Is It Real?
“The first point of wisdom is to discern that which is false; the second, to know that which is true.” ― Lactantius
As students go back to school next week in Central Texas, they will hopefully be inspired to learn many new things. Sadly, one skill, highly needed now, is not likely to be on any curriculum.
Discernment. The ability to discern for oneself what is real, what is truth, or what direction Spirit is calling us has become a vital necessity these days.
Wondering why the vitriol and polarization about some thoughts and actions in the WNBA had risen dramatically this past month, my ears perked up when the same question arose between two national sports commentators I recently listened to in a podcast.
Early in their conversation, “upcoming mid-term elections” was mentioned by one of them. That answer rang true to me and helped me discern my truth (yours might be different). I was reminded of how keeping us divided is a strategy used to retain or gain power.
“All people deserve respect, but not all ideas do.” ― Johann Hari
Whether we feel we have the energy for engaging in discernment or not, the rise of AI, today’s political landscape, and the rapid explosion of people acting without thought that can arise from text chains and social media posts calls out for deliberate pauses for discernment.
Engaging with the world from the perspective of our wiser, more contemplative self is critical to discerning whether we’re hearing, reading, or seeing ideas that lead to truth or we are being manipulated into believing the world is more divisive than it actually is.
How do you discern what is real or on its way to guiding you toward your truth? For me it’s pausing long enough to notice how information lands in my heart and body. Also, deliberately pulling back to look at something from a different point of view. Whatever your way is, consider going back to school to strengthen your discernment skills. Then objectively note all the “tests” the world keeps offering for you to practice them.
May you be blessed with a strong inner guidance system to discern what is real as you navigate your way through the twists and turns of life.
“It’s funny: I always imagined when I was a kid that adults had some kind of inner toolbox full of shiny tools: the saw of discernment, the hammer of wisdom, the sandpaper of patience. But then when I grew up I found that life handed you these rusty bent old tools – friendships, prayer, conscience, honesty – and said ‘do the best you can with these, they will have to do’. And mostly, against all odds, they do.” ―Anne Lamott
I’m Not Saying We Shouldn’t Be Angry
I’m not saying we shouldn’t be angry.
Anger seems reasonable. But perhaps
we will do what I’ve heard the Inuit do—
spend the emotion on walking, walk a line
until all the anger has left our bodies.
The moment the Inuit notice the anger is gone,
replaced, perhaps, by sadness or fear,
compassion or just a quietness,
they mark that spot with an object
to show the extent of their anger.
And perhaps, if we’re lucky, when we walk
this way, it will be a long enough walk
that we arrive at each other’s doors,
object in hand, and when the object
leaves our grip, we’ll be able to use our hands
to greet each other, touch each other’s faces,
point to the horizon to all the other places
we might choose to walk now together.
—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, A Hundred Falling Veils
