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The Adventure of Truth

The Adventure of Truth

I have heard from several disparate sources in the past few weeks the notion that following the truth is the most adventurous way to live one’s life.


Initially, this sounds like some trite saying you would see on a bumper sticker or a t-shirt that someone wears to the gym, but the more I have thought about it, the more it has resonated.


The best thing about reading books and articles and listening to podcasts and audiobooks across different fields has been the connection of ideas and principles that start to take shape.


The core attestation in the truth equals adventure claim is that by using truth as a guide, we cede control to the powers that be outside of our rational mind and operate by some “feeling” instead.


This sounds a bit woo-woo, but then again, the esoteric is what I find to be the most interesting when it comes to thought experiments.


I heard from another source - the creator of Veggie Tale’s autobiography to be exact - that there is almost assuredly some gap between what we think God wants us to do with our lives and what God actually wants us to do with our lives.


It is easy in religious traditions to craft a God that acts and thinks in the ways that you do.


In reality, most Gods of major religions operate in a realm outside of time and space with omniscience and omnipresence, so to attempt to determine that you know what path has been set out for you is quite the challenge.


At best, we could come up with some plan that we justify to ourselves as largely good and aligning with what we choose to be moral within our particular worldview. At worst, it allows us to falsely justify some pretty horrendous things in the name of justice, which history has shown all too well.


The path of seeking truth is different.


It takes one small leap of woo-woo-ness to get there in that you have to concede that truth is some concept that is real although it exists primarily in the abstract.


I can only speak for myself and my own experiences, but I feel like I know in my life that certain thoughts, words, and actions feel true, and others, not so much.


My efforts in my reading and learning journey have attempted to be towards learning more and seeking out truth and knowledge which can hopefully crystallize into wisdom through repetitions and experience.


There are many different sources across religions that make claims like “the truth shall set you free.”


Living a life that is purely congruent seems like a lofty goal.


There have been periods of my life where I follow the gut feeling of truth and honesty in difficult situations and although the immediate consequences may be tough to bear, the inner feelings of peace are unmatched, and the decisions only seem better and better with hindsight.


In fact, it has been at those times in my life where I have tried to deceive myself.


I have tried to convince myself that this or that path, decision, or person is who I want to be and to strive for when I knew deep down that there were other motivations.


While I initially dismissed the claims of truth leading to the most adventure, the more I have thought about it, the more I believe it to be valid.


By turning over the reigns to the feelings of truth in my life, I am no longer in the captain’s chair plotting out a course and trying to justify why it is correct.


Instead, I can live a life of congruence and harmony in which I follow the path of least resistance.


Except, instead of opting for the path of least external resistance, I will aim for the path with the least internal resistance.

 

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