TRUTH FROM NONSENSE

Written By Duane Nelson

2 IDEAS FROM ME

  • Most of what we or others perceive is illusion or shared illusion. Personal research and experimentation is the key to discovering and validating 1) shared truth, 2) private truth, 3) blind truth, and 4) unknown truth. Shared truth is truth we and others are aware of. Scientific examples of shared truth are advances in quantum mechanics and technology that have changed the world and enabled us to expand our perception of reality beyond our senses. Other examples include the power of mindfulness, wisdom, and compassion. Private truth is truth only we are aware of. Examples are our internal motivations, emotions, thoughts, etc. Blind truth is truth others are aware of but we are blind to it. Examples are impacts on others we are blind to or not aware of. Unknown truth refers to reality which is not currently known by anyone. Examples are the origin of the universe, dark matter, dark energy, origin of life, the hard problem of consciousness, etc.

  • Suffering is the consequence of living an unexamined life based on illusion. Joy is the consequence of living an examined life in harmony with reality.

2 QUOTES FROM SAGES

  1. “I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized.”— Goethe

  2. “At the heart of science is an essential balance between two seemingly contradictory attitudes — an openness to new ideas, no matter how bizarre or counterintuitive they may be, and the most ruthless skeptical scrutiny of all ideas, old and new. This is how deep truths are winnowed from deep nonsense.”— Carl Sagan, “The Demon-Haunted World: Science As a Candle in the Dark” (Ballantine Books, 1997)

1 QUESTION FOR YOU TO EXPLORE

  1. What daily practice enables you to winnow deep truth from deep nonsense?

Namaste,

Duane Nelson

Duane Nelson

Ultrajourney Insight is an Anacortes Washington-based non-profit organization providing mindfulness & well-being services designed to ignite the adventure of a lifetime. The founder, Duane Nelson, is a writer, speaker, and teacher with four decades of parenting, wilderness, & international technology leadership. His professional insights come from chemical engineering and automation leadership at Philips, Intel, and Amazon. His adventure insights flow from ultramarathons, mountaineering, canyoneering, and adventure racing in Nepal, Alaska, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, Mexico, British Columbia and Alberta.

https://ultrajourneyinsight.org
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