5 Roots - 1. Turning Belief Into Power

The ancient Buddhist concept of Ogun, meaning "five roots," reveals profound truths about human nature and consciousness that modern psychology is only beginning to understand. These roots exist beneath the surface of our awareness, operating in what we might call the unconscious or subconscious mind, much like Freud's iceberg metaphor where only the tip is visible above water while the massive foundation remains hidden below.

The first and most fundamental of these roots is belief, which extends far beyond religious contexts into every aspect of human experience. When we drive through green lights, we demonstrate faith that other drivers will stop at red. When we eat at restaurants, we believe the food isn't poisoned. Every forward-facing element of our lives involves faith in unknown outcomes, from career planning to relationships to simply trusting that tomorrow will arrive.

This belief mechanism operates through what science recognizes as placebo and nocebo effects. Research documents cases where patients receiving sugar pills experienced actual side effects they were warned about, including heart palpitations and emergency room visits, despite no active medication being present. The belief itself triggered real biological responses, demonstrating the tangible power of mental conviction over physical reality.

The transformation from Ogun to Oryok represents the journey from unconscious roots to conscious powers. When we don't understand how to direct our beliefs, they control us rather than serve us. Consider the person with bridge phobia who intellectually knows the structure is safe yet cannot cross it. They possess tremendous belief power, but it's misdirected toward irrational fear rather than toward confidence in engineering and personal capability.

Children naturally exercise belief through imagination and creativity, but adults often discourage this capacity in favor of rigid logic and rationality. This approach inadvertently weakens the belief muscle, leaving individuals vulnerable to negative influences and self-doubt later in life. When someone develops the power to direct their belief consciously, they can counteract destructive messaging and maintain focus on their chosen path.

The practice involves recognizing belief as an active force rather than passive acceptance. Like martial arts training or fire drills, belief requires regular exercise to become reliable during challenging moments. Without this preparation, individuals become prisoners of whatever beliefs happen to capture their attention, whether from social media criticism, peer pressure, or internal negative self-talk.

Understanding and developing conscious belief represents fundamental human empowerment, allowing people to navigate life's uncertainties with intention rather than being swept along by unconscious patterns and external influences.