How to Use a Raft

Although I keep trying to look at each religion that we study through objective lenses, I find myself basing my opinion of them on my past experiences and my own upbringing. I judge whether a religion is worthy of being followed, or just a waste of time. However, since we’ve been studying a bit on Hinduism, Judaism, and now Buddhism, once I put myself in the shoes of a believer, I can’t seem to disapprove of the religion. There is lots of good merit to each one, and truth to be found immersed all throughout them.
For the reading about the Buddha, I find that I relate it a lot to what we have learned of Hinduism. It appears that clarity of mind and a sense of peace is honored above all else. Buddha seems to make it very simple for us by telling us that we can lead ourselves. Within ourselves is what we are looking for. “Be your own confidence.” He gives us an analogy of a man who uses a raft. If the man is reasonable, he will realize that it has been very useful to him in crossing the river and will leave the raft behind, as opposed to taking the raft (after he has used it to serve its purpose) and walking with it on his head wherever he goes.
I would think that this is what humans tend to do in their lives. I know I have. For example: Two years ago I was at the beginning stage in my relationship with a boyfriend I had- my outlook on relationships was different. Now that the relationship has ended, I have learned to have a different outlook on relationships, but I still find myself giving advice based upon the last feelings in the relationship. I know that the relationship served its purpose for the time that it lasted, and now that it is over, I don’t know if I should necessarily be so stubborn in my thought-processes. Instead of dragging that raft all over the place with me, perhaps I should open my mind to have another attitude towards relationships.