Embracing Innocence: The Unexpected Power of Unknowing in a World Fighting for Beliefs
Have you ever watched a baby laugh? There’s something magical about it. It’s pure, untroubled by the heavy thoughts and beliefs we carry as grown-ups. Bentinho talks about a similar idea when it comes to how we deal with the world around us. He suggests that there’s real power in letting go of the need to fight for what we believe in, to instead approach life with an innocent mindset.
Now, many of us might think, “Hey, I can’t just ignore everything and be happy while there’s so much wrong in the world!” And that’s a fair point. We’re taught from a young age to stand up for what’s right and to change the world for the better. But what if the way we’re trying to change the world is actually making things tougher for ourselves and others?
Ben shares his experience, saying that fighting for our beliefs can lead to suffering, resistance, and even disease. Instead, he suggests we could benefit from “unknowing” the things we’re so sure about. This doesn’t mean forgetting everything or losing our intelligence. It means letting go of the insistence that we’re right and others are wrong.
Think about it like this: when you insist you’re right, it’s like putting up a wall. No one can get through, not even new, helpful ideas. But if you take down that wall, there’s room for more understanding and peace.
This idea isn’t new. In fact, the Bible says we should become like little children to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). This doesn’t mean we should be naive or ignorant. It means approaching life with a child’s openness and humility, ready to learn and experience the world without preconceived notions.
Ben’s insight comes from his own tough times. He’s not saying this from a place of not knowing pain or confusion. He’s been there. But through his journey, he’s found that innocence and openness bring more wisdom and peace than clinging to beliefs ever could.
So, what if we all tried this? What if instead of fighting for what we believe, we approached life with an innocent, open heart? It might sound too simple, but sometimes the simplest things are the most powerful.
Let’s consider for a moment living in that simplicity. We could still be smart, caring, and responsible, but without the heavy burden of always needing to be right. We could be in harmony with the world and with each other, like a wave flowing perfectly to shore.
Ben reminds us that this isn’t about losing our intelligence or common sense. It’s about allowing ourselves to be guided by a greater intelligence, one that we’re all a part of. It’s about being empty of our own need to be right and filled with the willingness to listen and understand.
In the end, it’s not about giving up the fight. It’s about changing the way we think about fighting. It’s about fighting less with others and more against our own insistence on being right. Because in that fight, the only winner is peace.
So let’s embrace that baby-like innocence. It might just be the most intelligent thing we can do.
“Righteousness is humanity’s greatest burden and obstacle at this point. Innocence is exactly what we need.” – Bentinho Massaro
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:3 (NIV). This verse echoes the idea of returning to a state of innocence and humility to access a higher form of wisdom.