As far as beliefs go, when I read or learn of something new I process it and go with my own instincts or gut feelings. Most of the time they steer me in the right direction.

I think that it's a combination of both going with your gut on what you feel to be true or real, and also guidance from the insights and beliefs of others as well. Both of these can help you cultivate what you consider to be your own beliefs. And no matter what you believe, nothing is ever the way it should or shouldn't be or right or wrong, just as long as you understand how it makes you feel and it's something that's important to you, that's all that matters! Good Day!

There is something hidden in beLIEf that must be avoided. Don't take anothers word for it. Do not beLIEve, you must know for yourself! If you seek you shall find. Don't take my word for it. Suss it out.

Yes it is! At least at the early stages. You believe what you are taught to believe by parents, spiritual leaders, teachers etc. until you reach of age to come into your own understanding. (Some people)

Lemme explain. I grew up in a very strict Roman Catholic house, (Church every Sunday at 6:00 am)went to Catholic schools involved in everything in the church. But we have something called Best Village on television( where villages from various parts of the country come together and compete to decide which village is the best). I live in Trinidad and Tobago and anyone who knows the history..here was built on slavery and sugar cane(like most Caribbean islands) Anyway, they would be dances and chants with drumming and I would be so mesmerized that I would dance and dance while trying to learn the songs. Would have dreams that I did not understand. Until I was about fifteen and invited to something called a Feast. It is from there I understood my dreams, questions that I asked began to be answered and I began to understand myself. I found where I belonged. Believe me it was contrary to EVERYTHING! that I learned as a child, was not main stream religion and was looked down upon by society.

It took me a while of wrestling with myself about what is right and wrong. Was condemned by alot of people for the path that I choose, still am(they say it is not of God) but today I am stronger than ever in my new way of life (Orisha) and it has been a wonderful eye opening life experience and I would not have it any other way!

There is a bit inside all of us that can recognise a 'truth' that vibrates with us.
Read - lots and widely, find something that resonates with you and follow it. What you follow may not be where you end up but merely a step along the way, a stage you have to go through.
If you need an image think about this: a diamond reflects the light through it's many facets, we can look through these facets and see 'the light'. Some people look through one and take it as their truth, others look through adiametrically opposed one and take that as their truth - it's the same light, just diffent views of it. My window is Taoism but it's not for everyone, so go look.
We have an old adage: When the student is ready, the Master awaits. Tread cautiously however the world is full of charlatans (and so is MB).