Director Roger Nygard traveled the world asking theologians, scientists, skeptics, and everyday people 85 tough questions to try to understand The Nature of Existence! Now that he’s asked the experts, it’s YOUR TURN! To offer your own insights on today’s question, “What is truth?”, Leave a Reply below!
Truth is a correspondence between the way the world is and a thought in the mind.
It’s not a matter of popularity, supernatural revelation, or making up some nonsense and sticking to it.
Truth is its own knowing. It is not of the measure of the thinking mind.
The distinction between Truth and Reality is that Truth is real yet that which is real is not necessarily True. The classic example is ‘the rope and the snake’ as follows:
- a man, who is terrified of snakes, crosses a meadow of high grass in dim light steps on a rope, thinks it is a snake and has a panic attack…
- in this case it is both real and true that the man had a panic attack yet the reason for his panic attack is real [generated by his thinking mind] as he mistook the rope for the snake yet it is untrue because in truth [Truth is autonomous] he stepped on a rope and not a snake.
In the same way Truth is not of the measure of the thinking mind; any conclusion/definition that the thinking mind generates regarding Truth or the nature of existence is Reality or what the ancients labeled ‘Maya’ [maya means more that simply 'illusion'].
This does not mean that Truth cannot be known – it knows itself; it is experiential – enlightenment is this knowing as self-knowledge [knowing as being]… again the ancients said, ‘Tat Tvam Asi’ – That Thou Art or in more biblical terms I Am That by which I know I Am [I Am That I Am].
Shanti Om,
James
Truth should be the bare facts – the most logical and informed answer after all aspects have been considered without ridicule of ideas which do not sit within the present understanding of the subject in question. It should not be influenced in any way by authority. Authority – whether it be a government, a big business or a religious group must learn to keep their heavy hand of authority away from influencing what people think the truth is through propaganda, laws or fear of punishment. Truth is the authority on any subject. Never look to authority for truth.
Truth has no meaning in itself, except a stubborn understanding that the perception held is the only answer. What is one person’s understanding of truth (to the point of martyrdom) is different for another. It is amusing that this word is used as a conclusive answer when our whole existence is based on a big question mark!
[...] What is truth? How do we determine truth? Which truth is right? [...]
What wonderful questions and answers. I have learned that we are the walking breathing truth ourselves. We are in an illusion of sorts. Because this is an illusion it does not mean that it is not real, its just that things are not as they seem.
As a long time member of Eckankar I have found answers to all of these questions. Mostly through the actual experience of the truth itself rather than through the many books we have.
Eckankar, although called a religion, is actually more of a mystery school. It is not faith based, it is based on realization. Its hard to even speak about because the heart of these teachings is beyond the mind.
For me, I have found that with the practice of the Spiritual Exercises, I can experience myself as Soul, which is the actual self, separate from the body. I have learned that I exist because of God’s love for me, and so does everyone else. Of course, God, or as we refer to this creative reality, Sugmad, is love.
God speaks to each of us through IT’S (IT is neither male nor female) voice, the Light and Sound. Or to put it in “scientific” terms, vibration which is the originator of energy! So cool!
What I have found in the teachings of Eckankar are answers and inspiration and a wonderful Spiritual Guide who has been to the heart of God and is now helping me back to the source of all life via my own path.
This inner and outer Spiritual Guide, known as the Mahanta, is my closest friend and my greatest love. I am so grateful and so blessed. I am posting this here to share this gift with you.
Much love dear Souls … Baraka Bashad, May the Blessings Be!
A truth can be said to be our most dependable current assertion about the way the world is.
Truth is the power of taking the mankind out from this ridiculous state of being.
Information that can be used to accurately describe reality.
Truth is what can be objectively verified. Verifiable, falsifiable, repeatable. Truth stands up to peer review. Truth is, whether we understand it or choose to contradict it.
As Winston Churchill said, ‘The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.’
Many interesting responses….. some seem very satisfied with a strict and absolute definition of truth. Again, I assert a different definition:
Truth is perceived, perception becomes reality (for the individual). Therefore it is possible to change truth by changing one’s perception and thus, change one’s reality.
Truth is bitter.
Truth is a result of statement which will not change by altering any thing. Otherway, truth will not have any pre-conditions.
Truth is what corresponds to the facts of reality.