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 To Believe or Not to Believe:
The Social and Neurological Consequences of Belief Systems
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." Voltaire
Read Rahasya's interview in the Chico News & Review HERETo Believe Or Not To Believe is Being Featured in Magazines, Newspapers, and Online Across America and Canada. READ FEATURES & REVIEWS
If you are in the Sacramento area I've been invited to speak at the Sacramento Holistic EXPO on Feb 21st at the McClellan Garden Pavillion, 5640 Dudley Blvd. More information at www.HolisticLivingExpo.com
Reviews
"A fascinating and challenging book that encourages us to dare to doubt, because it is the questioning that makes us conscious. Understanding how our beliefs shape and limit our experience of life is absolutely essential right now, because we need to change the way we think if we are to solve the myriad personal and social problems we face today. This perceptive book points the way forward."
Timothy Freke, author of The Laughing Jesus, Lucid Living and How Long is Now?
"Why do we believe what we believe? Poe asks this critical question at a very critical time in history, and delves deeply into a mind-boggling examination of the neurology of belief, and the sociological consequences and implications for our future. The book covers the spiritual, scientific and psychological origins of belief, including the influence of the world's great religions, with input from scientists, researchers and spiritual leaders on how we can change those beliefs to empower ourselves, humanity, and the planet. The author devotes ample time to the neuroscience behind belief and comes to the stunning realization that our beliefs do indeed affect our brains, often with negative results. Poe's book is a comprehensive and enlightening look at what we have come to believe, personally and collectively, and why we must challenge the paradigms that no longer serve us."
MARIE D. JONES, author of "2013: End of Days or A New Beginning? - Envisioning the World After the Events of 2012"
Rahasya's detailed exploration of "belief" and the various ways in which it keeps us locked in destructive modes of thinking and experiencing life, is a wonderful addition to the modern spiritual library. Reading the book itself is an interesting exercise in watching the way "beliefs" operate in our lives. He explores a wide range of themes from an even wider collection of viewpoints. As the Buddha said, "Find out for yourself what is true."
Bill Martin, The Parent's Tao Te Ching (As seen on Oprah's Book Club)
WARNING: This book may change your world view!
Now, an enormous and unprecedented transformation in the human experience is underway. Our perception is expanding beyond the limitations of the five senses. We are becoming aware of ourselves as more than bodies and minds, molecules and enzymes. We are becoming aware of our lives as purposeful and our experiences as meaningful. Our focus is shifting from exploration of the outside world to the exploration of interior experiences and their relationships with the outside world. This is the new frontier of human inquiry, and all seekers of truth are being drawn to it. Gary Zukav, Soul Stories
Author Challenges Readers To Believe Or Not To Believe
A Comprehensive and Enlightening Look at the Social and Neurological Consequences of Belief Systems
In light of the obvious fact that on every level the world is not functioning well, author Rahasya Poe thinks that individuals need to start looking for the common denominator underlying world events and the decisions being made in every area of society. Below the superficial layers of society, one finds a simple common denominator that dictates most of everyone's actions - beliefs. Poe challenges readers and encourages them to doubt as he explains how beliefs are shaped and how they affect social and neurological factors in a perceptive new book, To Believe Or Not To Believe.
Thought-provoking, this book is an in-depth look at how individuals limit their conscious evolution by maintaining rigid belief systems that no longer serve them and are lacking any logic or reason considering today's advances in physics, neuroscience, and recent archaeological finds. Neuroscience has shown that people who meditate have much higher brain coherence than people who don't; this balance is thought to be the gateway for spiritual enlightenment, which could be viewed as a bio-neurological event. Through a better understanding of reality and one's relationship to it, humankind will be able to see through the veils of illusion that keeps everyone in constant conflict with one another.
Reflecting the words of Voltaire, "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities", To Believe Or Not To Believe includes interviews with Dr. Bruce Lipton, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Andrew Newberg, Fred Alan Wolf, Neale Donald Walsch, and more. The purpose of this book is to show through evidence that with the practice and maintaining of rigid beliefs, individuals set up deeply entrenched neural networks that not only reflect the limitations of one's beliefs but also limit and distort the way one sees the world.
