Are You a Seeker of Truth?
How can we determine if a person is a seeker of truth and
not just a seeker of "truths" he desires? Which character
traits and mental habits does a true seeker have? Do you think
you are looking for the truth above all else?
Looking for the truth so easily becomes "looking for
the truth that confirms my existing beliefs." I address
this in my book Beyond Mental Slavery, along with ego-identification
with ideas and various other traps we fall into when thinking.
An obvious sign of a true seeker is a person who challenges
his or her own ideas regularly. How many of us do that? Doing
so doesn't mean we necessarily drop what we believe, but when
we really want the truth, we have to be willing to give up any
belief, including our most sacred ones. If they are not the most
accurate description of reality available, we have to trade them
in for new ones - at least if we have truth as or goal.
To understand this better, it helps to look at thinking which
is not aimed at truth as the ultimate goal. Those who hold to
the religious view that the Earth is 6,000 years-old, for example,
almost certainly do not have truth as their aim. The Earth is
clearly millions of years old (clear to anyone who does the most
basic investigation of the science done in this area. Here's
a question that makes this evident if answered honestly: How
many of these "young Earthers" would have arrived at
this estimate of age through honest research if their religions
and holy books never existed? The plain truth is that even those
who wish to impose a scientific veneer on their beliefs only
look for "evidence" which confirms the conclusion they
have already arrived at. It seems likely that if the holy books
said the earth was flat, their followers would argue that the
pictures from space have all been faked.
This religious approach does not demonstrate any interest
in understanding the world, but only in defending a particular
set of beliefs already held. A true seeker of truth can't ignore
the evidence of the senses and mind, even if this means altering
his or her beliefs. Now let's take a look at other traits you
might want to develop if you want the truth.
Have an Open Mind
Even scientists can become religious in approach, preferring
to defend the status quo rather than explore radical new ideas.
You need an open mind to be a true seeker. If carbon-dating and
other standards of science are proven to be flawed, then a seeker
of truth would have to question even the scientifically accepted
age of our planet. A truly open mind is ready to change any view
as the evidence points to new understandings. On the other hand,
this doesn't suggest that you should welcome any unsupported
idea or belief. It is closed-minded to ignore reasonable explanations
in favor of "fun" or preferred ones, such holding onto
beliefs that aliens make crop circles after the human creators
have demonstrated how they do it.
Challenge Your Own Ideas
Looking for the truth means you're willing to challenge and
even throw away your most sacred ideas and beliefs. For truth
to be paramount, all convictions must be disposable. Consider
the example of a woman who has always believed that "lying
is wrong," but one day faces a circumstance where a lie
is the morally correct choice. Perhaps a murderer asks where
the kids are hiding. She has to either challenge her definition
of "lying" or her belief that it is always immoral
- or deny the truth she sees and do something immoral as a result
(put her children in danger).
Seeker of Truth continues here... Truth
Seeker
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