THE TREADMILL OF ‘TRUTH’
Our personal truth changes with time. Trends change, values change – a paradigm shift in our approach and thinking. What was a virtue in yesteryears is today seen as wrong and outdated. Even during our own lifetime we see our ‘truth’ being tested and often replaced by contemporary values and modes of thinking.
The world changes every second. Time moves with its nonchalant manner, uncaring and oblivious to our feelings or circumstances. Our life changing events, some not within our control and others deliberate, calculated decisions, have an impact on our beliefs, sometimes long-held beliefs. I have seen many people backtracking in life on what at one time were strongly held beliefs.
Our thought process can be very fluid, unless we have firmly held views based on a doctrine tested over time, for example, complete trust and belief in our faith and associated scriptures. Our circumstances change with time and occasionally an unexpected event may turn our lives upside down. These are testing phases for our beliefs and character. Minds and spirits yoked to time-tested doctrines will withstand the adversity and the individual will come out stronger and more committed to dearly held values. In contrast those with fickle minds and ritualistic held beliefs will cede to circumstances leading to a paradigm shift in thinking, values and beliefs; yesterday’s held truths are no longer relevant, appealing or credible.
Therefore, it is essential that we structure our lives on and around doctrines offering absolute truths, truths that will withstand the test of time, truths that will form the basis of our very existence, tenets which become second nature and automatically come to the fore as scenarios and circumstances change.
As a Sikh Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) ticks all the right boxes and keeps me firmly rooted to the values it propounds. SGGS is not only my guide and master it is also a panacea for all my ills and afflictions.
‘arshi’ July 2016