THE VALUE OF TRUTH

THE VALUE OF TRUTH

When our words are in tune with our conscience, we are in line with Truth.

Absolute truth can only be grasped intuitively. It is permanent and unchanging. As our inquiry into this level of truth deepens, we realise that it represents an invisible and eternal life principle. It is the divine Essence of our own being and of the whole cosmos. It is fundamental to distinguish and understand these two kinds of Truth.

We are normally conscious of relative truth. By observing and investigating the external world through our senses, we gather data and information. This builds our knowledge and scholarship. However, with the passing of time, many things can change, new discoveries can test our old ideas, facts and convictions, and what is true today may not be true tomorrow.

Furthermore, since our belief systems and our cultural background influence our understanding of truth, what is right for one person may not be right for another. Such truths may vary from person to person, and with time, even individuals may change their beliefs (truths). This is why relative truth is never entirely true. It is true sometimes and under certain circumstances or it is true for some people, but not for all.

If, instead, we shift our outward perspective within, we discover another form of truth which is the source of all wisdom. Albeit intuitively, we realise that this truth corresponds to something changeless and pure; a soul-felt perception that speaks to us through our spiritual heart or conscience.

To talk about truth with children means mostly to help them cultivate an honest dialogue with themselves, and to come into contact with one’s conscience. By encouraging children to listen to one’s inner truth we promote integrity, right conduct and self-confidence (i.e., confidence in one’s inner self, heart or conscience). Thus, we empower them to stand up for the values of life. They do so, however, not because they have been “told” to, but because they have learned to acknowledge the worth of these values by experiencing them directly from within and by seeing how beneficial they can be, through practice.

The value of Truth, seen from both these levels broadens the child’s awareness and fosters insight and wisdom.

The image of a tree can help us illustrate these two aspects of truth. The trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits represent the visible form of the tree. We can see how it changes during the seasons. Underground, hidden from our view, are the tree’s roots. To see them we need to dig deeply. In the same way, in order to experience the absolute changeless Truth, we have to investigate thoroughly beyond the ephemeral reality of physical phenomena.

What exactly is Truth? Is it just a description of a thing as one has seen it without exaggeration or understatement? No. Or Is it just the narration of an incident in the same words as one has heard it narrated? No. Truth is that which persists in the past, the present and the future; which has neither beginning nor end; which is unchangeable and always remains the same. It is beyond time and space, beginningless, endless and ever existent.

~ Sathya Sai