working notes from the textual underground
Episode Summary:
What if belief wasn’t something you had to “find” or “wait for”—but something you could shape, install, and wield? In this episode, we explore one of the foundational principles of Change Magick: belief as a tool.
In times of heightened uncertainty, the external world—often chaotic and unpredictable—seems to close in on us. It’s easy to feel like the familiar pathways of decision-making, routine, and control have dissolved. This can feel unsettling, even threatening. But in these moments, there’s an invitation, though often subtle: to turn inward. We’re forced to seek a key within ourselves, a guide to navigate what feels like an ever-shifting landscape.
Carl Jung spoke of this very dynamic in terms of the individuation process—the journey towards self-realisation. When the outer world presents confusion, the psyche is compelled to reach inward, to face the deeper layers of the self. It’s no coincidence that in moments of global or personal crisis, we often encounter a surge of dreams, synchronicities, or a calling to explore the spiritual realm. The uncertainty becomes the catalyst for an inward pilgrimage.
If we think about uncertainty symbolically, it can resemble the Tower card in Tarot—a sudden upheaval, destruction of what was once stable. The Tower is frightening because it strips away the illusions of control and security. Yet, what often follows is not just destruction but revelation. When the old structures fall, we’re confronted with ourselves, raw and vulnerable but also ripe for growth.
As we’re forced inward, we might encounter the Hermit archetype. The Hermit carries his lantern in the dark, walking a path that only he can walk. It’s a deeply personal journey, and the light of his lantern comes not from outside, but from his own soul. In uncertain times, we become our own Hermits, seeking out the light within to guide us forward. That key, the one we search for in times of crisis, is rarely found in the external world. It’s forged in introspection, in confronting our shadows, and in embracing the unknown parts of ourselves.
The process of turning inward also invites us to question the narratives we’ve built. Much like we’ve explored before, the stories we tell ourselves shape our reality. In uncertainty, these stories may feel inadequate and brittle. But this is where transformation occurs. We’re given the chance to rewrite the narrative, to choose new metaphors that reflect our evolving understanding of ourselves and the world. We’re asked to look at our inner myths—those personal myths that guide our sense of purpose and meaning.
What happens when we allow ourselves to be inwardly focused, to hold space for not knowing? We begin to cultivate a different kind of vision. One that is not about predicting the future or controlling outcomes, but one that trusts in the process of becoming. Uncertainty, in this sense, is the fertile ground for transformation. It strips away the distractions and demands of the outer world, forcing us to confront the self and, in doing so, to encounter new layers of wisdom, creativity, and depth.
Much like the seed buried in the soil, there is a period of darkness and stillness before growth. That key, which we seek so desperately in moments of uncertainty, may not unlock the doors we expect. It might instead unlock a door we didn’t even realise existed—a door leading to a deeper sense of authenticity, connection to the soul, or a new path altogether.
As we are inwardly focused, we realise that uncertainty is not a void to be feared, but a space where the imagination and soul can rise to meet the unknown. We may stumble upon unexpected insights, creative sparks, or new levels of self-awareness. Like the Magician in Tarot, we discover that all the tools we need have been with us all along; we just needed the chaos to reveal them.
Uncertainty, then, is not a barrier—it is an opening, a liminal space, where we meet ourselves in a new way. The key we find within unlocks more than just survival. It unlocks growth, expansion, and the deepening of our personal mythology.
Attachment to beliefs is the greatest shackle. To be free is to know that one does not know.
In the quiet moments of our lives, when the noise of the world fades away, we are often left with the thoughts and beliefs that shape our reality. These beliefs, while comforting, can sometimes become the very chains that bind us, restricting our growth and limiting our perspective. Today’s reflection invites us to explore the liberating power of uncertainty and the profound freedom that comes from embracing the unknown.
