Chapter One: the truth about the truth

As infants we are predisposed to believe our parents and elders. We are born into belief systems, customs, and varied moral standards. Teaching is passed on from the day we are born, sometimes even forced down our throats; and that same teaching continues from generation to generation. Our curious young minds provide us with the simplest of instinctive questions, i.e., ‘Why?’ When an answer made no sense at all to our young minds we further questioned with, ‘But...?’ Some of us were rewarded with punishment or told to shut up, to simply accept the answer given and refrain from further questioning. A simple ‘I don't know’ would have provided much more clarity at the time, rather than forcing us to deal, years later,  with the confusion these misguided adults created by pretending to be wise and knowledgeable. Our questioning lessens and eventually ceases as our minds accept our various teachings. Young, impressionable minds accept what they are taught whether it is true or not. Fears, insecurities, values and behavioural patterns were also passed down through the examples we were exposed to. Our minds were formed, and we had no say in it.

It is imperative for us to fully know and understand truth to be able to enjoy a positive, successful transformation. It is not always possible to experience truth because we are governed, controlled, blinded, and paralysed by what we believe. What we believe is what we were taught and what we ourselves have further learnt. What we ourselves further learnt made us become set in our ways. What were we taught? What did we ourselves further learn?

What is truth?

Truth is regarded as abstract, indefinable, and immeasurable. How is it, then, possible that we can use this word on an almost daily basis? Truth is experienced every moment, but what is truth? How can we define and measure truth?

Consider sharing a glass of great wine with a friend. You can see it, you can touch it, you can hear it, you can smell it, and you can taste it.

Our five senses provide us with the rational systems of proof, and only truth will fit within the parameters of our five inborn senses. We are born with the ability to define and measure truth. Truth has and will always be on full display. Truth is simple, obvious, and on the surface; there is, therefore, no need for arguments or for digging to discover it. If it can't be measured or defined by our senses, it simply does not exist. Truth cannot and does not change, alter, or improve but remains constant. Completely transparent and tangible, truth cannot, therefore, be covered up, hidden, or suppressed. By using and exercising our senses, we awaken truth. The more we experience truth, the more alert and heightened our senses become and the more self-awareness develops.

If it is not truth, then it is lies, falsehoods, perceptions, and deceptions.

Who am I? What is the purpose of my life? What is my life based on? What do I believe? What are my fears?  What are my insecurities? Are my thoughts my own? Do I lie?

At a young age we learnt how lies were rewarded and truth punished. Continuing through adulthood we mastered the art of lying to the point at which we even believe our own lies. How often, when asked for an opinion or advice, and not wanting to offend or hurt someone with an honest response, have we lied? A lie is the foundation for insecurity, because it is nonexistent. After being lied to, although we may feel good, we have a false sense of security. It is very damaging when, years later in our lives, we find that we have based ourselves on lies or falsehoods. The greatest harm or offence that one could commit is to respond with a lie when asked for an opinion or advice. Truth does not offend, and truth should never be misconstrued as a criticism. Truth, which is the same for everyone, fosters complete transparency. It removes all masks, pretences, and falseness so that who we are to ourselves is who we are to others.

With truth relegated to mental and spiritual realms we find ourselves disconnected from the obvious reality, including ourselves—who we are on the outside is who we are on the inside. Who we are physically clearly reflects who we are mentally and spiritually. Our physical bodies expose our subconscious. To make mental or spiritual improvements we should then start by making physical improvements. Who we are within manifests itself physically. Our physical bodies reflect the state of our minds. Do we see who we are? Do we hear who we are? By applying truth, i.e., our senses, to whom we are and what we believe, we are able to examine ourselves thoroughly. Only then can we also successfully determine and assess where improvement is required, whether it be physical, mental, and/or spiritual. Applying truth means making a permanent improvement, rather than a temporary change. Truth provides the necessary strength and courage needed to face and accept reality and leaves us with no option but to improve ourselves. By not treating the effects of any problem, but, rather, addressing the cause of it, truth ensures that improvement is permanent and ongoing.     

Fear was the most powerful weapon used to weaken, break down, manipulate, and control our minds. Sometimes we were even severely, physically disciplined by a ‘firm hand of love’ until we conformed and followed unconditionally. When fear establishes itself, paralysis sets in. Fear and love cannot coexist. Neither can fear and confidence. The lifeblood of all falsehoods and any evil system ever conceived is fear. Truth focuses, recognises, and exposes the learnt tactics and behavioural patterns of all fear mongers and dispels it as baseless, unfounded, nonexistent, lies, falsehoods, deceptions, perceptions, and inhuman acts of greed, corruption and brutality. Many organisations, religious sects, and evil cults were founded on the fear of the unknown. Truth is indeed the most powerful tool and makes all things known. The only 'fear of the unknown' one should have is that of being unknown to oneself. Fear and its origins pale into insignificance when sought and confronted by truth. Any form of fear is unacceptable; truth makes the unacceptable, unacceptable.

Have we accepted, adopted and reproduced the behavioural patterns of our fear mongers?

In an age in which unlimited information is available at one's fingertips, we have allowed our intelligence to stand in the way of common sense. It seems that the more educated we become the more easily we are manipulated; the more we learn the less we know. We accept as truth anything and everything we read or hear. Bombarded with noise and useless, detrimental information, we surrender our very identity, our minds. Our minds cluttered and heads filled to the brim, we struggle to give ourselves a single thought. Continuous outside influences now, it seems, direct our every footstep. With all our senses shut down, we walk around, empty human shells overloaded with information, fears, and insecurities. We are stressed and have no time for ourselves; i.e., no time for exercising and no time to relax and enjoy ourselves. Yet we have sufficient time to recuperate in hospital. Truth recognises the fact that there are still sixty seconds in a minute and twenty-four hours in a day. To regain control over our minds and lives we need to retake ownership of our minds. It is by the constant bombardment of our own reminders and by limiting our intake of useless and detrimental information that we can regain personal control.

Change is inevitable. It is a complete waste of time to strive for 'temporary change'. We are changing with each passing moment whether we like or not, even if we are doing nothing at all. To change from good to bad is also a 'change'. Change is merely a shift in position. Improvement, on the other hand, means making a consistent effort to always move forward in a positive direction of betterment—an upgrade or purification. The decision to make an improvement and aligning it with truth leaves us with the clear understanding that it's a decision made for life. 

Is it not high time that we all became accountable to truth? Truth challenges us to lead by example. If we do not oppose that which we know is wrong within ourselves, can we go on condoning it? We do not find truth; for to know truth, we need to live in truth. When we live in truth then we are in truth and only then can the important question ‘who am I’ be answered. When we are aligned with truth, each of us has the opportunity to fully recognise and understand who we are; i.e., our behaviour, thoughts, strengths, weaknesses, talents, and even our body. Truth is our only assurance of personal growth. It guarantees physical, mental and spiritual improvement and development. Truth guides, comforts and gives strength, thus providing ongoing support towards improvement and effective opposition against any possible inner conflict.

Have we, as the human race, made any improvements? We are born equal and we die equal; should we then not live in equality? We are born in truth and we die in truth; should we then not live in truth? Why should truth prevail only in the end? Why not right now! Truth can be enjoyed in every present moment. The only foundation on which peace, love, and happiness can grow and develop is truth.

The only thing that exists in reality is truth. Reality is not abstract, and neither is truth. The ‘finality of reality’ is undeniable. Truth is how it is.
Armed with truth as our advocate, we are now ready to begin the personal journey of transformation.