Pursue truth, but don’t let it control you
There is an old story. It is known as the parable of the blind men and the elephant. Originating in the ancient Indian subcontinent many centuries ago, it has circled the globe in an effort to explain the various perspectives available within one single, over-arching truth.
Because of its deeply useful philosophy to remember that not all we see is the complete truth, alternate versions of the parable are found throughout many cultures of the eastern world in Buddhist, Jain, Baha’i, Hindu and Sufi Muslim texts. Later spreading throughout Europe and the west, the story takes on even further significance worldwide as a metaphor for retaining our sense of humility regarding objective truth.
In the story, a group of blind men who’ve never seen an elephant before encounter one upon the road. The men surround the elephant, and each takes stock of one of its parts in an effort to understand the whole. One feels the elephant’s side, one feels the tusk, one feels the trunk, another feels its ear. They argue about their discoveries and claim dishonesty from among the others. In some versions of the tale, the blind men nearly kill one another from disagreement, for they know with certainty that their perspective is correct.
In the Hindu collection of Sanskrit hymns known as the Rigveda, composed over 3,000 years ago, the idea is expressed as follows: “Reality is one, though wise men speak of it variously.” This is not claiming that any of their perspectives is incorrect; rather, it is acknowledging that truth has many forms, even ones that appear to be in conflict with the others. This way of viewing it allows room for truth to exist within the gaps of their differences. There is grace and benevolence here.
The Buddha is also said to have spoken the following verse in reference to his use of the parable in his own teachings: “Oh how they cling and wrangle, some who claim for preacher and monk the honored name! For, quarreling, each to his view they cling. Such folk see only one side of a thing.”
What part of the elephant of Ultimate Reality are you feeling? Are you holding the tusk or the tail? Are you claiming that life is like a spear or like a rope? Are you holding the elephant’s ear and feeling the large leaf of a plant, claiming that to be the Ultimate Reality? Where is your humility? Where is your beginner’s mind?
There is wisdom in letting go. The truth will be the truth no matter what we believe personally. The Ultimate Reality exists with or without our acknowledgment. Existing in a state of openness gives permission for truth to evolve closer and closer to its natural unspun state. Even this we may not be able to comprehend without bias. But choose to expose yourself to it nonetheless and, with love, do your best to discern what is real.
Let go of the truth. Let go of needing to be correct. Let truth and correctness be whatever they are, and pray for truth to reveal itself. Empty yourself of expectation, and open yourself beyond what you think you see to discover further layers of truth within.
The truth belongs to you, however elusive it may be. It is your right and duty to pursue it. But let it not control you. Let your curiosity become the holiest thing about you.
Wil Darcangelo, M. Div., is the minister at First Parish UU Church of Fitchburg and of First Church of Christ Unitarian in Lancaster. He is the producer of The UU Virtual Church of Fitchburg and Lancaster on YouTube and host of the Our Common Dharma podcast series. Email wildarcangelo@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @wildarcangelo. His blog, Hopeful Thinking, can be found at www.hopefulthinkingworld.blogspot.co m.