Harder to Find The Truth
MY RESPONSE:
Rebbe Schneerson, zt"l, says like this:
There are many truths. There is a truth for every being and for every particle of the universe - for each one reflects its Master in a different way.
To seek truth means more than finding your own truth. It means finding a truth that works for you and for the other guy, for now and forever, in this place and everywhere, for the body and for the soul, for the sage and for the young, innocent child.
The highter the truth, the fewer boundaries it knows.[1]
There are two paths you could take: An easier path or a harder one.
Knowing that [HaShem] is everything, you may wish to reject all the world stands for. Since everything is emptiness, you may deny yourself even basic necessities, living far and removed from the banalities of mankind, engaging only in the truths of the spirit, running from the confines of physical, mundane life.
This is the easier path.
On the other hand, knowing that within each thing [HaShem] can be found, you may be inspired to refine and elevate our world, struggling with all its facets to find their true purpose, grabbing every opportunity to squeeze out a little more of the world's inherent goodness, living a spiritual life by using physical things in an enlightened way.
Both paths are true paths, and great sages have tread them both. But the second, more difficult one is the one we will all have the most benefit from, espeically today.[2]
[1] = pg.105, "Bringing Heaven Down to Earth, compiled by Tzvi Freeman," 1999.
[2] = pg. 107, ibid.
See also, BRINGING HEAVEN DOWN TO EARTH.
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Question is.... Does anyone really want the truth? Could we handle the truth in all its radiant glory? Isn't this why so many would rather believe and/or propagate and/or sell a non-truth?
ReplyDeleteMy own cyncism[*] grows by leaps and bounds with each passing day. People pay lip service to change, whilst demanding the truth, but few if any earnestly strive toward them -- myself included!
When I hear the words, "Good morning!" ... I have to laugh and wonder, "What's so good about it!? Has anything changed? Did social and economic disparity end, while I slept last night? Did a wave of teshuvah sweep across the globe? Has HaShem removed the Evil Inclination from the human equation?"
But, coward that I am, I just smile and surrender the obligatory and desired response - "Good morning!" Is there really any point in burdening others with my cyncism? Who am I to give mussar to others? Still I can't help but think the following:
There are no military solutions. There are no political solutions. There are no religious solutions. There never have been. There never will be. There are only personal choices. Today, I choose not to murder. Today, I choose not to hate. Today, I choose not to steal. Today, I choose life over death; love over anger; charity over greed. That is our true struggle - the struggle within - the struggle to tame our Evil Inclination and make it work for HaShem, instead of against Him.
But the world doesn't operate that way. Who wants to believe that HaShem is the ALL within the All of creation? Who wants to believe that everything - even the seemingly bad - is actually working toward the ultimate good? Who wants to believe in the absolute Oneness of HaShem? That would mean setting aside our own EGO and actually loving and respecting our fellow creatures. Tzelem Elokim? Chelek Elokim Mimaal? Teshuvah? Self-nullification? Gemilut Chasidim? Emunah?
Who wants to swallow those pills!? But isn't our reluctance a by-product of the "hastora betokh hastora"...? I don't know! You tell me....
[*] = An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others.