Acknowledging the Contradictions
from In Search of the True Light
Part 2
After contrasting the beliefs of various religions and sects,
it is easy to see that they often exhibit irreconcilable differences on major
doctrinal issues. In the mind of any studious, sincere and reflective person,
questions such as the following will inevitably surface:
And the inescapable questions keep surfacing,
again and again?????
These are certainly not trifling issues, of negligible
importance. These are matters of deep concern for all of us. The validity and
the dependability of the doctrines we embrace determine whether or not the "seven
pillars of wisdom" we choose crumble or stand forever!
Choosing Between Three Options
So what are we going to do with all of this conflicting data?
At this 'pivotal point' we are constrained to choose one
of the following three options:
(1) Ignore-We can ignore the contradictions and
refuse to deal with them.
(2) Synthesize-We can make a supreme,
philosophical effort to force all these views into syncretistic, monistic
harmony.
(3) Distinguish Right from Wrong-We can carefully
review all of these concepts in order to discern that which is correct:
retaining what is right and discarding what is wrong.
Normally, only those who passionately love the truth find it.
Because ordinarily, only lovers of truth are willing to pay the price that truth
demands. And what is that price? First, it often involves becoming intensely
focused on transcendental things, at the expense of sacrificing, neglecting or
rising above things which are temporal. Second, it often involves a willingness
to sacrifice beliefs that are dear or comfortable to us, culturally,
intellectually and religiously. This is certainly not easy, but necessary at
times.
So pause for a moment. Recommit yourself to the role of a
truth-seeker. Dare to scrutinize your own heart-then release it to explore
possibilities-without the restraint of preset doctrinal biases. Purpose in your
heart of hearts that whatever cost is involved in knowing the mysteries of God,
you are more than willing to pay it. My hope and prayer is that your love for
the truth will undergird you with strength, put the fire of discernment in your
eyes, and guide you like a knowledgeable boatman in this journey of all
journeys-from the dark shore of spiritual uncertainty to the bright shore of
absolute assurance.
Is Truth Really Relative?
As a yoga teacher, I taught that all world religions were
just different paths to the same God. I firmly believed that part of walking in
the "True Light" involved accepting the monistic view that 'All is One.'
However, I could not hide my eyes, nor my heart, from the evident contradictions
that kept rising to the surface of my worldview. The more I studied, the more I
wondered, "Was I trying to mix oil and water?" (These two liquids, when
vigorously shaken, seem to blend, but within a few moments they always separate.
Philosophically, was I doing the same thing: 'forcing' a merging of all
religions, which given to themselves would automatically separate?)
During this pivotal phase, I poured over numerous books and
pamphlets dealing with the human condition. Comments similar to the following
from S. Radhakrishnan seemed to prop open the door of understanding:
"The truth, which is the kernel of every religion, is
one and the same; doctrines, however, differ considerably since they are
the applications of the truth to the human situationRites, ceremonies,
systems and dogmas lead beyond themselves to a region of utter clarity and
so have only relative truthEvery work, every concept is a
pointer which points beyond itself. The sign should not be mistaken for
the thing signified. The sign-post is not the destination."1
Statements like this temporarily stilled my concerns. They
seemed to exude compassion and wisdom. Yet this idea of 'relativism'
increasingly left me with an uncomfortable feeling. I pondered, "How can
anything be correctly labeled 'Truth' if it is true only for those who can relate
to it because of their culture, tradition or era? If it is untrue for others,
how can it be substantive at all?"
Convincing myself that truth is relative felt like
cutting a boat free from its moorings-with no sails, no oars, no steering
mechanism and no fuel for the engine-to drift on an ocean of human speculation.
If relativism is correct, why should the 'truth-seeker' confine
himself within the boundaries of a single religion? If none of them has a
verifiable belief system that is universally acceptable and eternally
dependable, why adhere to any religious dogma?
Why should a Buddhist believe in Buddhism, a Christian in
Christianity, a Hindu in Hinduism, a Muslim in Islam or a Jainist in Jainism-if
the doctrinal base of all these religions, as well as their ceremonial
traditions, are filled with erroneous assumptions, wrong beliefs and false
conclusions? If God is beyond human reasoning, and if differences of opinion
concerning his nature are simply the by-product of human imagination (as
relativism suggests), why should we even bother investigating the recorded
explanations of various religions concerning his character and being?
Eventually I realized that I had to make a choice. I had to
choose between two possible scenarios. Either truth is vague, all-inclusive,
fully syncretistic and doctrinal differences have no real relevance. Or truth is
precise, definable and exclusive, and doctrinal differences have extreme
relevance-demanding the discarding of certain beliefs in order to embrace
others. If the former is true, then it matters little what any religion promotes
as truth. Words and concepts are just symbolic. Wrong concepts and warped views
will all blend into one Ultimate Reality anyway, like muddy rivers emptying into
the ocean, to be purified in the process. However, if truth is definable and
exclusive, words and concepts are of absolute importance.
Something drastic happened when I dared to entertain the
latter of these two conclusions as the probable scenario. Inspiration, like a
mother eagle, flapped its wings without warning and threw my soul like a baby
eaglet into the air, so it could learn how to fly. It wasn't long before I
caught the wind under my wings.
At this point, you may want to
explore:
1 The World's Great Religions (New
York: Time Incorporated, 1957) p. 38.
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