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A recent observation and question for you and me about our relationship to the world:

1. Do you believe that we observe nature and then formulate our beliefs about reality from what we observe?

2. Or, do you believe that we hold beliefs about reality and then later find evidence for these beliefs in nature?

I can say that I used to believe number one was true, and now I believe number two to be the truth.

Number one is the standard materialistic view of the universe where nature and matter exist outside of us; we observe it, then we make conclusions about what we observed. In this way we build our knowledge of what reality is. Science becomes the ultimate vehicle for determining what is true by cataloging our observations and leading us to draw certain conclusions based on these observations.

One question that arises from this view is, What role do human beings play in our reality if we believe all of what is real lies only outside of us? If it is true that humans can’t change their reality and only observe it then it seems that we are victims of circumstance. Something about that just doesn’t sit right with me.

Over time I grew to understand the second statement and ultimately embrace it as the truth. I now believe we hold certain things to be true and then what we observe is evidence that does or does not support it. This view is in alignment with so-called New Age views. I started to notice that by believing in the possibility of spiritual truths I began to have more experiences that provided evidence of a spiritual dimension. An open mind allowed me to let in the possibility of new truths, truths I did not notice with a closed mind. Over time I began to see that the things we experience in life are the result of our thoughts. If we change our thoughts, we change our experience.

Our beliefs color our observations

It should be noted that just because we believe a thing to be true doesn’t mean it is. Believing something is true before we have evidence for it does not mean we know it is true, it just means that we are open to receive all information. We still have to be discerning in collecting information and in forming our beliefs about reality. Science is indispensable, but, in order to form a complete picture of reality it needs to be coupled with the larger truth that our thoughts form our experiences.

I used to be the person who believed he was wrong at everything, and I always found evidence to support that belief. Now, I know that I am not wrong about everything so I am not fixed in the same kind of self-defeating observations as before. My thoughts about myself, other people and society have changed, and so have my experiences. I can see now that reality is not limited to what we can observe but is intimately tied into the unlimited imagination.

In a sea of talking heads and endless information how do we know what is the truth in today’s society? Who do we trust?

I think the truth can safely be defined as something we all want to get closer to which is also something that is in our own best interests to know.

Here are five ways we can improve the likelihood that we meet the truth in the busyness of modern times:

1. Avoid messages with too many emotionally charged words.

Words like liberal, conservative, terrorist, enemy, insurgents, Islam and national security are often used because they evoke a strong emotional reaction in us. We give away our own power when we allow those who use these emotionally charged words to direct our energy towards some end. By learning to recognize the usage of these words in the media and then separate ourselves from their emotional effects we begin develop our own discernment for truth.

The truth should be something that is in our own best interests to know.

2. Avoid fear. It’s easy to see how messages that incite fear are best kept at a distance. To be afraid is to lose control. Why would we want to expose ourselves to chaotic, fearful vibrations when we can choose to listen to other messages that are uplifting and vibrate positively? Something true would not contain fear if we have defined truth as something that we want to get closer to.

3. Who benefits? Too much information is often intended to direct our energies in a particular direction that is meant to benefit someone else. We must look closely to see if our own best interests are being served. Do they listen to us? Do they understand, not just our angers, but our dreams for ourselves and our society? Often our trust in others is taken advantage of when we choose to let fear guide our actions.

4. Be curious. Take time to absorb different viewpoints in a wide variety of subjects. The more knowledge we have the more likely we are to understand events in life. Sometimes the truth is hard to accept because it surprises us with its suddenness or its profound meaning. But we should be cautious here of letting this shock turn into a fear of accepting a new truth. We should not shut down from listening just because information seems outside our comfort zone.

5. A Trusted Friend. It is also a good idea to find a friend or relative that can be trusted and use them as a resource, and we can always ask a senior citizen.

The Cosmological Argument

Everything has a cause. The cause of all causes, the Prime Mover, necessarily exists because there must exist a first cause. God is the first cause.

The Cosmological Argument for the existence of God is appealing because it acknowledges that there must be a force behind all forces. Because all matter is vibration, all matter is movement. Where did everything get movement from? Why is there movement? Some force with causal capability must have put the vibration in our universe. That force is God.

The existence of a first cause is undeniable. Whether it’s a father-figure imposing rules or an energetic master orchestrating every movement in the universe is a matter of personal taste. What is clear is that some being/entity has caused all of us, and everything in existence to exist. For simplicity’s sake we can call that God.