"If we want to evolve and move on we must first release ourselves from our primitive past beliefs and superstitions, which is what this book is about-creating a new world by identifying and letting go of our outdated and dysfunctional beliefs," Poe says.
About the Author
To Believe Or Not To Believe: by Rahasya Poe
The Social and Neurological Consequences of Belief Systems
Publication Date: November 6, 2009
Trade Paperback; $19.99; 326 pages; 978-1-4415-8727-5
Trade Hardback; $29.99; 326 pages; 978-1-4415-8728-2
These are just a few of the people I have interviewed
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Rick Ray did a documentary called 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama. I was curious to know what he asked the Dalai Lama that may not have made it to the film. Some of the Dalai Lama's answers surprised me but it was his lack of answers that most intrigued me, like when he was asked if there was a solution to the conflict going on in the Middle East. The Dalai Lama said that the best thing to do would be to get everyone to come to a picnic and have a good time and not talk. This was his way, I think, of saying that the problem is communication. Until we can get all the religious groups to take a hard look at their divisive beliefs, communication is virtually impossible.
For more information on Rick Ray visit www.rickrayfilms.com
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Joe Dispenza, D.C. studied biochemistry at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. He has a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Neuroscience from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. Dr. Dispenza also received his Doctor of Chiropractic Degree at Life University in Atlanta, Georgia, graduating magna cum laude
If you haven't heard about Joe Dispenza from the moview What the Bleep Do We Know? you can learn more about him and his book Evolve Your Brainat www.DrJoeDispenza.com
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Masaru Emotowas born in Yokohama in July 1943. He is a graduate of the Yokohama Municipal University's department of humanities and sciences with a focus on International Relations. In 1986 he established the IHM Corporation in Tokyo. In October of 1992 he received certification from the Open International University as a Doctor of Alternative Medicine. Subsequently he was introduced to the concept of micro cluster water in the US and Magnetic Resonance Analysis technology. The quest thus began to discover the mystery of water. Dr. Emoto found that water can hold intention. This becomes obviously important when we consider the fact that we are made mostly of water.
For more information visit www.hado.net/dremoto/index.php
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Of course my book would not be complete without the input of Timothy Freke. Seldom do you get to hear someone speak so clearly about something so divisive as religious beliefs and still be in their hear and compassionate. He is the author of Lucid Living, Jesus Mysteries, and many more.
For more information visit www.timothyfreke.com
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Meeting with Gary Zukav has been on my list ever since I read The Dancing Wu Li Masters many many years ago. My wife and I met with him and his partner Linda Francis in Seattle while doing his Spiritual Partnership workshop.
For more information visit www.zukav.com
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Meeting with Bruce Lipton and having several interviews has been an adventure into the realm of the biology and cellular aspects of beliefs. He is the author of Biology of Belief. The photo was taken with Bruce and Margaret and my wife Dhara.
www.brucelipton.com
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Lynn McTaggart lives in London and wrote The Field and more recently The Intention Experiment. Lynn has had the opportunity to meet many neuroscientists and researchers so her input was invaluable.
www.theintentionexperiment.com
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Of course we had to visit Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations With God. His interview on this subject was quite rewarding in surprising ways.
www.nealedonaldwalsch.com
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Rollin McCraty is the head researcher for Heartmath Institute. There research lies in the area of bringing the heart in coherence with the brain. One of the things that came out in the interview was how people with rigid belief systems are out of coherence, or touch, with their hearts. Since a person receives massive amounts of signals from the heart to the brain, this is in no small part indicative of the disconnect we see with religious people in the fervor to "spread the word" at any cost.
www.heartmath.org
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I thought it would be important to see what Immaculee, a Rwanda survivor, would have to say about forgiveness. It's an easy task to point out what's wrong with our world but without learning to forgive the "others" we will perpetuate our situation indefinitely.
