Thanks for all your comments on the last blog. Obviously relationships trigger something within us, which probably speaks to how we all innately feel the connection between us all. On another note, I happened upon a book in our house called "The Fabric of Self - Meditations on Vanity and Love" by John McAfee. Though some of the writing is classic new-age, he had a great quote on absolute truth (that which we all seem to seek). Since this concept has come up in several conversations this week, I thought I would share the passage with you, and then give my personal reflection on this (don't I always?). John writes
"Is there an absolute truth, a fundamental reality that is capable of being perceived, or is all truth relative? If truth is relative then it is individualistic--something that is filtered through our individual prejudices and limited by our sense inputs--and it is therefore fragmentary, tainted, and incomplete. So can it be the truth? Something that is incomplete or twisted by our prejudices is obviously less than the truth. Yet all our knowledge, by definition, is fragmentary and tainted by bias. The known by its very nature is relative and therefore limited. So if an absolute truth exists, it must exist beyond the scope of knowledge."
He ends the book by saying:
"Must we forever struggle blindly in the field of our own and others' deceptions, or is there not some absolute truth, some reality that exists independent of our past conditioning, which can be discovered? I say unconditionally that there is, and that it is hidden in the mirror of our existing relationship to the world."
Well, that is a mouthful. This is how I interpret this for myself. At the start of my current journey, I believed I could seek and find the "truth". I read many books, and tried to find the one "true" path that would work for me. But for all I read and heard, this absolute truth was relative to the person telling it to me. Anything I discovered for myself was also tainted by my own biases and experiences. I am starting to realize now that I may never know the absolute truth, but I can see it and live in it without really knowing what it is. I believe it is beyond my scope of understanding. But by eliminating my past conditioning, by seeing the world through my heart, through others hearts, that I can live in a way that reflects this absolute truth. In a way, I can live the truth without ever knowing what it is. Of course this feels counter intuitive to my nature. I feel that I have always quested for answers, seeking that which is "right". I have, because of my background in computers, come to realize that at least in that field there is never a "right" answer. I now have to extend that learning to myself in terms of the absolute. It is incomprehensible, but it does exist. I know I can experience it without "knowing" it, much like seeing a beautiful sunrise without needing to understand all the scientific truths that make it so wonderful. I can revel in the fact that this absolute exists, and that it is reflected in everything around us. Does the real answer matter anymore? What matters is how we live and recognize the beauty in everything around us.
Thanks to my parents, who taught me how to enjoy reading, which in turn allows me to open my mind to ever more possibilities in my life. I see people around me who were never cared for, and never encouraged, and realize more each day how fortunate I have been in my life to have so many who cared.
I love you all.
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5 comments:
Thanks for the commentary, Wayne. Interesting stuff.
Please excuse my inane skepticism but why do we need to be looking for/finding a "truth"? Isn't it possible to be content without believing in a truth? Maybe you were getting at this when you talked about the sunset.
Another random idea: there are a lot of implications that result from having such a nebulous and individual concept of truth. I.e. can I tell my neighbor to stop kicking his dog when kicking dogs is part of his conception of truth?
-Joe G.
That is of course my point, that we don't need to search for a truth. But I do believe that goes against our nature. Isn't furthering our education just another way to try to understand things, be it science, history, english? And the also is the individual concepts of truth are tainted, as you have shown with your kicking the dog example. That is why they aren't absolute. To understand this helps us understand our neighbor better, and as opposed to judging we can perhaps persuade him to challenge his beliefs, not necessarily to make him believe like us, but to come to a higher level of understanding of his own. Isn't that what we have to do with foreign policy, stop judging and help give them a vehicle to look at their beliefs and see how they can change to better fit in a modern world?
Perception is reality, we each have our own individual truth, that we arrive at thru the filter of all the experiences we have had that make us unique and individual. That is truth... if you know your own and have peace with it... that is all you need. To me, it is not important what you believe, but THAT you believe. That you have the capacity to have faith and belief. Same with love… it is not important who you love, or how you love (HEY... Sometimes it should be kept behind closed doors and in the privacy of your home ;), but it is IMPORTANT that you love… these are the things that make us human.
All the searching and questioning is part of that journey, the smarmy new-agey bookisms, along with any other experiences you have. They are all fundamental to one finding one's truth. Eat the meat and spit out the bones (there is *MY* new-agey-ism)...
MWHA!!!
Truth. I see this topic having three facets.
Truth in daily life: Did he say something rude to me, or was it my ears that heard a rude comment where no disrespect was intended. We all view actions, words, events through our own filters and see our own version of what really happened. I am sure I asked you to take out the garbage and you are sure I merely suggested it. Models for communication, expected behavior and life experiences all influence our view of the world and our personal truth. It is very hard to remember your filters, but we try.
Truth in personal path: This is one I know little about, but have known people in my life who have sought the truth for them, as you do. Something akin to a purpose, as John Irving described in "A Prayer for Owen Meany". The only purpose I have felt has been to care for my loved ones and find joy in life.
Truth in spirituality: This one creates many debates. I attend a church nicknamed “the church of the 10 suggestions” due to its liberal theology, and acceptance of anyone’s truth in spirituality. Some see our church as lacking direction or conviction. I see it as an open, friendly environment where any search for the holy is accepted, nurtured and shared. I love my church. It is a wonderful place to experience what we can of the holy, and accept all that we can not know. The quotes you pulled from John McAfee remind me how blessed I am to have found such an open community to pursue that which is holy in our world.
Sheri
Maybe we should just be satisfied with Truthiness - Stephen Colbert
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