The Sober Shaman

The Sober Shaman

The Program

Lesson 17: Belief vs Reality

Which Is Stronger?

Randal Lyons's avatar
Randal Lyons
Mar 31, 2026
∙ Paid

What’s stronger: Belief or Reality?

Those of you who know me and have participated in one of my groups, know I’d rather facilitate (sometimes referee) an engaging discussion instead of delivering a preplanned monologue about “the way things are” in recovery.

And the question above is one of my surefire ways to get a good back-and-forth going.

Everyone involved falls into either the belief or reality side, with each side putting forth convincing arguments. Each side has examples from their own lives and experiences that prove their points. Each side can dig their heels in pretty good.

So who wins?

Well, that depends…

In this Lesson, we explore how these beliefs versus the reality of things help to form one’s personal perspectives, which then go on to perpetuate their Cycle.

Let’s begin…

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