PART II LIES & OUR ODD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRUTH TOM ATLEE Co-Intelligence Institute *********************************************
But when we open ourselves to the actual vastness of multifarious Truth, we find it much bigger and more complex than any one story could ever contain. That's a hard reality to grow into. That's why I think the ultimate truth in the universe may be "There's more to it than that." No matter what's going on... no matter what we're being told... no matter what we believe, it helps to remember that "There is more to it than that." Yes, we can be sure of that one truth in every circumstance -- there's always more to it....
Lately I've begun to wonder if Truth is, in fact, a fabric woven of many stories. Some of them are neat and tidy. Some look neat and tidy on the front, but are quite messy on the back, like tapestry. Many of them go on forever, and to be terribly connected to everything else. A disturbing number of them seem to contradict each other or to disturb our own favorite stories. It's almost as if when things seem very simple, that's a sign we're not really keeping our eyes, minds and hearts open enough for more Truth to get in.
But there is a kind of sense-making that comes from opening ourselves up very wide -- wide enough to include every story that comes along, or at least to allow it to participate in shaping the larger story that emerges in respectful conversation. But in the face of many hotly conflicting stories, I find it a real challenge to be that open -- especially when my own dependable stories seem threatened.
Furthermore, I think that many seemingly divergent stories can only make sense together when we view them in good light, from a distance -- or from very close, through our hearts. In order for this to happen, of course, these stories must be fully heard -- which is quite rare nowadays. Sometimes healing or transformation happens simply because someone fully heard someone else's story. Real listening seems to turn walls and battlements into doorways, paths, sometimes even glorious sky-wide sunrises....
There is such a close kinship between story and truth (or reality). The poet Murial Rukeyser tells us "the universe is made of stories, not atoms."
PART 1 ************************************************** There is a lot of attention right now on the US government lying to We the People, probably with intention to mislead. In some circles there is also dismay (and cynicism) at the ability (and sometimes apparent eagerness) of We the People to be misled.
There are many political dimensions to this, being reported by many qualified commentators. But here I want to dig a bit into our odd relationship with truth. It is a complex relationship and, I think, an important one to pay attention to.
Much courage is required to dissent from a dominant but incomplete "truth." Even greater courage is required to remain open to ALL types and sources of information and perspective, recognizing that all "truth" is, in the final analysis, incomplete. This recognition doesn't have to degrade us into vague moral and intellectual relativism. It might instead make us more curious, interested, compassionate, open to what is new, different, and challenging.
We so often say we want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. And we say we don't want to be lied to. But when you come right down to it, few of us REALLY want to know all there is to know about anything, nor to be confronted with too much complexity, seeming contradiction or mystery -- all of which are natural companions of Truth as it becomes more comprehensive.
When we say we want the truth, what we usually mean (without saying it or even admitting it to ourselves) is that we want to hear acceptable truths couched in acceptably bent truths, half-truths, reframings and appropriately excluded information -- all crafted into a picture that "makes sense" to us.
In other words, we want a story that fits with all the other stories we tell ourselves about the person or subject under consideration. We don't want the messy big picture so much as we want coherence, because it is the coherence of these stories that we use to "make sense" of our world. Supported by that sense of coherence, we can then call our stories The Truth.
OKAY.. I've changed the time zone on my profile to Atlantic Time (That's where I live...) but it's still saying 3 hours behind when I post something.... WHAT GIVES???
Everybody's got STUFF in their backgrounds... I don't care who they are.... You can CHOOSE to wallow in the "STUFF" of your past.. or CHOOSE to rise above it....
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
Musicalle Forum Posts (415)
RE: "down to earth person"
PS... one can be a humble, down-to-earth person....