Within this article was something that has stuck with me over whatever else I may have read -
The three enemies of Truth are -
1) ignorance [the condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed]
2) fanaticism [excessive, irrational zeal]
3) tyranny [absolute power, especially when exercised unjustly or cruelly]
These are certainly some of the more trying times we as both a Nation and as hu'mans are dealing with. So many opinions, so many ideas and ideals, so much exchange of information that it can be daunting. What is true and what is exaggeration of fact and where does both cross into downright lies perpetrated by those who are fanatical to change the natural behavior of those that disagree with them. When those believe they have control over others, despite the reality, tyranny moves in to assume power.
Truth is under assault. Perhaps not deliberately for ignorance has gained a huge foothold in our world, our politics and even our religions. Science, that brilliant subject that has led us out of the darkness of the unknown and questionable, has more and more become a subject many approach with great suspicion and doubt -"How do you know there's climate change?" and on and on. This is not say that science as we know it no more deserves to hold the reigns on truth anymore than religion or philosophy should be the ultimate source of Truth. But to foolishly disregard anything that smells or tastes like truth (intuitively) is a bold act of ignorance that stifles logic and understanding leaving the questioners/disbelievers with nothing but a feared look in their eyes... a vacancy that borders on idiocy. And we find these lost souls in positions of power and what once was respect... a respect for differences, a respect for another's ideas and religious views... a tolerance that arguably assisted our civilization to mature and prosper. Ignorance is finding more and more respect over any semblance of Truth.
Do we fear Truth or simply disregard it's possibility to exist in our world? If we have never felt the power of Truth within our very being, how could we possibly believe there is such a thing? So we put our trust, not in ourselves, but in the arms of those who believe that the only Truth is the reaction of those who follow the self-proclaimed leaders whose paths are filled with wealth and prosperity for themselves and the followers following closely behind in hopes of picking up the scraps left behind. The hungry will eat anything tossed to them as long as the fear of Truth no longer haunts them, as temporal as that may be.
It is those whom the hungry follow who easily succumb to becoming tyrants, preaching at their pulpits in voices attempting to seduce the ignorant that honor shown to them, the preachers and teachers who falsely inform their flocks that they alone know the Truth and will defend their followers from harm. They know little but to seduce crowds to hide their own fears that they harbor just as their flock does.
Fear is hu'mans biggest obstacle to overcome. Thru ignorance one will never find Truth despite the greatest of intentions. Thru a fanatical belief in what many may believe to be the Truth, will only lead to more fear in the end. To seek comfort in the charmed voices of tyrants so they may find their own comfort in the crowds they draw, the feared will never dispel the fear that they alone can conquer.
Truth itself is not so much a subject or commodity of any sort but rather an experience that may be compared to a lightning bolt crashing out of the skies and ceremoniously igniting a realization that what we have witnessed dissolved all doubt and question from our minds and left us with a feeling of fearless Freedom unlike we ever knew, intimately knew, until that moment.
Truth-seekers are not violent nor are they thieves. You will not find a truth-seeker who admires ignorance or is fanatical about any thing that does not aid in their search of Truth. Truth-seekers abhor any thought of tyranny or the tyrants who pretend to hold sway over others in any way. That would cast doubt over the truth-seeker to find their own Truth within... where Truth only resides. As Socrates is noted as saying: Know Thyself. Until we know our true Self, all others remain strangers. Know thyself and all others become one with all else.
cecil
3.20.2011
Picture of the Week:
_______
the leaves on the branch
share with others so much:
their shape, their colors
their needs and movements
so too, do we individuals
hang alone barely touching
each other but sharing what
we know with each
in return for companionship
until our lives leave us
and we fall upon the ground
where our bodies once again
feed the wholly earth
to continue sustaining
this great circle of
life
_______
photo by moi at some point in the past