Simple truths are simple truth.

Recently I heard people saying “My truth” a lot these days. I feel a bit strange when I hear that, so I will try to find out where those feelings come from.

Tao Sangha study the teachings of Saint Bennei, who is called Shakyamuni Buddha in the modern age. He wrote a book “Skin and bone marrow of the teachings of the founder”. He explained there is a way to understand teachings. Some understand it at skin level which only sees the surface, and there is a deep understanding like born marrow, which is the core of teachings.

I think the “Truth” is the same. When people say “my truth”, it shows right away it’s very shallow, because this person defines truth personally. This person’s truth is applying to only one person and only at that moment. It is a very narrow truth.

As Friedrich Nietzsche said “There are no facts, only interpretations.”, this is the same thing.

And there is a much deeper and universal truth which is called Dharma in Buddhism, the law of the universe. It applies to anyone in the world and at any time, it doesn’t change from thousands of years ago and thousands of years later. But there are interesting contradictions there. If you think you got this Dharma, then it’ll slip through your hands. As soon as you are attached to what you found or anything (materials, money, etc.), then it leaves you.

How to find the Truth? If you are really looking for the Truth, and determined to find it, there are two things that need to be done thoroughly.

One is to thoroughly doubt yourself. Above all, doubt yourself. Doubt your motivations, is it only for yourself? Doubt how you think, are there any emotions that affect you to think that way? Doubt what you see is not biased? Doubt that what you recognise is not a projection of your ego? Etc. etc.

Second is thoroughly “Practice as it is”.
Which sounds like conflicting with the first one, but interestingly it’s not.

There are a lot of “How to succeed” books. If you really completely follow and do what ‘s written, then you’ll succeed. For sure.

But not many people succeed. Why? Because they don’t “practice as it is”. They make excuses not to follow, because they doubt it. They doubt it and don’t do it. So, no way they’ll be access.

Doubts and not doing, both together are the worst, they can’t do anything in life. Only thing they do is to complain about others and situations. Their attitude is “I’m right”, because they don’t doubt their thoughts, and they tend to say “I’m doing it”, and make excuses “others are bad”, so they don’t have to change.

Please don’t fall into these pitfalls. This pitfall is called “Victim mind”. The source of anger.

“Doubting” and “Practice as it is”, doing both together is the true practice. Keep practicing and at the same time, wondering if this is the best way to practice? Try to find a better way all the time and do verification. Improve each time. Never stop developing.

This is very hard work. If your motivation is for yourself, then it is very hard to keep it up. The motivation has got to be for others. That’s why you can keep practicing and improving infinitely.

And this is the way all our masters and teachers have shown us how to practice. Master Honen, Saint Bennei, Shakyamuni Buddha and Jesus Christ too. None of them practiced for themselves, their whole life was to make others happy.

So, why not truly follow them.

Wish for all to live with the truth.