Recently, a Facebook friend posted one of my favorite Kahlil Gibran quotes. It comes from the mystical book “The Prophet”, and is an excerpt from the poem entitled “Self Knowledge”.

Say not, “I have found the truth,” but rather, “I have found a truth.” 

And, as often happens when I read anything from Gibran, my attention was taken, again, by this quote as I pondered it’s deep meaning. Recently, one of my Guides reminded me that all streams flow, directly or eventually, back to the ocean; and all paths lead, directly or eventually, back to Source.

“Many a doctrine is like a window pane. We see truth through it but it divides us from truth.”

There are so many ways to experience truths. We live in an abundant Universe. I often think about of all the fascinating beliefs & teachings that I have experienced that are in direct conflict with my own beliefs & teachings. Finding a path that speaks deeply to the heart, and immersing the self in that path by learning the practices and doctrines of that path is a way back to Source.

“I am ignorant of absolute truth. But I am humble before my ignorance and therein lies my honor and my reward.”

But there is also danger in becoming too attached to my truths. Think, if you will, of the parable of the blind men who are asked to describe the nature of an elephant by each exploring just a small part of the elephant whole. Think also of all the chaos and conflict through humankind’s history caused by strong attachment to belief in The Truth. When I become certain that I know The Truth, I have closed myself to exploring any of the uncountable truths in the Universe; I have opened myself to certain conflict with others.

“You are blind and I am deaf and dumb, so let us touch hands and understand.”

If all paths truly lead back to Source (directly or eventually), then each of you is a fellow traveler, walking your own Journey to Mecca. Your experiences, beliefs, degrees, trainings, opinions and religions are a piece of the Universal whole.

“Some of us are like ink and some like paper. And if it were not for the blackness of some of us, some of us would be dumb; and if it were not for the whiteness of some of us, some of us would be blind.”

As we meet on our Journey, I pray that I have the wisdom to listen to and accept your truths. And I hope you do the same for me. And that we will be gentle with each other, accepting the gifts of the shared human experience. And together we will discover the truths of the Universe.

“It takes two of us to discover truth: one to utter it and one to understand it.”

All the delicious quotes & artwork are by Kahlil Gibran.