When I started the Discerning the
Mystery website, I had in mind to help others find their own
ability to discern truth from fiction. At first I thought that the
endeavor was one which was cut and dry, and that I had had enough
experiences and insights under my belt to plainly describe the
process of discerning fact from fiction. However, as I would learn,
the process takes a level of consciousness that often extend well
beyond that which many of us have progressed.
As I have learned over time,
discernment is not simply a list of steps. Sure, one can frequent
the steps of accurate journalism or the proper procedure for fair
legal investigation, but discernment is another process entirely.
This is a process of self-exploration and introspection. Instead of
examining this or that source for the truth of the matter, a person
must find their way to the truth within themselves.
It has only been recently that I have
been able to remove all of the blockages which hindered me from
putting this process of discernment into words. So hopefully, I can
finally begin to do what I originally intended to, and I hope that
you can benefit from the results in numerous ways. This article is
an exploration of the discernment process, or more specifically, the
concept of mental flexibility. Within this talk, I intend to
show why there is a strong need for us to keep our perspective
flexible and open to newness at each step of our journey.
Forgotten Questions
When we first awaken, there are a
number of experiences we can have, as well as numerous personal
responses to these experiences. Among these is the excitement about
what our new perspective has shown us. Our eyes are open for the
first time and we are eager to experience everything we can with our
new perspective. At this stage, it's typical that we are unaware of
exactly what has changed, but we know within ourselves that somehow—the world seems different.
As we continue, we may realize that the activities we used to enjoy aren't so enjoyable anymore. We may write off this sentiment, think to ourselves that we are just having an off day and dismiss our dissatisfaction, but we realize that the dissatisfaction isn't going away. Eventually we realize that this change of sentiment represents a need for the search for new experiences. Along with this realization, we become aware of something else. It seems that now, the information which used to be completely acceptable to us no longer makes any sense.
We realize that most of the
conversations, the movies and televisions shows we used to enjoy are
only cookie-cutter repetitions of the exact same situations—rehashed
so as to appear new. Some may realize that many of these repetitive
themes are not very healthy for to be exposed to on a daily basis.
More and more we have the a strange feeling that somehow these
repeated themes were designed to be distractions and distortions from
the new questions we find ourselves asking.
It seems that when we awaken, we become
aware that the supposedly factual information that we have been given
throughout life was heavily distorted as well. We may realize that
even though we were given good grades in school for placing answers
on a piece of paper at test time, we didn't really learn much, and
what we did learn didn't give us the ability to use our own inner
power. We can realize that we have grown up with the same story
about life, and that while we were busy answering someone else's
questions, we never answered our own.
Liberation of the Mind
There could be as many variations of
awakening experiences as there are people to experience them. During
this process, there are certain steps that a person must take in
order to navigate the mine-field of half-truths and the
mostly-truths, along with the blatant disinformation that has
been laid out for us by those who originally put us to sleep.
There are countless sources from which
a person can choose nowadays, and every one of these sources seems
to be different in some way. Having our new awareness of our
responsibility of determining our own truth, we must learn to
determine which sources feed us most healthily and best help us along
our journey of self-exploration and realization. Along this path, it
is important that we maintain our own sense and respect for self.
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| We are stronger than we may think. |
This self-acknowledgment and respect relates primarily with our right to exist. It is a common belief that we as sentient beings have essential rights to health, to vital resources, and to opportunities to prosper freely. (As I have pointed out before, these rights stand with the pretext that we do not infringe upon the rights of others.) Along with these rights is the right to think and act independently from the interference of others, and it is within this right that our responsibility lies.
As we question, and as we come across
various answers, it is important that we do not stagnate or fixate on
an ideology simply for the sake of emotional security. Before we
awoke, we were a passive member of society, and in that state, we had
little or no inclination to question any societal norm. At that
time, we allowed these societal norms to make our decisions for us,
and to determine our course in life. This is typical within the
average person's life, as society offers a sense comforts and
acceptance to us when we conform to the rest of our peers.
