
Being able to distinguish truth from distortion is a key ability that can develop in our teen years when the prefrontal cortex (forebrain) comes online. However, we may lean more on peers or those we admire for “truth.”
Even if we develop this skill, stress or trauma can still take our discriminating ability off line. Sustained stress causes us to stay in our lower brain. Then we’re less conscious and more reactive, driven by our unresolved experiences, our old anger, shame, and fear.
Then, instead of seeking truth, we seek validation of how we think and feel. It can feel “true” or “right” to our experience, even if the narrative is false. Ego then identifies with these stories and they become part of the identity and defended.
We make bad decisions, fracture communities, and increase chaos. This is widespread these days.
If instead we pause, centre, and find calm, the higher brain can come back online and we have the potential to make sensible choices rather than reactive ones.
Even deeper, as we awaken, the intellect (and intuition) shifts from being tied to the mind, to associating with the Self. As the Self is stable and founded in truth, the intellect becomes resolute. Fine impressions become reliable and deeper truth can reveal itself.
The quality of our choices depends on the quality of our intellect. This determines if we live in a truth of our own making, fighting the tides of nature, or if we live in harmony with life where the truth of our being flowers.
Davidya