Source Text
Before We Start Origins
Allow me to go back to the beginning. To my own beginning, that is. To where it all started in my own life.
Imagine then, if you will, an individual in your life who provides for all your perceived needs, and guides you to accomplish and experience all your desires and true wants. An individual in whom you have had complete, absolute and unbroken trust.
Who that person is doesn’t matter. It is this unique kind of trust this person engenders in you, and the unparalleled emotional reality this trust secures and cradles you in that I would like you to consider here.
One concept is very much central to the answer: Consistency. All that this individual says will be consistent with what they do, in all circumstances, and not only with regard to you, but with regard to anyone. This individual’s resolute character and behavior will be demonstrated persistently, and time after time, it will naturally and seamlessly resist any challenge to undermine its own integrity. And never, ever, will this individual contradict themselves with their trusted counsel and guidance.
It feels as if you are nourished from an unending nurture; as if your life is infused with unshakable foundations; as if nothing unsolvable can stand in your way; as if at no time can you go astray; as if you are engrossed with utter surety. Many conclude that individuals possessing this kind of trustworthiness are few and far between us. Some believe that such individuals do not even exist, and in their stead look to religion in offering the holy grail of utter surety.
Moreover, the ‘how’ answers provided by science are no more than temporary theories, which are proven incorrect or are replaced by future theories. Even if a theory is proven correct, it yields more questions, which take more time to answer. This cycle is hardly trust engendering, especially since it seems very evident, to anyone who would simply be curious enough to notice, that while science plays its game of theories, something, or someone, or some element has created the universe, and is maintaining it in pretty perfect working order.
I knew that every unanswered question I allowed for would be yet another existential loophole through which any of these unwanted personal experiences could sneak into my personal reality, or through which undesired and challenging global events would put down their full weight on my feelings and sense of safety and security.
we may still perceive ourselves to be ignorant of knowledge that is at the very heart of our existence; of a truth that when acquired, would help us experience more of what we appreciate in life and less of what we do not - which is a reasonable definition of fulfillment as any other. Our questions of this Absolute Truth are always present. They may pop out for fresh air on a daily basis, or they may be tucked deep within and carried unnoticed or unexamined for years before we allow ourselves to consider and express them.
I wanted explanations to the existence of the most horrific atrocities to the most empowering benevolences in human history, as well as to their coexistence. I wanted clear clarifications not only to my personal reality, but to the world around me as well, for I live in it, and cannot separate the reality surrounding me from my own. I searched for a holistic, overarching truth which would unite with purpose both the micro and the macro universe, both personal and mass realities, and offer all of these explanations with clarity,
AI Summary
Absolute Truth by Joab Russo presents key insights from the contemplative tradition. The 10 passages above capture the essential teachings.
Core Themes:
- [To be expanded]
Key Passages: Highlights 1, 3, and 10 are particularly representative.
This entry was generated from Readwise highlights. Expand with additional context as appropriate.