Separate Human Realities

Yes, in the limited 3 dimensional human experience there are “Alternative Truths.” Two, or more, opposite (or very different) “facts” (???) support opposite, or opposing, points of view which can exist without cancelling each other out. But, inflexible, narrow minded “Believers” (in our human life dramas) do attempt to invalidate any and all oppositional viewpoints. This is not new. This has existed forever in human communities. When a community forms a belief system develops and many, or most, people agree to a philosophy, or religion, or a political position, or a foundational lifestyle. This can be in a form of nationalism, a religious belief, a political belief, or a style of living such as “hippies,” yuppies, conservatives, liberals, Midwesterners, Westerners, Europeans, Asians, etc.

Conflicts develop. Wars can happen. Revolutions occur when opposing philosophical, political or religious belief systems discount or demonize opposing beliefs. Majorities do not always prevail. A minority with powerful resources may win out over the majority who may be impotent due to reduced resources such as money, power, or organizational skills.

It is interesting when rational thinking and scientific findings are opposed or “denied” for the sake of a ruling party’s philosophy. Example, during the Middle Ages, the “church” opposed the science that determined that the Earth was round and not the center of the Universe. Sure there can be different results from legitimate research which may be conducted by various scientific techniques. But, as an example, tobacco use can cause cancers and it is not healthy for most people. And, tobacco companies, to protect their business, fought for decades using oppositional research and their money to subvert legislation that would undermine their profits despite the negative health impacts on people and the costs of health care to treat the longterm results of tobacco use. And sure, we humans should have the freedom to make bad decisions out of personal choice… However, taking full responsibility for the damage done to oneself and to the innocent people who live in the smoke polluted environment often is not fully accounted for by addicted smokers.

From a spiritual perspective this “craziness” is perfect. The human lessons from bumping up against opposing life choices are what makes living as a human, is all about. Even when we get killed in a war over petty nationalism or stupid religious beliefs. Spiritually, we were not going to live forever and these are lessons for our loved ones who grieve our death on the battlefields of human life.

Getting emotional when interacting with stupidity from opposing philosophies is a huge, and difficult, human experience. Having fear and anger triggered is SO Human! In the higher realms, acceptance and a more Universal understanding in the long term learning allows for traumatic human experience to be explained and appreciated as the teaching tools they are.

Sure, we are taught that injustice is bad but humans are so slow, or unable, to learn from our mistakes and historical human failures. Being Self-absorbed and self-protective is still the ruling belief where cooperation, acceptance and human understanding would be less destructive… (Consider the lesson of destruction and how selfish interests create major problems like Global Warming, Air pollution, water pollution, and even misinformation which allows millions of people to die from famine and diseases which can be reduced or mitigated.) And, why do humans tell lies or spread mis-information as a tool for selfish personal interests? Why do humans have and follow media, political groups, and religious institutions which are NOT in the world’s best interest? Maybe, that is what the human drama is all about in living in the limited human 3 dimensional lives we lead.

When I was a young man, I knew that for every “truth” the opposite can be thought to be truth as well, if you can alter your perspective.

You may have your own opinion. I do not want to be pessimistic or negative by conveying these thoughts on the complexities of what humans find to be “true.”

Definition of “True”:
1. In accordance with fact or reality or
2. Accurate or exact

(Really opens more questions than this definition solves…)
Definition of “Truth”: the quality or state of being true… (that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality…)

This definition like our limitations in words and human perspective leaves much to be understood and most fully conscious of.

Even if you do not like it, perhaps, especially if you do not like what is going on with the “Truth,” you can find the struggle for acceptance and lack of judgement as an ultimate challenge for spiritually developing humans… I have no patience for the lack of common sense and respect for the “Truth” (as I know it.) So, this is one of MY especially difficult lessons in being a spiritual human being… I still get caught taking sides and feel the passion to want to serve and protect… (And, money and power of the few still seem to win out…)

No matter what “truth” you believe, YOU are perfect and the Divine Spirit Loves YOU!

How “Traditional Values” Can Create Challenges

Attitudes and Values

I have been certified in an assessment process call “Personal Interests, Attitudes and Values.” One of the six main values that people are rated on is called the “Traditional” value. The other values are Theoretical, Social, Utilitarian, Individualistic, and Aesthetic (contact me if you require more information.) There are many ways to interpret these assessments and yet this “value,” Traditional, often creates a real interest for me as I review these reports.

A person with a very high score in the “Traditional” value is often a person driven by a very strong set of principles that often makes it appear that this individual is seeing the world in a “black and white” way. Their learned values, whether these are political or religious, are very rigid with little openness to compromise or to have the flexibility to see an opposing point of view. Very often a person with a high score in this value may have very strong religious connections or beliefs. These might include religious zealots, people with strong nationalism, or possibly strong law & order proponents. If you agree with these people you can have good relationships. If you disagree with their strong values or beliefs, you will have strong arguments or possibly confrontations.

People on the lowest scoring of this value are often people not bound by “convention” to a specific philosophical dogma, religion, or political belief. These people might be seen as very flexible in seeing both sides of an issue and may appear to be very “Wishy-washy.” This ability to understand both sides may be taken as a weakness in character by a strongly opinionated “High Traditional” person. If you want these people to take a strong stand, and make a commitment to some proposal, you may have a disappointing expectation.

Neither a high score or a low score in this value, makes you right or wrong. Knowing yourself, or whether this is a factor in a person that you are in relationship with can make a huge difference in how to approach many situations in your life. Seeing things in a “black or white” way can be a good or bad (difficult) thing. For example, have you ever had a political conversation at a family gathering or a work or in a social situation where you feel an argument breaking out because people have conflicting understandings or strong beliefs? Words may not be as hard as stones but they can hurt people as badly, or even worse. Knowing why some people are inflexible and can not be convinced about certain points of view can help save you the grief of understanding why a polarized issue can not be accepted by both sides in a disagreement. This may also explain why the “hard feelings” about some political elections are not easily patched up.

If you know people who are “high Traditional” in values and are in the military, law enforcement, and people with strong “right of center” political beliefs, you may know that being flexible regarding other people’s opposing attitudes can be a “stretch” for these “high Traditional” people. Historically, many wars have been fought over different religious beliefs where flexibility and acceptance are not the values held by the opposing leaders. In my mind, too many people have died in disagreements over differing values and beliefs in religion, politics, nationalistic attitudes. There is no easy answer but remember hatred and fear regarding the differences in beliefs is taught to our next generation and does not solve problems in a world that is growing smaller as population grows and technology spreads differing beliefs instantaneously around the globe.

It is easier said than done when it comes to accepting different beliefs, but understanding how rigid or how flexible people are can be very important when you need groups to be productive.

Another definition: The highest interest for this value, Traditional, may be called “unity,” “order,” or “tradition.” Individuals with high scores in this value seek a system for living. This system can be found in such things as conservatism or any authority that has defined rules, regulations and principles for living.

Hopefully, this awareness of why people think and behave in “rigid” ways will assist you in accepting that it is easier and safer for some traditional people to hold tight to their black and white understanding even when this runs contrary to getting along better in a broader world.