But everyone does.
What do people believe caused the universe?
You can believe the universe has no deeper cause.
You can believe there is a cause, but that nothing meaningful can be known about it.
Or you can believe that what exists inside the universe teaches us something about its Source.
Maimonides argues that if everything depended on something else, and there were no first cause, nothing would ever exist.
That means existence itself points beyond the universe.
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What kind of Source does the universe point to?
The universe contains laws, patterns, mathematics, life, consciousness, choice, relationship, and the ability to give.
Those things matter.
When you study what exists, you can ask what kind of Source makes sense as the cause of it.
A universe filled with order and intelligence points toward an intelligent Source.
A universe containing real choice points toward a Source that is not forced by something outside Himself.
A universe filled with giving, life, and relationship points toward a Source whose goodness is not accidental.
And because the Creator is not dependent on creation, His desire to give does not make Him needy or incomplete.
He gives because He chooses to give.
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How do these beliefs reach your nervous system?
These beliefs do not stay in the mind.
They shape the emotional world your nervous system lives inside.
If you believe reality is ultimately random, your nervous system learns to live inside a reality with no final purpose.
If you believe the deepest cause of reality is completely unknowable, your nervous system learns to live with uncertainty about the most basic questions of existence.
If you believe reality comes from an intelligent and giving Creator, your nervous system learns to live inside a reality where meaning, responsibility, relationship, and goodness are built into existence itself.
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Why does belief in a Creator make awe easier?
That changes what emotions become easier to feel.
Beliefs about the Creator can make awe easier because you begin to notice that you are living before a Source far beyond what you can fully understand.
Awe contains wonder, humility, and healthy fear.
Wonder, because reality contains wisdom far beyond your own.
Humility, because you are not the Source and you do not control the whole story.
Healthy fear, because your choices are real and matter.
Then trust and appreciation can deepen both awe and love.
That intimacy can contain joy because some goodness is already revealed, and sadness because you want more of that goodness to be revealed.
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Why does studying creation matter?
So beliefs are not only opinions.
They become part of the reality your nervous system practices living inside every day.
That is why studying creation matters.
The universe is filled with patterns.
You can study those patterns, think about what they imply, and use them to build more reasonable beliefs about their Source.
The goal is not blind belief.
It is to look carefully at reality and ask:
“What kind of Cause best explains what is here?”
“Your beliefs about the cause of the universe are usually based on what you notice within the universe itself.”
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Related guides:
The only Healthy spiritual beliefs for the nervous system, it’s not atheism or Buddhism: Beliefs are not only an idea in your mind
Psychology of prayer explained: Emotional numbness is often not emptiness
Why is suffering built into creation? The Infinite Creator wants creation to be full of revealed goodness
How to relate to the Creator in a healthy way: The word G-d is a descriptive name
Questions people ask
Does everyone have a belief about the cause of the universe?
Yes. Many people think they hold no beliefs about it, but everyone does. You can believe the universe has no deeper cause. You can believe there is a cause but that nothing meaningful can be known about it. Or you can believe that what exists inside the universe teaches you something about its Source.
What did Maimonides say about the first cause?
Maimonides argues that if everything depended on something else, and there were no first cause, nothing would ever exist. The article uses that to show existence itself points beyond the universe, which is why studying what is already here is a fair way to ask what kind of Source explains it.
Is believing in a Creator the same as blind faith?
No. The article says the goal is not blind belief. The universe is filled with patterns, and you can study those patterns, think about what they imply, and use them to build more reasonable beliefs about their Source. It asks you to look carefully at reality first.
Which emotional skills grow from awe?
Awe carries three emotional skills: wonder, because reality contains wisdom far beyond your own; humility, because you are not the Source and do not control the whole story; and healthy fear, because your choices are real and matter. Trust and appreciation then deepen awe into love, and that closeness can hold joy and sadness.
Explore the NextSelf Blog. Start with this post explaining the world of souls. And my Youtube.
The blog lists all the difference patterns to study, understanding patterns is how one can develop 'Daas' [felt knowing].
Update: As awe, trust, and love deepen, they can allow greater openness and intimacy with the Creator. That intimacy can include sadness when you notice how much more of His goodness can be revealed.