How can we really see?

What if we could look at the world and really see it? I mean seeing it through the eyes of imagining. I hope that in reading these posts, the eyes of your mind will open and let you see more, feel more, and think more about the world.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Gems of Truth

I envision our search for knowledge and truth like this:

You are casting about in the dark, using a torch to seek out precious shining gems of truth. Upon finding them you gleefully run back to your little room where the walls are covered with gemstones, already gleaming on every side. You lift up the torch, feverishly searching the walls, pondering a place to store your newest treasure. Finally you see just the right spot, high up on the wall, and stick the stone into the slot. The gem fits perfectly, and shimmers prettily in its new home.

You sit back for a second, peacefully admiring all of those lovely gems you have gathered. But there are many empty spaces remaining, waiting to be filled. You turn back, determined to find the rest, and begin your hunt anew. Finally one day, the last gem is discovered; the last slot is filled. You sit and admire your handiwork, taking comfort in the knowledge that you have learned everything there is to know; filled up every space. Then you see a light approaching, brighter than your own, and another person enters your sanctuary.

They carry with them another rock, unlike any you have ever seen before. They offer it to you, smiling, and you stare at it in shock. There is no space left to put it into your walls. They are completely filled, and now you have a gem whose value is obvious, but you have nowhere to keep it. Baffled, you turn to your new mentor unsure of what to do. They smile, lifting their light higher and pointing upwards. Above the highest point on your wall, you spy even more empty slots that you had never seen before. The new stone fits easily, and there are many more places to be filled.

You glance back at your mentor in despair, but they just pat you on the shoulder and touch their torch to your own. Yours flares brighter, and then your mentor departs. You are left alone with all of your gems, and a lot of work left to be done. Setting your face into a determined but pleasant smile, you head off into the world to find more gems of truth to store up for yourself until the second coming.