A Closer Look

By Lori Brothers

People cannot change truth, but truth can change people.

I’ve always welcomed the teachings of wise ones, poets, and saints. They give me glimmers of truth to hold up to the sun of my awareness to weigh and measure in my heart and mind. When truth is crystal clear and pure, you feel it. Then you know. A diamond of truth -- in clarity and color, speaks to the heart, and illumines mind.

Challenging what you think you know, and what you’ve taken for granted as truth, can be a spiritual journey. The result brings inner riches, often outer change, and depth of new wisdom to own and to share.

Have you ever heard the story about the people of Kalama? In the village of Kesaputta there lived a clan called the Kalamas. One day Buddha visited the village and this clan raised questions about how to make sense of the contradictions from the many teachings of different sages passing through their community.

From this inquiry came Buddha’s reply, known as The Kalama Sutta, a guide for “free inquiry,” to discern truth. Before we get to some of the specifics, it is worth noting that the spirit of the teaching is based on embracing truth exempt of intolerance, fanaticism, and bigotry. In other words, pragmatic approach without judgment or prejudice sets a firm foundation to find truth.

As teachings unfold the importance of remembering that free inquiry is best based on critical thinking is highlighted. By harnessing the courage to challenge the norm and “the known,” either confirmation or honest dispute will arise. Remember that while traditions have value, questioning what is true, in this now moment, can bring innovation, growth, and freedom.

Also, learn to trust yourself. The skills of following your gut and listening to your heart are quite soulful. As you integrate this with reason, the result is the balance of heart and head. This ultimately is how you develop the knowledge of how you really feel, in your body and in your being. You discern what is right from what is not right (as opposed to wrong). This is how logic and intuition merge.

Buddha’s biggest message is to question everything. Don’t be afraid to question authorities, traditions, your own belief systems. The more you learn to listen carefully to what is being said by others, or within yourself, the more you develop a clear sense of what is true. Listening can be in the form of watching and feeling as well as hearing. With practice, all your senses become discernment instruments.

• Do not believe anything merely on the authority of your teachers and priests.

This precept was self-inclusive. Buddha really wanted the Kalamas, and all of us, to question within themselves (ourselves) and measure any teaching, or “truth” from inside of our own being, not only through acceptance from external authority.

A teacher or any person who has integrity will welcome and encourage a questioning student.

“Truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it. Let it lose, it will defend itself,” said St. Augustine.

The truth carries its own strength. This process of clarifying purifies by purging that which cannot resonate with truth's high frequency. This measure of quality forges the diamond. Between mainstream news and social media, the deluge of information, some conflicting, some chaotic, can be overwhelming.

It is right to question what is true. Make the time to take a closer look. Free inquiry has the merit of wisdom which can determine the good through discernment. Delve below the surface. Remember to measure all in the heart and examine with the skillful use of mind. Be confident to open questions without judgment. You will begin to determine what is true because you will know in your being -- it is so, or it is not so.

Truth is the property of no individual, but is the treasure of all men. Ralph Waldo Emmerson.