Seeking the Truth

Seeking the Truth

Previously I had talked about dharma (or right action) and karma, but one thing about dharma is that as we practice dharma we eventually come to the realization that it is necessary to study dharma, considering what actions are appropriate in each situation. The determination of which actions are right is really quite complex and we need to make a distinct effort to learn to discriminate the repercussions of our choices.

In this context, the are countless spiritual texts which can be quite helpful in this regard. The caveat, though, is that to be helpful these texts need to be read with the correct frame of mind. It is possible to read any text with a level of skepticism where you look for every contradiction or inaccuracy with the tendency to conclude there is nothing of value in the text if any faults are found. The problem with applying that level of skepticism to spiritual texts is that nothing that is written is ever really completely true or completely false. The entire truth is so complex that it really can't be written; everything that can be written omits details and simplifies. This is especially true of spiritual texts. If too much skepticism is applied, everything will be rejected and nothing will be learned.

So, when I read texts I try to adopt an attitude of seeking out hidden jewels of truth. We each have our own current understanding and there will be many parts which don't really apply to us, they just don't make sense to us. For example, there are large sections of the Old Testament which I have not found very useful to me, but that is not to say that they never had any value to anyone. Indeed I believe that to different people in different times, they were of great value or they would not have been preserved. So, I look for those sections which help me understand my environment and provide insights on how I should lead my life.

As an example, there are numerous descriptions of a vengeful and wrathful God who punishes us for misdeeds, often through banishment to hell, a surprisingly common theme. That does not agree with my experience of a kind and loving universe, but, rather than rejecting these ideas out of hand, I struggle with them and see how they could be useful. My alternative of an extended dream state after we die where we are permitted to experience the consequences of the choices we have made (but where no one is ever really harmed) is consistent with my view of a kind and loving universe, but it also supports most of the descriptions of both heaven and hell as well as simple beliefs in karma.

My own understanding is greatly improved when I struggle to find valuable truths from the experiences and truths of others. The process of assimilation is not easy, but the fruits are very sweet.

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