However, when we awaken to the freedom which true life has to offer,
we are compelled to think and to question more of these societal
norms.
In our quest to learn what it is to be
awake, it is important that we avoid the various pitfalls that can
await us along our path. One of these pitfalls includes the
temptation to cling to an ideology simply for a sense of emotional
security, belonging, or normalcy in one's life. It is a given that
we start our journey in a state of ignorance, and any learning that
we experience only happens in the moment. In other words, this
journey has no instruction manual. This state of ignorance can be
very frightening for some. This fear of ignorance is technically
called agnosiophobia or the
fear of not knowing.
This fear of ignorance could easily
explain the common tendency for people to feign knowledge about a
subject even when they may know very little about that subject at
all. It is common for people in leadership roles to pretend to have
all of the answers because they want to be respected. They
may also become obsessed with the attention that this illusion of
knowledge typically brings them. Consequently, when presented with
questions about unfamiliar subjects, many would rather risk
misleading others than look incapable in front of an audience.
On our search for answers, this fear of
our own ignorance can have serious consequences as well. This fear
can actually lead us to the ideological fixation mentioned before, in
that instead of keeping our ideology flexible and open to new input,
we become stuck upon one idea because that idea gives us
emotional security. In this state, we may be subconsciously
intimidated by the demands of our own new-found independence, and
instead of enduring our much-needed journey, we simply cave and turn
back to our life of conformity.
Though this conformity may be
different than that of typical society, it still
distracts us from our inner search for truth. In this situation, we
may find a group that has fixated on the same ideology as our own, and we become comfortable in our stagnation. So how can we tell if this
has happened to us, and what can we do to change it?
The Pitfall of Cult-Mentality
If we ever find ourselves among a group
of people that has ceased their own search for truth and self
discovery, and have instead turned their focus to a detached theme
that offers no real change or progress, we may have settled for
comfort over truth. This can typically be found in a group that is
based upon one theme, and endlessly discusses that theme without
actually making progress toward a productive end. Though these groups
may claim the desire for progress, there are typically little or no
actual steps toward it.
These groups can be fairly attractive.
To some, they can even be more attractive than the journey of self
discovery. It is typical in such groups that we find many people
with whom we can relate. We may even have a sense of belonging in
these groups. However, little do we realize that within these
communities, we have left our own inner identity behind. Instead of
giving ourselves the credit and self-examination we deserve, we make
the center of our lives an idea that we had no interest in before we
discovered it and gave our power to it. We agree to let go of what we know, but make no effort to thoroughly evaluate what we are being given in it's place. This is typically the
situation we will find in a cult.
The truth about cults is that they do
not always take place in strange buildings with cryptic symbols on
the front. These groups can actually form out of any group that
already exists. This cult behavior can spawn from any ideology which
offers an explanation on life's mysteries. These groups do not need
a name initially. Their initiation only requires the agreement of
any number of members to give their power and emotional security over
to an idea. When the idea has more power and value than the
individual, that is when the cult has formed. If this is the
definition of the word cult, it may be that society has more
cults within it than we have acknowledged.
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| Many cult-like groups will advocate the concept of unlearning what you have learned, but then replace our past lessons it with equally flawed beliefs. In this act, these groups subtly demand that member forget all of their previous knowledge for the sake of the new ideology. |
This would mean that political parties were a form of cult since they consist of groups that supposedly hold their own ideologies. Those within the various parties define themselves by the standards of that party instead of letting their own thought define them. The above definition of the word would also mean that sports hold a large number of cults within them. Rooting for this team or that team might not be extremely unhealthy for some, but the overall act of fixating on an official sports team simply for the sake of the team can be a sign of cult belief. When we congregate with others who share the same belief, this cult-status becomes even more apparent.
Certain television shows and movies
offer the possibility of cult gatherings and ideologies. When people
give their minds over to this or that theme, it can become a source
of emotional security. The theme itself can have just as much of an
impact on a group's emotional state than events in their actual
lives. This is not to say that all television is unhealthy simply
because it is attractive.
