What is YOUR truth, not THE truth because “truth” is different for everyone. It is what you feel deep inside. Truth comes from the values you choose to live by. No one can tell you the truth, you have to figure it out for yourself.
Truth is a varied as we are
Wikipedia lists 16 major religions in the world and that does not include American Indian or paganism. Each one has its own set of beliefs, ceremonies, rules, and followers. Because each of us seeks a connection with an unknown, indescribable, fundamental energy, we search for what is true—for us.
Your truth will not be my truth even if it looks like it on the surface. And yet, at the core, our truth is about our personal relationship with wherever we came from and wherever we are returning to. That’s a unique personal journey and a very personal belief.
When do you need to learn your own truth?
We slowly become conscious of our truth over time. My urgency to understand how I felt about where I came from and where I’m going began when I moved to a senior center. What I know about my own life is that in the next 20 years or so (I’m 83 now) my future holds death. I’m in no hurry, but the population I live in is very fluid in their coming and going. I watch age show up in bodies, including my own.
Death is probably not coming to me anytime soon, but it is higher on the list than it used to be. And that’s what prompted me to look at how I want to live this portion of my life. I want to look at death as an adventure, a discovery of something so awesome that I welcome the journey.
We live in a pattern of cycles
I am drawn to the idea that life flows in cycles just as we see in nature. One cycle gradually merges into another cycle. Life is ever-changing. That means I am ever-changing and am probably in constant need of adjustment.
Knowing that life is a pattern of inevitable cycles, my version of life is to go with the flow, to allow life to unfold and then simply shape things as they come. There’s no striving, no effort. There’s acceptance, observation, adjustment, and choice.
I have time to make a difference
Each day is an opportunity to contribute, to make a difference, to place a pebble into the flow of life and watch the circle of waves move out into the world. Each day. Each moment. Make your every moment count.
Discover your own truth
What do you believe life is about? Some say it’s a dream and that we are the dreamers. Others say we are souls who agreed to come into the world to learn a specific lesson, or offer one to others. We agreed to our life, whatever it looks like.
An image that appeals to me as that of a vase comfortably filled with universal energy and surrounded with universal energy. When the vase breaks, the universal energy is still there—everywhere.
What is your truth?
You have to decide on your own truth. It will come from beliefs you are taught that you need to question; situations you experienced that were colored by your age; relationships you had, both positive and negative; ideas you resonated to; and concepts you explored and accepted. Your truth is a unique combination of your life experience and your current self-aware choice.
Your truth is eclectic
Allow your truth to originate from many sources. I am drawn to some of the celebrations of the American Indians, like honoring the earth and leaving a gift when you take an animal’s life for food (I’m vegan so I don’t do that). I am drawn to Taoism and its simple purpose of exploring my essence. I explore the mudras and chants of Buddhism and Hinduism. I meditate with rocks and crystals. I use essential oils and flower essences.
I read. I learned a lot from Thomas Troward, who studied the world’s great religions and wrote about the similarities. His work is the foundation for the Center for Spiritual Living, which was part of my personal exploration. Stephen Mitchell’s translation of the Tao Te Ching resonates deeply, as do the words of Gibran, Rumi, Deng Ming Dao and Alan Watts. Read, explore, try ideas on for size and see what resonates. Formulate your own truth, the beliefs and concepts and structure that resonates with you.
Draw your truth from your inner wisdom
Your truth is a totally personal journey. Explore religions other than the one you’re most familiar with and adapt what resonates with you. Become conscious of how you express your spirituality. Question everything. Listen to the truth that comes from deep within. Live your truth outwardly in your life.
Create your own spiritual celebration
Make being spiritually aware part of every day. Whether it is a mindful walk in nature where you feel grateful for your life, a sitting or standing meditation, journaling, writing poetry, expand how you are in service, be conscious that you are a spiritual being having a human experience. Live every moment of your life from that spiritual place.
Go exploring. Find your own truth and embrace it.
To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
How Are You Exploring Your Essence?
We Are Part of a Larger Spiritual Order
Return to the Simplicity of The Uncarved Block
17 – Exploring The Village of Nothingness
18- How Your Light Illuminates Paths of Darkness
21 – How to Share a Piece of Your Soul