FROM BEARS (Barry Neil Kaufman): A compelling phenomenon: the "truth." The problem with the truth is that it appears to be a moving target -- a perception ingested through our belief filters. Thus, from each person's vantage point there is a formulated viewpoint. That's fascinating. The glitch is when we call our viewpoint the "truth," we enter the realm of self-righteousness (we're right, you're wrong). It's about how we show up. What would happen if it's not about who is ever right or wrong (that's just a make belief created by the believer), but it's all about our purposes and our principles and how we deliver in accordance to them. Thus, we'd never need to scold or condemn (or be unhappy about what others do or don't do) -- but love and take whatever action we thought made sense to us. No right. No wrong. Just about how people choose to show up -- or don't.
One student in a recent program got very angry because he thought he knew the truth...hmmm. Seems like truth didn't deliver joy or love for him because it's not about truth (that moving, make-believe target). It's about choosing happiness irrespective of what we think we know (or don't know). Possible alternatives: which is more important -- to be "right" and angry or to be happy?
More love, Bears
Hi Bears,
ReplyDeleteI'm so greatfull that you inspired me to question my beliefs on the truth: I used to "know the truth" which could sound as a good thing, but just as in your example, it just lead me to be unhappy when people did things wrong or just didn't seem to understand what "the" truth was.
Now as I believe that the truth is only what feel good to me - I'm much more relaxed, and guess what: people tend to listen more, they tend to reflect on what I say, and some - more than it used to be - tend to buy my beliefs and join in what is true to me.
It's great - because it feels good.
Joy
Bears,
ReplyDeleteMake believe is the end of self-righteousness. I think if all humanity could embrace this it would be the end of war and conflict and dissention. Believing one's version of the truth is better than another person's version often causes friction at best and can even lead to extreme emotions such as hatred. Let's not get too ttached to our own version of the truth at the expense of another person's. I'm grateful for this post which helps me sort out my opinions on this issue. Brilliant!
Mark Oakley