It is a wonder that we humans can even communicate. However, we do; words relatively mean the same thing for the most part for most of us. Although, we do not understand the truth in the absolute sense we do often have a sense of it.
When talking about truth it is easy to make the word mean two different things at the very same time. It can mean relative truth, which is owned by the observer or refer to absolute truth, which may or may not exist. However, if it does exist, absolute truth that is, it is flawless, unchanging, timeless, and it explains and unifies everything. It is confusing when the reference is not clear as to what one is talking about.
If absolute truth cannot exist, the rational mind concludes that God is an illusion. This thought is based on the valid assumption that truth is rational and can be known. If relative truth or the truth that we perceive as individuals is so different from anyone else’s belief than it can explain why we have problems communicating. However, once again, the rational mind questions if relative truth is not shared and thus "understandable" then; how are we communicating?
If one concludes that relative truth is shared enough for us to come to a meeting of the minds, it begs the question of How? If there is no basis for rational truth to compass from, or be based on...How then does it work?
Relative truth can be both true and untrue at the very same time. The Koans of Zen use this attribute of relative truth to cause the shock of reflectivity to the initiate. They use questions such as: "What is the sound of one hand clapping?" (Deals with conflict) or "If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?" (This deals with understanding that just because one does not understand or observe something; it does not make it untrue or nonexistent.) Here is a classic example of relative truth showing two opposing viewpoints at the very same time:
GODISNOWHERE
What does it say?
God is now here –or– God is nowhere?
No comments:
Post a Comment