We shouldn't delude ourselves any longer, without learning to forgive and be compassionate we will never create a better world. There will always be a reason for retribution and revenge as the Middle east has graphically pointed out to us for the last 3,000 years.
www.immaculee.com
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Dan Millman is best known for his best selling book, The Peaceful Warrior which was made into a movie by the same name with Nick Nolte. Talking with him was a reminder that very extraordinary things happen to us when we least expect it and it's what we learn from those events and people that determine the depth of our character.
www.DanMillman.com
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Fred Alan Wolf, a quantum phycisist on the cutting edge for many years. He has never hesitated to step out beyond the safe confines of the academia. He is also known as Dr. Quantum for his work with bringing quantum physics to the younger generation to cultivate the desire to know more.
www.fredalanwolf.com
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Professor of physics at the University of Oregon and a member of its Institute of Theoretical Science, Dr. Goswami is a revolutionary in a growing body of renegade scientists who in recent years have ventured into the domain of the spiritual in an attempt both to interpret the seemingly inexplicable findings of their experiments... and to validate their intuitions about the existence of a spiritual dimension of life.
Amit Goswami had an interesting take on religious beliefs and the state of the world we live in. He also had some interesting ideas on what we can do to bring about change.www.amitgoswami.org
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Swami Kriyananda was probably one of the most gentle souls I have ever met with. He was one of Paramahansa Yogananda's first deciples and for many years has had the Expanding Light Retreat in Nevada City, CA.
At the age of 22, Swami Kriyananda began the adventure of his lifetime: the search for joy in God. His guide was the great yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda.
In the 60 years since, Kriyananda has become one of Yogananda’s foremost disciples, inspiring thousands all over the world. His two consuming desires are “to find God, and to help others find Him.”
www.swamikriyananda.org |
Drunvalo Mechizdedek is the author of four books including The Ancient Secrets of the Flower of Life, Volumes I and II, Living in the Heart and his newest one, Serpent of Light. These books have been published in 29 languages and reach out to over one hundred countries throughout the world. My wife and I met him many years ago after taking his Flower of Life workshop and then his Earth Sky workshop. His knowledge of sacred geometry and ancient history leave little doubt as to his authenticity. One reason why I put so much credibility on what he says is because of my personal experiences with him. I have seen things with my own eyes that left no doubt that he is an exceptional being.
www.spiritofmaat.com
www.spiritofmaat.com |
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If you haven't had the opportunity to watch the Global Brain by Peter Russell, you need to visit his website and order it soon. It is an axcellent way to introduce both young and old to the fact that we live on a planet that is in itself a living being.
www.PeterRussell.com
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Some of the topics covered with Andrew Newberg have to do with the importance of new information coming out of neuroscience in regard to exactly what happens in the brain when we "believe." His studies have shown:
- Not only do prayer and spiritual practice reduce stress and anxiety, but just twelve minutes of meditation per day may slow down the aging process.
- Contemplating a loving God rather than a punitive God reduces anxiety, depression, and stress and increases feelings of security, compassion, and love.
- Fundamentalism, in and of itself, is benign and can be personally beneficial, but the anger and prejudice generated by extreme beliefs can permanently damage your brain.
- Intense prayer and meditation permanently change numerous structures and functions in the brain-altering your values and the way you perceive reality.
Visit www.andrewnewberg.com for more information. |
Byron Katie became severely depressed in her early thirties. She was a businesswoman and mother living in a little town in the high desert of southern California. For almost a decade she spiraled down into paranoia, rage, self-loathing, and constant thoughts of suicide; for the last two years she was often unable to leave her bedroom. Then, one morning in February 1986, while in a mental health treatment facility, she experienced a life-changing realization. Katie's experience was similar to spiritual awakenings described in Buddhist and Hindu traditions under various names; she calls it "waking up to reality." In that moment of enlightenment, she says,
I discovered that when I believed my thoughts, I suffered, but that when I didn't believe them, I didn't suffer, and that this is true for every human being. Freedom is as simple as that. I found that suffering is optional. I found a joy within me that has never disappeared, not for a single moment. That joy is in everyone, always.
Katie is not aligned with any particular religion or tradition. She is married to the poet and translator Stephen Mitchell, who co-wrote her first book, Loving What Is and her third book, A Thousand Names for Joy. My interview with "Katie" was a moving experience in itself. She is very clear and has obviously learned from her life experiences.
For more information on Byron Katie visit www.thework.com
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