Home
>
Spirituality
>
Getting Back to the Basics of Truth

Getting Back to the Basics of Truth

Anyone who has invested time, energy and effort into finding their own truth knows that ignorance is NOT bliss. Understanding the religious environment that we grew up in should be the natural first step towards defining our own belief system. All too often, we grow up getting bits and pieces of religion, but never take the time to look at the bigger picture.

It's the bigger picture that enables us, as thinking, feeling human beings, to evaluate both the truth and the doctrine of established religion, and decide for ourselves what "fits" us in this lifetime and what doesn't, keeping in mind that 'the doctrine' of any given religion may not feel right to us, but the basic truth upon which the religion was built seems very familiar and very 'right.'

Most religions have been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Common sense tells us that lots of people have made lots of changes in the teachings of any particular religion, for lots of reasons. Our job, as spiritual seekers, is to get back to the basics - the basic teachings of the 'master teacher' upon whom the religion was founded.

Our 'problem' with established religion is often that we can't find a religion that fits our modern-day lifestyle. We protest against some of the religious doctrine and practices, believing that they just aren't appropriate for living life in today's world. Without looking any further, we say, "That's not right for me," and move on in the hopes of finding a different religion that we can be more comfortable with.

In studying the history of the churches, we come to a clearer understanding of why they did things the way they did, when they did them, and - hopefully - the importance of separating truth from doctrine in our quest for spiritual truth becomes more and more obvious. It doesn't matter which religion we're looking at; in every case, there are the teachings of the Master Teacher, and the doctrine (which was established by followers, not by the Master himself) that guides us in learning how to express the Master's truth in our day-to-day lives.

That is NOT a bad thing; then and now, learning to express our spiritual truth on a day-by-day basis is what 'finding and following our own path in life' is all about. We turn to present-day spiritual teachers to guide us in expressing our spirituality, all the while resenting the spiritual teachers of yore who did the same for their life students. I have no doubt that generations from now, free-thinkers will criticize the teachers (and teachings) of our time as "old-fashioned' and 'inappropriate to their lifestyle.' That's the way it has always been, and that's the way it will always be: established religion gives each soul something to think about - a starting point in deciding what their personal truth will (or will not) be in that lifetime.

We run into problems when we want to express our beliefs differently than any particular sect of any particular religion tells us to. If we stop thinking of 'established religion' as a firm set of rules and regulations that we are expected to follow if we want to be a 'spiritual person,' and look at it instead as a historical recap of the ways generations of people have chosen to express the spiritual teachings of a specific Master Teacher, we can free ourselves of the emotional rebellion we sometimes experience at being told what we should think and what we should feel. Once we stop feeing defensive, we can begin to explore the 'truth' as the Master Teacher taught it, without getting lost in the doctrine established by those who came after him.

Once we separate the truth from the doctrine, we begin to realize that there really isn't much difference in 'truth' at all; the common thread that runs through every major religion in the world is what we, today, call "Universal Law." Every great spiritual Master (including the ones upon whose teachings the various religions were founded) taught the same basic principles. Our goal in spiritual seeking should be two-fold: to get back to the basic teachings, and then to decide whether those teachings, as presented by any religion, ring true for us, as individuals, in this lifetime. Too often, we lose our focus and put our emphasis on doctrine (which comes and goes with each change in the socio-economic environment) instead of on the basic truth which the doctrine is striving to express.

Lois Grant-Holland is a Life Path Focus Counselor offering Life Path Focus Sessions, Karmic Astrology Charts, Channeled Guidance, Intuitive Readings and Classes and Workshops to spiritual seekers on all positive paths, and is the site facilitator at The A.N.S.W.E.R. - (The Seeker's Resource Guide to Alternative, New Thought, Spiritual Growth, Wellness and Enlightenment Resources.) You can visit her website at http://www.loisgrantholland.com

green cleaning service Glencoe ..

In The News:

Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.

Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.

NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

Holiday scams spike during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as criminals exploit your leaked personal data. Learn how to protect yourself from fake stores and phishing.

Commerce Department proposes TP-Link router ban over Chinese security risks. Learn how this potential prohibition could affect your home network and devices.

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.

Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.

The AltoVolo Sigma hybrid-electric aircraft flies 500 miles at 220 mph while operating 80% quieter than helicopters, featuring safety systems and compact design.

Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.

Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.

Getting Back to the Basics of Truth

Spirituality