What is Truth, and How do I Discern it?

Q&A Tuesday

Submitted Question

Hey Tiger, what is truth, and how do I discern truth above and beyond all the other truths people want me to believe?

-B.B. Winchestertonfieldville, Iowa

Answer

Lol. I like it. I see there being two issues to deal with here. One being Truth, and the other being Belief. Truth being that which we can know for certain without doubt, belief being something that lives in the realm of possibility. When someone says… “I believe in this.” They’re not really proclaiming truth (even though they think they might be), more or less they are proclaiming a possibility they resonate with; which may or may not be helpful to them.

Discovering truth, for most I would imagine is more of a process of acknowledging what you don’t know. Releasing the control we think we have, by realizing we know very little. But it is this “very little,” that is all we need to be with all that we are. Most of what we think we know, for sure, is really a preconceived notion based on our past experiences and future expectations; not dealing with “Truth” at all. In the process we don’t discern the difference between belief and truth, and just mix it all together; with an end result that looks much like our world today. It’s kinda like judging others, none of the judgmental thoughts are based in truth. That’s the whole point, when you are in truth, it is impossible to judge.

An example of belief… the Bible. To say that the bible is 100% truth, without error, and directly from the mouth of God (as if god actually had a mouth), is irresponsible and reckless. Why? Because you can never know for sure, without doubt, you can only know what others have told you and through what you have experienced. At best all you can do is believe very strongly. You weren’t there, you weren’t him, you can’t know for certain. The challenge comes when we identify with these beliefs “to the point” that they are our identity, as if it makes up who we are, then our identity isn’t based on truth, it is then based on an idea; which can be dangerous.

It doesn’t mean that our beliefs don’t have value, it simply encourages us to keep things in perspective. Understand it as something that offers value and guidance, rather than defining who you are, and who everyone else is or is not. For myself, I find it almost irrelevant if what happened in the past was true or false, because the past is gone and it has nothing to do with what I’m doing right now. You could grow up believing a fairy tale (like santa clause) and gain value from it, but if you’re identity is attached to it, when the cats out of the bag their will be suffering. There is another 10,000 words to write on this subject but I’ll stop here. Hope this will suffice.

P.s.

Questions to ask?

• What Really Exists?  The Past? Does it, or is it gone; only living in your mind through memory? How about the future?
• Do I know for certain that if I try, I will then fail? Or just I just believe I will fail?
• Does my past equal who I am, or do I just believe it does?

Do you see how it’s almost like removing an old skin, an old idea that may have held you back? If you discover your belief as just an idea and become worried, who ever said you have to let it go? If you find value in it, value in a way where you experience some deeper understanding about life and it brings a greater sense of peace, and assist you appropriately, then continue on with a deeper understanding; just “know” what you’re dealing with.

P.s.s.  If what I wrote about bothers you, in any way, Question that thought and understand this feeling as it relates to your need for control.

I encourage you to ask additional questions on the subject that may lead to additional interpretations to share with others.

Did you find genuine value within this post? If you did, then most likely you know someone else who will as well. I invite you to share the goodness!
Namaste -Tigmonk