by Terry Lowey, MFT |
Spiritual Truth might seem a daunting topic, both too vague and too vast to define. It is, after all, intangible, going beyond our 5 senses. In the stubbornly left-brained logical, rational culture in which we find ourselves, things that cannot be materially quantified are often pushed to the background and even demeaned as not being worth our time.
Then there are those that believe their particular religious traditions hold the only keys to spiritual truth, excluding others who believe exactly the same about their brand of faith. The radical Muslim suicide bomber who dies violently in the market place and the Christian zealot who murders the abortion doctor do, after all, share a deeply held conviction in the respective ‘spiritual truths’ that they believe their actions embody. These people have aligned themselves with a belief system that demonizes and objectifies others.
Herein lies one thing that real spiritual truth certainly is not – exclusionary or based solely on a dogmatic belief system. Core spiritual truth would have to be universally true regardless of any of our secular divisions. It would be true for all people at all times. In a world characterized by unbounded information on a variety of cultures and seemingly endless opposition to others points of world view, fettering out even a few aspects of truth gives us pause. What would be the value?
To answer that, let’s first look at what is endemic in our current state of affairs: widespread division, conflict, financial chaos, confusion and despair. That these are prevalent in the current climate is indisputable. That this threatens quality of life is equally apparent. Like the demeanor of the soldier in the foxhole, knowing his own death could be imminent; he is faced with the choice of objectifying the enemy or realizing they are, like him, another human being. It is in times exactly like these that spiritual truth becomes especially alluring.
Webster’s definition of spirit is “a life-giving force; the animating principle; soul.” This will be the premise of this article – that there is such a source that is omnipresent and that can be drawn upon for direction and that, further, when this direction is taken will ultimately lead a person to a heightened state of well-being. The resulting decision-making and actions benefit not only them but also the world at large. In short, the result is a win-win for the individual and the collective.
Throughout all of human history reference to this source is documented and given a place of sacred reverence. It harkens us to live in ways that are for our highest good. It is called The Light and being out of it is like what many are experiencing in the dark hours of the current financial and confidence crisis. It is that persistent feeling we get that something is just not right. It beckons us back toward itself, spiritual truth. It comforts us and assures us that there are ways to live replete with love, beauty, meaning and fulfillment. It engenders trust in life, promising a sigh of relief and rekindling hope and optimism.
Spiritual truth does not require belief in a specific religion or even deity because it is innate and instinctual. Reverence for the dynamic and multifaceted-beyond-comprehension unfolding of the life process; the indescribable natural rhythm that runs through everything in this universe, is alignment with Spiritual truth.
You are where it starts. Spirituality is inner-directed, a deeply personal experience. It requires going within and honing your ability to hear that “still, small voice”. It is not small in the sense of being timid or inconsequential, but soft and non-intrusive. It beckons but does not demand, honoring our free will. It requires a state of stillness and of being conscious in the present moment. It holds the power to transform a thought, a feeling, a moment and a life.
Following one’s spiritual truth can actually lead away from established religious practice or societal norms at times. It is mysterious in that it is the opposite of a ‘know-it-all’ position. “…We carry the conviction (often only faintly) that even though we don’t know where we’ll end up, we’re following a soul-path of immense richness, that we’re supposed to be on this path, that it’s required of us somehow. We move in a sense of rightness, of lure, of following a flute that pipes irresistible music.” Sue Monk Kidd
Core spiritual truth is inclusive, never objectifying others but rather seeing them as people with wants, needs and passionate beliefs just like our own. Objectification of others leads to vilification of them and then we are drawn further to points of view (we call them facts) that justify our conclusions. Our information gathering mechanism then becomes tainted, or prejudiced. We become arrogantly judgmental. It is worth noting at this point that taking this rigid, judgmental stance toward ourselves is equally as damaging.
This is not to preclude even hearty disagreement. It does, however, require empathy and consideration for the others point of view, along with a healthy dose of enough humility to know that our own understanding of things is not omniscient. We may still, in good conscience, staunchly maintain our course for a certain cause, but will now do so holding our opponent in high regard as a person with equal value to ours. Whether in a corporation, political debate or a family unit, this stance of “a heart of peace” will facilitate both high quality and more enduring outcomes.
Too rarely, yet every now and again we will hear a political leader with “a heart of peace” making a definitive stand on a topic while still being graciously respectful of the opponents’ point of view. Both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Junior demonstrated this character when dealing with those who disagreed with their policies. It is noteworthy that both made considerable, respected and lasting historical imprints. The parent who approaches their child with an open heart, willing to hear them out while at the same time holding fast to their standards will have a far higher probability of positively influencing that child than the parent who engages in an intractable power struggle. The same holds true with a schoolteacher or a manager at the office.
“A heart of peace”is a primary component of spiritual truth because it embraces the inherent humanity of each and every individual. Taking this truth to heart is being guided by love and putting it into action leads to inner peace, which is the central for peace to the whole. Tuning into Spiritual truth is a surrendering that is an ever-evolving process. Love is misunderstood to be an emotion; actually, it is a state of awareness, a way of being in the world, a way of seeing oneself and others. “It is always the false that makes you suffer, the false desires and fears, the false values and ideas, the false relationships between people. Abandon the false and you are free of pain; truth makes happy, truth liberates.” Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj.
References:
- The Arbinger Institute. The Anatomy of Peace Resolving the Heart of Conflict
- Monk Kidd, Sue. The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
- Tolle, Eckhart. A New Earth Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose
For more info, contact Terry Lowey MFT at (775) 322-1924
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