The acceptance of any theme and its impact
are completely dependent upon the individual. What is important is
that a person does not neglect their own right to intimately know
themselves, and to value and honor themselves above any theme or
ideology. As long as we do not replace the importance of our own
being with a supposedly important idea, any interest can
remain just that—an interest, and not a source of life purpose.
Our Limitless Potential
The prospect of finding truth in this
world and in this universe is quite a task to undergo. However, this
task does not have to be difficult. The goal is not to be right,
as many may believe. The goal is to be clear enough (in focus and in
energy) that when the correct answers come to us, we will know. The fact that all of the answers are not spelled out for us
may be intimidating for some. However, for others, this mystery
offers an exciting adventure to embark upon.
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| When we see contortionists we may be impressed by their skill and flexibility, but along with our impression, we may also cringe at the thought of attempting to do the same thing ourselves. However, with practice and dedication, we also have the ability to stretch beyond our limits. This applies to mental flexibility as well. |
As we search for the
next answer, it is important that we respect ourselves in the
process. It is also important that we do not short-change ourselves
and declare the mystery solved and the journey over simply because we
have become comfortable.
If we ever come across an idea of what
seems to be true, it is important that we remember a number of
things. This is that we have not yet reached a point where we can
see truth clearly. Even if we see what appears to be true, this does
not mean that it is. Oftentimes, when we believe we have found
truth, there is much more to the story. Until we have eyes to see
beyond our present obstacles, all we have are perspectives of what
appears to be true. Even if there is apparent absoluteness in any
idea, we do not have the perception to determine any supposed
absolution that might exist. This is what it is to be veiled.
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| Coffee? |
Closing Thoughts
The bottom line is that no matter how
high in perspective we are (or think we are), there is always a
dimension higher than our present one. No matter how much we believe
ourselves to know, there is always another piece to the puzzle.
There are those who reject new ideas for various reasons. This
rejection can be caused by a fear of the need to admit ignorance. As
we may know, it is necessary to let go of the illusion of knowledge
before true knowledge can replace it. It is typically that during
this process, the feeling of empty-handedness (with regard to
knowledge) can cause the most discomfort. However, it is important
that we endure such discomfort, as truth typically sits just beyond
it.
We may also reject new ideas due to our fear of change. The unknown can be a difficult endeavor to explore. To some, that which is familiar can seem pretty inviting by comparison. Consequently, they do not typically accept the journey unless there is excessive incentive to do so. In this case, it is important that we do not give into the temptation to accept comfort over truth. If we genuinely want truth in accuracy, it is important that we stay the course. To contrast, if we do not care about truth, it is important that we openly admit this to ourselves and avoid pretending that we do.
Mental flexibility takes a level of
courage that many have not yet found. This level of function is not
typically for those who require emotional security from outward
sources. This type of flexibility is only for those who have learned
to anchor themselves in a humble and yet self-honoring way, and who
are willing to forgo comfort for the sake of the most accurate
information. This level of dedication is a key component in the
process of discernment, and it is this discernment that will best
serve us on our path of awakening.
Also Read...
Thanks for reading.
I started DTM because I
feel that informing the people is the most positive and impactful
thing I am able to do at this point. I work at my articles as though
each one were my job, as I don't quite have the health to keep an
actual job right now. Somehow, I get more energized when I know I'm
having a positive impact in the lives of others.
Right now, I rely
upon donations and ads to keep my site going. Ideally, we would live
in a world free of the need for money of any kind. We will have that
world very soon, I believe, but in the mean time, I depend upon this
task to sustain me as I do my best to be dependable to you, my
readers. I hope “Discerning the Mystery” is a truly positive and
progressive experience for you.
Thank you for your
support.
Well, if you have just been "warming up" with your writing, then I am very excited to see where you take DTM. Thank you!
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