replace it with words that made more sense and flowed more easily?
• Did I move a notion that was new or difficult for me to understand toward me rather than the other way around?

You are not alone if you identify with one or more of these questions. One’s paradigm determines one’s reality, and it is difficult to shake off its influence. This is why the first step in pursuing genuine transformation is knowing how to demolish one’s convictions and make room for a wholly foreign reality.