What is Truth?

The concept of “truth” is such an intriguing topic to me. It seems humans are always so eager to dole out their individual, or collective, idea of what “truth” is as though it were “THE Truth.” I think why I am so intrigued by it is because we have seen throughout the course of history how, what is defined as “truth,” has consistently changed. Often in dramatic ways.

Once upon a time… we knew the earth was flat, the sun revolved around the earth, illness was caused through foul air, and by bloodletting you could heal or prevent disease. These are just some of the well-known and basic beliefs found in human history. If you do an internet search for “truths/facts that are no longer true,” you will begin to get an idea of how malleable the concept of “truth” is. Then again… don’t believe everything you read on the internet.

This examination of “truth” has been slapping me in the face a little bit lately. I see the word “truth” and phrases like “truth-teller” used more and more frequently – it seems to be the new sales pitch catch-phrase. To be honest, I feel an almost visceral recoil when someone uses the word to describe a profound new school of thought. While I obviously believe we are evolving, and our understanding of reality is changing as we grasp concepts that allow us to better comprehend and engage our universe, I think we humans have very little business qualifying anything as “truth.”

First and foremost, I feel this way based on the example I previously provided. We have seen “truth” change an innumerable number of times. Secondly, I believe our current limitations as a species disqualify us from claiming truth. We can’t even get along with our neighbors, we play with weapons that can annihilate all life on earth, it takes un an inordinate amount of energy to get off our planet – a planet we can’t even keep tidy enough to ensure our survival and enough resources for future generations, we deal with criminal behavior by throwing people in a cage with other criminals where they can learn to be better criminals thinking that will solve the problem… yah, I think that’s why I cringe when people – even people I agree with – use the word “truth.”

If you are at all familiar with my business, Your Individual EvoLution Directive – or YIELD, you might be able to appreciate why I feel so strongly about the topic. I believe the majority of what we experience as “truth” is subjective and is based on our own life experience and path. Someone who adheres to a specific religion will have their own version of “truth,” while someone in the scientific community may have a completely different idea of what “truth” is. Either way of relating to the world is fine, yet we get so caught up in making sure everyone agrees on what “truth” is. We put a lot of time and energy into trying to convince others that our “truth” is “THE Truth.” (Kind of like what I’m doing right now! 😉) Only to figure out somewhere down the road, we had it all wrong and “truth” has changed yet again.

At one point someone explained to me that the traditional Hebrew Bible could be interpreted in several different ways based on the reader’s level of spiritual understanding. While I don’t know if that’s true or not, I think that is one of the best ways of relating to “truth” – it’s relative to our understanding and perspective. I think Deepak Chopra’s book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, is one of the most helpful books when dissecting the concept of “truth,” simply because the laws aren’t so much identifying a “truth” as they are identifying ideas and practices that can guide you to your own truth. They are observations of how the Universe operates that allow you to engage from your own perspective.

For me, this is why I am so passionate about encouraging people to adopt an evolutionary mindset. A mindset that embraces the notion that we are constantly changing, what is true for us today may not be true for us tomorrow (individually or collectively). We always have the freedom to choose another path, one that allows us to dream bigger and love wider. When we qualify something as “truth,” to me it feels like nailing the lid on a coffin – I feel restricted, I can’t breathe. When I hold “truth” gently and think of it in terms of “what works for me today” (and might not work for me tomorrow), I give myself and others space to evolve. I can embrace potentials beyond the limiting confines of my box.

I do believe there are people throughout history and even in our current time who have had the privilege of connecting with Truth. However, I don’t believe those people are the same ones who will be telling you they have discovered “THE Truth.” Instead, I think if you were to meet one of these people and have a conversation about the truth, they would probably be very agreeable, don a Mona Lisa smile, and have a glint in their eye.

Ultimately, I’m not suggesting that you throw out your beliefs, preferences, or values altogether. Rather, I implore you to hold your truths firmly but gently. Firmly enough to provide you with a solid foundation, but gently enough that you can walk away should you discover your foundation is beginning to crack. It’s a fine line to walk, but it will serve you well in a world that is not yet evolved enough to demonstrate what “truth” truly is.

Happy Evolving!!