True strength 🗡️

by Lian Brook-Tyler

True strength 🗡️

“The strength of a person's spirit* would then be measured by how much 'truth' he could tolerate, or more precisely, to what extent he needs to have it diluted, disguised, sweetened, muted, falsified.” Friedrich Nietzsche

This much-loved quote came to mind as I recorded a podcast episode - quite unexpectedly as the topic was AI and human consciousness.

And by ‘strength of a person’s spirit’, I see this as how ‘whole’ a person is - ie how far along the path of the soul one is.

So I see these words less a badge of honour (“Oh, give me truth! I’m strong and I can take it! Not like those weak-minded people over there!”) and more a portal of enquiry… “Where do I need life to be diluted, disguised, sweetened, muted, falsified?” And then to go find and tend the wound that creates that need.

Note, this is a challenging and humbling enquiry to enter into because our lack of tolerance of truth shows up most often in the dismissal and denial of what other people are saying when it contradicts our own beliefs, especially our most impassioned and deeply held ones, and of course, especially when our safety feels or is threatened.

So powerful is our need to already be the holder of the truth, we close up, mock, shout down and demonise the people who believe they hold a different version of the truth, and in doing so, don’t recognise ourselves in the unflattering portrait painted by Nietzsche’s words.

In our Academy of the Soul, UNIO, this month, we are being brought to our knees by the truths (and untruths) of the power of the Word - the openness, courage, depth, and shared loved of the fellowship gathered there to quest together each month never ceases to amaze and delight me.

However you’re journeying on the path of your soul, I hope you have companions like these, lately I’ve seen more than ever how we need ‘the others’, as Leary once said.

But in these troubled and uncertain times, as much as we will want to huddle around with people who believe the same things as us, violating agreeing on our truths - repeating them over and over like war cries, maybe more than that we need to journey with those who are devoted to discovering what’s true beyond that, however strange and unwelcome.

And maybe those are truly the ones that Leary spoke of.

So…”Trust your instincts. Do the unexpected. Find the others…”

All my love.

🌹🙏♥️

P.S. you’re also very welcome to join us in UNIO - maybe your others are there.

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