The Weight of Certainty
We all carry beliefs—about ourselves, others, and the world around us. These beliefs are often inherited and shaped by our experiences, our culture, and our upbringing. They provide a sense of stability and identity, a framework within which we navigate our lives. But what happens when we become too attached to these beliefs? When they become rigid, unyielding, and absolute?
Attachment to beliefs can create a false sense of certainty, a rigid stance that leaves little room for growth or new understanding. It’s like holding tightly to a small piece of truth, convinced that it is the whole, while the vastness of reality remains unexplored. This attachment can lead to dogmatism, conflict, and a closed heart, shutting out the possibility of new insights, experiences, and connections.
The Freedom of Not Knowing
In contrast, there is a profound freedom in acknowledging that we do not know. This is not the same as ignorance; rather, it is a recognition of the infinite complexity of life, the understanding that truth is vast and multifaceted, and that our individual perspective is just one of many. To be free is to approach life with a sense of curiosity, openness, and humility, embracing the mystery rather than fearing it.
When we let go of the need to be certain, we open ourselves to wonder. We become like children, exploring the world with fresh eyes, unburdened by preconceived notions. This state of “not knowing” allows us to see things as they truly are, rather than through the lens of our conditioned beliefs.
The Courage to Release
Releasing attachment to beliefs requires courage. It asks us to step into the unknown, to let go of the comfort of certainty, and to embrace the fluidity of life. But in doing so, we discover a new kind of security—one that is not based on rigid structures but on a deep trust in the unfolding of life.
This is not a call to abandon all beliefs, but rather to hold them lightly with an open hand and an open heart. It’s about recognising that beliefs are tools, not truths, and that they can evolve as we do. When we are not shackled by the need to be right, we can engage with others in a spirit of genuine dialogue, learning from each encounter and allowing our understanding to expand.
Practical Reflection: Embracing the Unknown
Today, try this simple exercise: When you find yourself clinging to a belief—whether it’s about how things should be, what you think you know, or what you expect from others—pause and take a breath. Ask yourself, “What if this isn’t the whole truth? What if there’s something I haven’t considered?” Allow yourself to sit with the discomfort of not knowing, and notice how it feels to release the need for certainty.
Embracing the Day Ahead
As you move through your day, carry with you the awareness that true freedom lies in the openness to not knowing. In every interaction, every thought, and every decision, there is an opportunity to let go of the need for certainty and to embrace the flow of life as it is. Notice how this shift in perspective brings a sense of lightness, a sense of space, and a sense of peace.
Closing Thought
The world is full of mysteries, full of things we do not yet understand. But rather than seeing this as something to fear, let’s see it as an invitation to grow. When we release our attachment to our beliefs, we unshackle ourselves from the limitations of certainty and step into the boundless freedom of possibility. In this space, we find not only the truth but also the joy of discovery.
Affirmation for the Day:
I embrace the unknown with curiosity and openness. I release the need for certainty, trusting in the unfolding journey of life.
Let this reflection be a gentle reminder to approach today with an open mind and an open heart, free from the constraints of rigid beliefs. The path of not knowing is one of endless wonder, growth, and true liberation.
I’ve been playing around with beliefs this week. It’s so easy to get lost in our own beliefs. What I mean by that is most of us don’t question our beliefs. We just believe what we believe because that’s what we’ve always believed. Because our beliefs are built up over time, we forget the foundation on which the belief is built.
It’s like a house. Once the foundation has been laid, you build everything on top of it and you no longer notice the foundation until something like an earthquake comes along and rocks the foundation. Or the foundation was faulty to begin with, and time then reveals the effect of the fault on the house.
I thought I’d build a short microlearning module that gets you to explore your beliefs and the beliefs of others that might be holding you back or limiting you in some way.
Let me know how you get on with the exercise.
I’ve had this thought about identity. We believe we know who we are, but then there is the ‘who’ we really are, which I gather is the point of meditation and spiritual practice – to discover who we really are.
I often lack the patience to figure it out. That’s when life gets tricky and the wobbles start.