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Does everyone know?

TheJourneyTheJourney
edited October 2010 in Buddhism Basics
I guess you could say the truth? I'm not saying I 100% know the truth, but i'm certainly more aware of it than I used to be and I appear to me more aware of it than a lot of people. That being said, is it that I know it, or is it that it's out there in all of us in somewhat of a universal consciousness and different people are just more tuned into it than others?

Comments

  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    edited October 2010
    How do you know you're tapped into universal consciousness and are not just clinging to the idea? Do you have a way to prove it (not to me, I have no reason to doubt you, but to yourself)?
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    ShiftPlusOne wrote: »
    How do you know you're tapped into universal consciousness and are not just clinging to the idea? Do you have a way to prove it (not to me, I have no reason to doubt you, but to yourself)?

    It's not necessary to prove. I don't cling to it. It's like, i'm confident in the conclusions i'm reaching, but i'm always willing to be proven wrong. In fact I don't mind being proven wrong at all, as all that means is that i'm coming into more knowledge.
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited October 2010
    One cannot teach or learn Ultimate Truth or Absolute Truth (often equated to Enlightenment or Nirvana); but it can be realized by actually experiencing it. I tend to think that this Truth is there in all of us just waiting to be realized and experienced by practicing morality, mindfulness, right view, etc....

    BTW, I am presuming you are not talking about conceptual truths which are expressed in thoughts based on concepts.
  • ShiftPlusOneShiftPlusOne Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Yeah, but you've go to test your conclusions... you can't just rely on faith and certainty. I thought Buddhism was open to be tested, no?
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    sukhita-I don't know what you mean by "conceptual truths which are expressed in thoughts based on concepts" but I agree with you that it is within all of us waiting to be experienced.

    shiftplusone-very true. One should always be testing what one discovers, but ultimately it cannot affect you or your actions.
  • upekkaupekka Veteran
    edited October 2010
    TheJourney wrote: »
    but i'm always willing to be proven wrong. In fact I don't mind being proven wrong at all, as all that means is that i'm coming into more knowledge.
    it seems, still there is a bit of doubt
  • sukhitasukhita
    edited October 2010
    TheJourney wrote: »
    ..... I don't know what you mean by "conceptual truths which are expressed in thoughts based on concepts" but I agree with you that it is within all of us waiting to be experienced.

    There are truths one realizes through "insight" arising from meditation or deep contemplation. Then there are truths that one learns from books, logical arguments, etc.. which are generally regarded as "conceptual" truths - these are important and necessary in our day-to-day living; but truths realized through "insight" is what will ultimately liberate us. This is how I understand it. :)
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    sukhita wrote: »
    There are truths one realizes through "insight" arising from meditation or deep contemplation. Then there are truths that one learns from books, logical arguments, etc.. which are generally regarded as "conceptual" truths - these are important and necessary in our day-to-day living; but truths realized through "insight" is what will ultimately liberate us. This is how I understand it. :)

    Ah. This makes sense. This is why I need to meditate more.
  • SherabDorjeSherabDorje
    edited October 2010
    In Mahayana and Vajrayana we all have "primordial wisdom". Maybe that answers the question, at least partially.
  • TheJourneyTheJourney
    edited October 2010
    SherabDorje wrote: »
    In Mahayana and Vajrayana we all have "primordial wisdom". Maybe that answers the question, at least partially.

    I would say so. And yet again I can understand both points of view.
  • seeker242seeker242 Zen Florida, USA Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Does everyone know what? Truth? What is that and how do you know what you think is truth is actually the real truth?
  • MountainsMountains Veteran
    edited October 2010
    Someone else's truth is always going to be truer than yours...
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