What is Dogma?
By: Karissa Kocjancic
Tags: Dogma, Joy, Power, Vulnerability, Connection

Are you living your life according to it? And what to do if you want more.

Photo by Mubariz Mehdizadeh on Unsplash

Wikipedia defines dogma as the broad sense is any belief held unquestioningly and with undefended certainty. It may be in the form of an official system of principles or doctrines of a religion, such as Roman Catholicism or Protestantism, as well as the positions of a philosopher or of a philosophical school such as Stoicism. In laymen's terms I would simplify the definition by providing the perspective that dogma is simply living your life in accordance to a belief system cultivated by an external source rather than your own curiously explored and cultivated value system. What does it look like for someone to live their life by way of dogma? In our culture and society most people have consciously or subconsciously found themselves chasing the “Three P’s” in life; Power, Prestige, and Possessions.

The hedonic treadmill has left our culture in constant search of their next dopamine high by way of consumerism, social media attention, and the nervous system highs brought on by chasing the next sexiest thing. This has left most depleted. In a state of feeling empty and that nothing is ever enough. Once you achieve your goal of the next shiny person, place, or thing, you want more, and more, and so viciously perpetuates the cycle. This type of behavior is so embedded in the psyche of our society that most people would define it as normal, and rarely stop to question why their lives feel empty and meaningless.

The answer to solving this problem is both simple and complex: We are human beings. We are not machines. We are meant to do more that eat, sleep, work, fuck, rinse and repeat. We are not animals, however, our primitive instincts have us in a constant state of pleasure seeking. So what actually makes human beings happy? What has worked for us in the past before our society wreaked of narcissism, and self serving behaviors that devoid us from connection belonging vulnerability and authenticity. As human beings what we intrinsically desire to be happy is a sense of connection and a feeling of belonging. This can be cultivated through community, and feeling seen, heard, and known. Showing up with our bloody, sweaty, beaten and bruised bodies, minds, and owning our story. Saying Hi this is who I am and what I have been through. This is what I struggle with. And then hearing the response, “me, too.” This validates the human experience and solidifies that one is not alone in their journey. It demystifies the shame created when our mind lies to us to believe that we are wrong or faulty for feeling the natural spectrum of emotions and constant pain that comes by simply living the human experience. And it is necessary for our healing. It is necessary for our happiness. It is necessary to give life to our stories, our pain, our happiness, and allow them to breathe life and truth outside of our body. This is how we get to know ourselves, and others, this is how we create authentic connections that are derived by our need for belonging. This is how we discover that the mind body and vessel we encompass at this very moment is in fact lovable just as we are. This is how we kick dogma to the curb, and say, “I have tried this, and it doesn’t work.” Now corrective action. It’s beautiful and necessary. When we do the things that bring us pain, or lack of joy, we then have cultivated the insight and awareness to apply deductive reasoning and try something new. Being a beginner takes great courage. The first step is always the hardest. But that’s the one most important to take. Because with every choice to be vulnerable. To let your truth live outside your body. To say this is who I am what I’ve been through and what works and hasn’t for me. You allow yourself to find authentic connections with people who can validate and empathize with your experience. And It is with each moment we choose truth and courage, that we reconnect with our higher self, trust ourselves, and lead the light of encouragement for others to participate in this same act of bravery. You allow yourself to grow courageously and become your own teacher. You become a conduit of truth and authenticity. It becomes less about you, and more about the experience of leading the light to others to do the same. And that is the secret sauce. When you realize a life of service, passion and purpose is more fulfilling than power, prestige and possession could ever hope to give you. You live a through you life, rather than an at or around. After all, the only way out is through. And we must take action to heal. Hence why I named my coaching practice www.action-based-healing.com

So will you continue to live in dogma. Societies rulebook that we must chase and pursue the 3 P’s “Power, Prestige, and Possession.” Or will you take a moment and breathe and ask yourself if those 3 things have ever given anything back to you that is truly fulfilling. When you obtain power, prestige, or possession, do you feel light hearted, warm, loved for the soul that resides with you? Or do you feel empty, dissatisfied and wanting more? If so I invite you to take the leap and explore a more passionate and purposeful life. What would that look like for you? & are you courageous enough to be a beginner and find out? If so reach out to me at kkocjancic13@gmail.com and lets chat! May this be of service to you. May you know that you are worthy of living a life that brings you genuine joy and happiness. Hop on my scheduler and lets have a free 30 minute call.