What is Truth?
Finding a new truth...
Lots of people say they seek truth. Some even talk about “absolute truth.”
…but…
Truth is just our current understanding of a given subject.
As our understanding expands, our truths change also.
New knowledge, new experience, new understanding adds to the previous version of the truth which creates the new truth.
Absolute truth...
Absolute truth is an ideal to be pursued but never attained, since there is always more to learn about any subject, which can then upgrade the truth.
It’s a trap to believe you have ultimate understanding such that you stop questioning and searching. Thinking you are “too smart to look” can lead to truth stagnation.
Acknowledging you will never possess absolute truth, but only a current version based on limited understanding, allows your truth to continue to grow.
Truths change all the time...
…as our understanding expands, we develop more complete truths and better “models” to explain observed phenomena.
Some past “truths” include: that the earth was flat; the sun revolved around the earth; blood letting was an effective medical treatment; and demons could possess the body. The idea that tiny invisible organisms played a part in disease was ridiculous.
All of these “truths” were overturned due to
increased understanding.
We now know the earth revolves around the sun; blood letting is of little value; mental illness or seizures are more likely causes than “demons”; and that by controlling microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, infection and diseases can be greatly reduced.
If some past truths were false,
What current “truths” are also incorrect?
A medical school professor once told me that he tells his students probably half of what they’re being taught will eventually be proven wrong.
Part of their job throughout their medical careers is to find out what information they were taught is correct, and which is not.
What better models will be developed to explain what we observe?
What better techniques will be developed based on increased understanding?
What are YOU still believing...
that is no longer true, or never was?
How we observe...
We observe the world around us with our five senses, but just because we cannot see, hear, smell, taste, or touch something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
Radio waves, magnetic fields, radioactivity are examples of things that exist, but are invisible without instruments to make them known.
What else exists
that is currently invisible to us?
Furthermore, which truths do we choose to see, and which do we choose to ignore?
How do new truths emerge?
Emerging truths go through three stages.
FIRST, they are Ridiculed…
SECOND, they are Violently Opposed…
THIRD, they are considered Self Evident.
Once accepted, it’s almost unimaginable that earlier “truths” EVER existed, given the new truths seem…
…so obvious.
What is the value of truth?
The real power of new truths lies in their ability to IMPROVE LIVES.
Are you open to new truths?
New truths are often opposed...
Some people resist new truths because they find them threatening or uncomfortable.
They may be heavily invested in old truths they’ve supported and defended for years.
New truths are proposed by Innovators. Then they make their way to the Early Adopters, then the Late Adopters and eventually, to the Laggards.
Which are you?
Are you a questioning observer?
For years it was noted candy bars melted near certain microwave radio equipment, but it took Percy Spencer to investigate and figure out how to harness the phenomenon.
Today, using microwave ovens to heat food is commonplace (despite microwaves being invisible to our five senses).
Radioactivity was discovered after sealed photographic plates became exposed in the presence of certain rocks.
Many dismiss phenomenon that challenges current understanding, but the curious few who investigate with courage and open minds can change the world.
How about you?
How do you separate true from false?
How do you avoid falling for falsities?
No one wants to be naive or gullible.
How do you separate “hogwash” from “holy”?
How do you prove anything?
Some “truths” can be “proven” by observation.
Most people agree water boils at 100C because this behaviour can be…
…independently verified.
But travel to a mountaintop and you’ll find water boils at less than 100C due to the lower atmospheric pressure.
So, some “truths” are “true” only under specific conditions.
Some truths are subjective...
Other “truths” are subjective. “People can’t be trusted”, “you must struggle to get ahead”, “life is tough”, versus “people are so kind”, “things always come easy for me”, “life is fun” are all subjective truths.
What is true for one is not necessarily true for another. Each statement can be true or false depending on the individual.
These are personal truths.
It doesn’t really matter if they are true for others.
What’s more relevant is are they true for you?
Everything you perceive is filtered...
Truth is affected by the aspects of information we focus on, which in turn is influenced by our previous experiences and feelings, which then influence our thoughts beliefs and expectations.
Everything you perceive is filtered through your thoughts, beliefs, feelings, emotions and expectations, which create your experiences.
Your perception of your world is affected by your
intention, your attention and your focus.
For example, if you’re determined to find a problem, you’ll find one.
If you focus on the problems you’ve found and magnify them, you’ll find more.
If you talk about them, blog about them, share them on social media, push against and protest them and wear coloured ribbons to highlight them, your life will be filled with problems until you can see little else.
They will crowd out and rob you of the fun, laughter, appreciation and beauty which are also there.
What we expect, we intend...
What we intend, we create...
This is especially true when we have strong emotional associations and feelings about the subject.
In this way, we each create our own subjective truths, which are every bit as real to us as any objective truth that could be quantified, measured, and agreed upon by an “independent” observer.
One person’s truth may be that parties are fun. Another’s truth might be that parties are painful. For one person, it’s a wonderful world, for another, it’s a tough, cruel world.
Same world, different subjective perspectives…
…based on different experiences and expectations about what those experiences would be like.
If our own truths are our own creation…
…why not create the best, most wholesome, satisfying and life enriching truths?
We each live in our own worlds and personal realities.
Why not create and inhabit the one you prefer?
What reality do you prefer?
Consider a fearful child who is warned, cautioned and made afraid of the world.
Compare this with a confident child who is, loved, supported, celebrated, and encouraged.
Two children; two EXPECTATIONS; two EXPERIENCES;
living in two different, subjective WORLDS.
Who do you suppose will have the richer, happier, more fun, enjoyable, satisfying life? Which child would you rather be?
And for yourself…
…which type of ADULT would YOU rather be and what type of life would you rather live?
However...
…when you set the intention to enjoy each day, to focus on what is good, wholesome, and what works…
…when you choose to see the best in people, focus on kindness, nurture feelings of love and compassion…
…when you make it a priority to laugh and have fun…