Three Truths and One Wish

2 Replies

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the nature of truth, about my truth and about reality, the nature of things. As someone who studies Buddhist philosophy and practices meditation and mindfulness, I think about it a lot. I ask myself “is this true?” or “is this solid?” In my Fearlessness in Everyday Life class, we were asked a few weeks ago to contemplate if there was anything solid, anything that didn’t change. This made me think even more intently and directly about what might be real, genuine, certain, unchangeable, dependable, absolute.

There are only two things I could think of: basic goodness (inherent wisdom and compassion, the fundamental nature of sentient beings, I might also call this love), also referred to as buddha nature (the seed of mindfulness and enlightenment in every person, representing our potential to become fully awake), and change or impermanence.

And it doesn’t end there, this contemplation of truth. A loving, confident, strong, whip smart woman suggested that I challenge the stories I tell myself, the myths and even the lies, about me and my life. Thoughts and emotions arise, judgements and beliefs, and I ask myself “is this true?”

I made a list with my friend Joyce on Facebook about the nature of truth:

Knowing what is true for yourself: confidence.
Believing that it must also be true for everyone else: ego.
Trying to force others to accept our truth: aggression.
Being able to let go of old truths that no longer serve us: freedom
Accepting that others may not understand or agree with our truth: serenity.
Standing by our truth in the face of adversity: strength.

Truth sometimes seems clear, tangible, solid, and and other times it is complicated, utterly confusing, like a dream we only half remember, and certainly can’t understand. And yet, I am going to try to say three things that are true about truth, (it’s like a riddle, isn’t it?).

1. Truth: Most of what we think of as truth is relative and subjective. Other than a few essentials, most of the time what might be true in one moment is only that, temporary, and only true because of how you relate to it, viewed as it is through your current perception. Even with all the good, dependable information out there–websites, blogs, newsletters, classes, workshops, experts, teachers, plans, techniques, strategies, practices, methods, and programs, most of it easily accessible and some of it even free–it’s all ultimately relative and subjective. Because of this, we have to develop discernment, critical thinking. And we must reject fundamentalism. Truth is fluid, and having fixed ideas in a world where change and impermanence are the fundamental reality is a risky strategy.

Most of what we think of as truth is relative and subjective? This is good news. It means it’s okay to let go, relax.

2. Truth: Since truth is never an absolute, we must learn to trust ourselves, and allow our truths to be organic. We must have faith in our intuition, our own naturally arising wisdom. This can be difficult if you were taught to not trust your own instincts, or if you’ve been denying them for a really long time. But, we must be willing to let go of beliefs that no longer serve us, not get attached, and also not reject new ideas or possibilities. We are always changing, and what’s true for us will change too. Remain open. Only don’t know.

Since truth is never an absolute, we must learn to trust ourselves, and allow our truths to be organic. This is good news. It means it’s okay to let go, relax.

3. Truth: You must take responsibility for your own truth. Only you can know it. Trying to adopt someone else’s truth is a cheat that won’t work. Looking to others for a fix, an answer, permission, a program or strategy to apply to your life can be helpful, but in the end, it is up to you. Your true north isn’t “out there,” and finding it will be more like remembering. Rest when you need to, contemplate when you must, trust your intelligence, your understanding, your instincts, and the closer you get, the clearer your view will be. It might make you laugh with surprise, but there will also be a deep knowing, recognition. Attention is essential, mindfulness is key to the discovery, as are relaxation and gentleness.

You must take responsibility for your own truth? Yes, dear reader, even this is good news. It too means it’s okay to let go, relax.

One wish: That you know the supreme confidence of your particular truth, and that you can let go of what no longer serves you. I wish always, no matter what three truths I might share, that you know your innate goodness, wisdom and compassion, that you remember, awaken to the light of your true nature.

It’s okay. Cheer up. You’re perfect.

Something Good

2 Replies

Charter for Compassion

This isn’t something new, just something worth reminding you about, and as important now (or more?) as it was two years ago.

Reboot Program Resource

“Rebooting” is what Joe Cross from the documentary Fat, Sick, & Nearly Dead called his juice fast, and this website is inspired by the film. Even if you don’t want to do a fast, just want to eat healthier, be healthier, this site is a great resource. I started with this page: Simple Eating Guidelines. (P.S. This site seemed to be having some hiccups today, so hopefully the link will work for you).

Naked Mango & Veggie Smoothie

As you may have heard, I am contemplating doing a juice fast. In preparation, I bought a bunch of premade juices to see what combinations I might like. I tried this one this morning, and it was like drinking sunshine.

Sunday Services with Ronna Detrick

She describes these this way: “Smart, engaging conversation about topics that matter.” She’s talked with a few of my favorite people. It’s worth a listen.

Fiona the Blind Trash Can Dog Rescued

Last year, Eldad and Audrey Hagar found Fiona — sick, blind, flea-infested and covered in grime — in a trash heap in South Los Angeles, and rescued her. If you have been reading this blog for more than a day, you already know that I love dogs with my whole heart. I resisted watching this video at first, but was so happy I finally did. Yes, it broke my heart, made me weep, but the ending is so so happy.

GoD and DoG

I can’t share that story without sharing this video, and if you watched the one about Fiona, you’ve already got a tissue. Amen, Bow Wow.

The Art of Getting Creatively Unstuck, by Justine Musk

Yes, another article by Justine Musk, but like I’ve said before, she’s on fire. How can I help it, how can I not love her? How can I when she is so brilliant and her website tagline is “because you’re a creative badass”?

The Rule of H.A.L.T.

This is actually something from Alcoholics Anonymous, and I’ve also seen it used in the context of developing healthy eating habits, but I realized this weekend that it might prove useful to anyone trying to change a habit, take better care of themselves, learn balance. The A.A. intent is to keep yourself from relapsing as an alcoholic, but I think it would also work to keep yourself from doing whatever it is you do that’s not healthy, not in your best interest, would help to keep you from getting hooked by whatever it is, from giving in to old behaviors or ways of being that no longer serve you: “Don’t become too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired.” It’s a good rule for taking care of yourself in general, enit?

Why PLAY is a matter of life & death

In a comment on this post on Unicorns for Socialism, I told Alexandra that it’s like the universe keeps whispering in her ear “write this” as a roundabout way to get me the exact message I need. I had read the original piece she references here, but the reminder was so welcome. Go ahead and ignore everything else on today’s list, but you should absolutely read both posts, Alexandra’s and the original. She shares the five wishes from “The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying” by Bronnie Ware, (who went on to write a whole book on the subject after making her original post). The top five are this:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself —
not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

Assuming this list is utterly true, what are a few things you might start doing differently?

Songs I Love Right Now

I had a few videos I wanted to share this week, like a cover of Hall and Oates “I Can’t Go For That” by Nicki Bluhm & the Gramblers:

And my new favorite song, “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris:

But that wasn’t enough, so I made you a “mix tape.” Have your own Monday dance party, be a one person flash mob, start a spontanious disco in the hallway at work. Enjoy! P.S. I apologize that there are a few commercials in the mix, but I wanted to include the original videos when I could: Songs I Love Right Now.