by Ron Kruger

Created on: May 25, 2007

In this life, truth is the only thing that is holy.

Any time we accept what other people tell us as absolute truth, we become blinded to the possibilities. That's why the Buddha, whom himself was combating the heavy authority and similar corruption of Hinduism in his day said: "Do not accept what you hear by report, do not accept tradition, do not accept a statement because it is found in our books...Be ye lamps onto yourselves."

Most of us spend our lives searching for some tangible proof of an underlying, invisible force. The search itself is a form of faith, because if we did not believe it existed, we would not search. Psychics, superstitions, astrology, scientology and so forth may seem misguided to some, but they are, nonetheless, part of the search for a metaphysical connection. A philosopher's search for truth is another form, as is science's search for the underlying fabric of the universe. We all search in some way, because we know deep in our beings that something beyond the perception of our human senses exists. Only our underlying motives determine whether the search is noble or egotistical.

But Einstein's concept of relativity and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle showed us that our "objective" observations were influenced by the inherent subjectivity of the scientists. And the later theory of Quantum Physics indicates that all truth certainly is influenced by the eye of the beholder in profound ways we don't yet understand. The biggest truth we have learned so far is that man's capacity for self-deception is the biggest obstacle to absolute truth.

Most modern analytical thinkers have come to the conclusion that reason and logic are, in the total scheme, useless. All philosophical and theological arguments can be demolished by skeptical criticism, rendering absolute reason impossible. So the only logical conclusion is that our most nagging insecurities lie in the ultimate fallibility of our human knowledge.

The truth is the only thing that is holy in this realm of existence, and our search for that elusive truth is the only thing about this life that is noble.

I saw the "truth" during my death experience, but part the answer is that wrapped up in the concrete understanding of answers that have puzzled philosophers and theologians throughout time is the realization that everyone must find their own way.

No matter what form it takes, a search for truth is spiritual growth, and spiritual growth is the underlying reason and purpose of our lives. Ironically, the tyrannical approach of fear-based religions that demand unquestioning faith actually serve as a major deterrent to true spiritual growth. That's part of the truth that most people can't handle.

(Compiled from excerpts from A Higher Good.)

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