The truth shall set you free. A very old and a very wise statement. However finding out exactly what the truth is and what the truth isn’t is a very hard thing to do. Every day we are exposed to all sorts of lies, half-truths, and things that are spun this way and that for various different reasons. Whether it’s religions, the media, politics, businesses, or just humans in general the truth is rarely if ever spoken.
And it gets harder and harder for people to find the truth, regarding just about any subject out there. Finding the truth is like finding a nugget of gold in a field of coal with a thick fog and heavy rain coming down on you. Except truth (unlike the gold) is worth far far more to you and is much more valuable. But the analogy sticks, finding truth is no easy matter and is something that must be worked for.
Whenever what you believe has come whole stock from someone else then you can pretty much rest assured that there will be at least some lies in it. This counts for anything ideologies, systems of doing things, religions, philosophies, disciplines, and anything else created by the minds, hearts, and hands of man. While most contain at least some truth one needs to sift and sort to get what is really needed.
Questioning & Going Deeper
One of the best ways to find truth is to question things. Including if not especially sacred cows. Now there are groups that say they are for having an open mind and all for this but they’re lying. These groups are just groups that don’t currently have power or take power through expressing weakness. Question any of these groups sacred cows and they’ll turn you on you just like any other. Just look at the politically correct “peace and tolerance” crowd. Question them and they’ll turn the inquisition on you.
It’s hypocrisy but such is man. This is more something that you should do yourself. There are many things that I know to be true but that I wouldn’t say in a professional work environment and some things that I wouldn’t even share with friends and family or even on this site. The truth while setting your free and dropping the scales from your eyes (sometimes you’ll want the scales back on) is also a dangerous and combustible thing.
Most aren’t ready for truths about a great number of things in life. Sometimes it’s something like a relationship other times it bigger things like how the world functions as a whole. Usually you’ll have to go through stages to get to the truth. Because the truth itself is usually indigestible with one fell swoop. It has to be taken by little drops, bits and pieces, that are assimilated before one can start taking bigger chunks.
What To Do With The Truth
Then when one has truth do not think that life is all sunshine and roses, if anything it’ll be the opposite. Truth and wisdom while setting one free can also be the heaviest of burdens. Ignorance is bliss in a way (until it’s not, but that’s a topic for another time). I guess it comes back to that whole dichotomy if you value freedom over safety. If you value freedom you will pursue the truth and all the consequences that come with it.
If you value safety you’ll figure it’s not worth it and stay in the relatively safety of the bubble. And maybe if you’re lucky (born in the right time/place/right people/etc.) that bubble won’t burst and you’ll remain safe. But that’s not something I’d necessarily count on. Pursue truth and don’t accept the first answer that you get keep seeking. Remember those that seek and continue seeking shall find.
Though what was left off was that what they find might not be pretty, as a matter of fact it might be downright horrific. Eyes opened cannot be closed, what is known cannot be unknown, and what is seen cannot be unseen. So tread carefully. Put another way the truth is illuminating but the landscape is harsh. Some things you won’t want to see but you will, but in the end your soul will be better for it.
