What if everyone had to tell the truth? I don’t mean the lightweight, acceptable in so-called polite society, kind of truth. But Rigorous Honesty – the kind of truth that is rooted in authenticity, the kind that you tell, even when you know it may not be what the other person wants to hear, or might even make their heart hurt. But told kindly.
I wonder, would our mind & mouth filter be allowed to keep us from speaking the truth…out loud? Or would we be blurting out the truth as we “know” it all over the place, all day, every day? Would we have a thought and blurt it out without hesitation? I hope not.
Is the truth different for everyone? Whose truth would be the real truth, or the validated truth, or the only valued truth? Whose truth, or which truths, would rise to the top level of the Truth Hierarchy? Would it be determined by morality? By Ethics? By wealth? By gross income…or net?
Or would the ultimate truth be the kind that is formulated, considered, and delivered from the heart with Rigorous Empathy? That would be my hope.
Thanks for reading.
Yes, Jacque. Rigorous Empathy. Wouldn't it be interesting, and revealing, to do some word art around those two words? 💛
I love this, Jacque! As with most difficult practices, I believe truth-telling begins within. I love the concept of rigorous honesty. It takes discernment--and as you say, empathy--to practice this kind of honesty. I am learning that the more honest I am with myself, the easier it is to tell the truth to others. I wonder if two truths are seemingly contradictory, can they both exist at the same time? Historically (and in real-time!) we have witnessed how the quest for power and dominion omits, warps, and even obliterates the truth. The questions you raise in "What if?" are shedding more light on my on-going journey toward truth-telling. Thank you!