Some Truth, But Not the Whole Truth
As we travel this spiritual journey, we find that teachers cross our path to help us gain some insight into our true nature as spiritual beings. Guidance may come from clergy at our house of worship. It may come from clergy we see on TV. It may come from books written by those with spiritual insights, whether the authors are clergy, lay people, or unaffiliated with any organized religion.
It isn’t important what “label” you attach to this individual. For whatever reason, you are drawn to this person’s insights. As you listen to this person, observe this person, or read his or her words in a book, you feel as if you are gaining more truth about yourself and feeling a deeper spiritual connection.
When we find someone like this, we throw ourselves wholeheartedly into the teachings or writings of this person. If they have written books, we buy them. If they are going to be speaking anywhere, we make attempts to be there to get the benefit of this person’s wisdom.
There are many positive things to be derived by immersing oneself into a particular teaching or viewpoint.
But there’s also a danger. There is a danger that we will automatically accept as truth everything, or virtually everything, this person is saying. It’s as if we transfer the responsibility for discerning truth from ourselves, and put it onto this teacher. We think to ourselves, “Well, if this person says it, then it must be the truth.”
The fact that someone reveals what appears as truth or insight in one area does not mean this person has figured out everything. These authors or teachers may sincerely believe what they are saying or writing is truth, yet it isn’t. If the author or teacher is growing spiritually, what he or she writes in five or ten years will be somewhat different – and may be radically different — than what is being conveyed today.
In other words, even for the person who appears to be spiritually advanced, the truth is a moving target. There are always infinitely deeper levels that can be explored. More importantly, the ultimate truth about our existence can never be figured out by the human mind. The mind is limited and can never know the full truth about God or whatever you call this life force. How can your mind explain something that has no beginning and no end?
I recognize that many people believe that there is only one source of truth, and that is The Bible. Undoubtedly, the Bible contains profound spiritual insights and offers guidance on how to live our lives. However, there are various interpretations of the Bible and its passages. If I were to gather 50 of the world’s greatest Bible scholars and 50 of the most respected ministers to interpret particular Bible passages or to answer questions about God and spirit, you know full well that we would not receive 100 uniform responses. There would be some disagreement among them. How would I know which is THE truth, if experts devoting their lives to the subject can’t agree on it?
There is another pitfall to be aware of when we rely on the information provided by others. We tend to read and listen to material we agree with. We often conclude that the person who states our view is delivering truth. They may describe it more eloquently than we can, but they are saying things we agree with before we read their book or listen to their presentation. What we have found is agreement, but not necessarily truth.
I often read materials that coincide with my own views. Yet some of the most profound growth I have experienced is by reading books and listening to speakers who deliver a message that challenged my beliefs. If you are truly secure in your own spiritual foundation, you will not be afraid that other viewpoints can shake that foundation. And if the foundation can be shaken, it wasn’t built on truth to begin with… and isn’t it better to know that now?
Do your own assessment of the truth, moment by moment. Drink in the spiritual insights of others whose views resonate with you. If you are led to read other things they have written, honor that. However, when anything you read or hear does not appear to make sense to you at the heart level, or if you have doubts about it, don’t dismiss those doubts. Don’t simply defer to the teacher or author.
Remain open and do your own investigation. You’ll often find that what you read or heard contained some truth, perhaps a lot of truth, but not the whole truth. The only thing that matters is YOUR truth, and while others may assist you on your journey, only you can find your way home.
– Jeff Keller
© 2008