We know what the sun is, we see it every day; we feel its warmth. We know what the moon is; we have even walked upon its surface. But what is truth? There are many definitions, but it seems likely the Buddha was referring to the ideal of Truth, that fundamental reality which permeates all perceived experiences. Truth is the silence between the notes, the blank page, the empty canvass. It is what is left when all our attachments, delusions, and judgments are dissolved away. The interesting thing about Truth is that it cannot be hidden except by our own permission. It is always there, ever present. Words cannot even touch it, much less conceal it. Truth is far beyond the trivial machinations of human society.
People tell lies all the time, for all kinds of reasons. There is an old joke, "How do you know a [lawyer, politician, etc.] is lying? His lips are moving." Humor aside, you could apply the same joke to all humans, and you might not be too far off. It is our nature to create, invent, and imagine. We choose words and symbols to communicate our own unique perceptions of the Universe, but no words or symbols can accurately encapsulate the actual experience of living one's life.
The underlying Truth of existence can only be observed in the singularity of each empty moment, the point at which there is no time, there is no space, there is no self. Everybody experiences this, at various times. Such accidental brushes with Truth are usually fleeting, however, and few ever recognize them for what they are. Fewer still ever learn to get there on their own.
Meditation is, of course, the best vessel we have for realizing Truth. When the mind is calm, the body relaxed, and the spirit serene...there it is. It was there all along, like the sun in the sky, only momentarily obscured by passing clouds. Thankfully, even in the rainiest place on earth...sometimes the sun shines.
~ Heather Haze
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