I've brought a considerable amount of suffering on myself through two basic, but rarely questioned beliefs:

Being Right: I can't count the number of times in the past that I've sent myself spiraling into cycles of depression through feeling as though I need to be right about something. I don't know how much time I've wasted arguing, bickering or fighting with people over this, not just online but in daily life too and I now see clearly just how damaging this can potentially be if we continue to believe that we need to be proven right about something, or proving someone else wrong.

If we look at what's involved in "being right" we can see, if we honestly and thoroughly examine the beliefs and opinions we hold, that what we think is "right" is nothing more than a reflection of our own reality tunnel, the social conditioning and instinctual programmes which have been passed down to us through our environment, upbringing and numerous other factors which are rarely, if ever, questioned by the majority of the world.

I'm not saying that it's not possible to be "right" about something, but there is no benefit to be had in causing yourself more suffering by trying to fight to prove it. State your case, by all means, but when the need to be right begins to cause you to suffer then it's time to question what it is that you're fighting for, or why you have a stake it in.

Getting Even: The same goes for "getting even", that niggling need to get back at someone for some perceived wrongdoing against you. I've went to extraordinary lengths in the past to get back at people, and I mean crazy, dangerous stuff which could have gotten me killed or jailed, and all because I believed that I had some reason to get even with that person!

A few years ago, I was going to crucify someone with a nail gun because they tried to stab my brother, but fortunately I had the sense to sit down and examine the possible consequences of my actions, look at what could potentially happen were I to pursue this course of action and realize that no benefit would be had by me or anyone else. This is the ridiculous lengths that we go to so that we can get back at someone!

I'm a pretty reasonable, laid-back guy but I know that as long as the human condition exists then shifts to this level of violence are entirely possible with the right set of circumstances. We're seeing it right now in the UK with all the rioting and looting, crowds of youths claiming that they're smashing the place up to get their own back on the police and the perceived injustice of society.

The reason for this post is to point out these two beliefs and their potential for suffering as long as we invest them with emotion. I've been guilty of both too and even recently, on the RT site, I made an arse of myself by trying to prove I was right and caused myself, and no doubt some people on that site and here, a load of unnecessary suffering. What did it achieve? Anger. Frustration. Unhappiness.

Why?!
What am I trying to defend?
Why do I need to be right?
Why would I need to get even?

I renounce the need to be right. I renounce the need to get even.