Since the title and theme of the blog has to do with seeking the truth, I thought I should start with a post on the topic. The search for truth has been a driving force in my spiritual growth, and I consider it to be a vital part of our human existence. This is a quote from Bahá’í Writings that explains just how much we should be thirsting for the truth:

The state in which one should be to seriously search for the truth is the condition of the thirsty, burning soul desiring the water of life, of the fish struggling to reach the sea, of the sufferer seeking for the true doctor to obtain the divine cure, of the lost caravan endeavoring to find the right road, of the lost and wandering ship striving to reach the shore of salvation.

- Abdu’l-Baha

This may sound a little extreme, but I look at it as an ideal to strive towards. There have been times in my life that I have been passionately in search of the truth, but I must admit that I’m nowhere near the state described in the above quote. It’s difficult not to become complacent or to lose focus when everyday life has many demands and distractions. But even in this spiritually complacent, materialistic environment in which we live, it is possible to find a burning passion for the truth. Living with that kind of driving force in your soul makes life so much more vivid and meaningful.

Truth has Many Facets - But Don’t Get Lost in Definitions

There are many different facets to seeking the truth, and not everyone has the same idea of what truth is. I could get analytical about different types of truth, but I think that the process of seeking the truth is more important than the conclusions I come up with. Whatever understanding I may have, and whatever concepts I may form in my mind, are all based on my own limited perception.

I can try to define truth with words, but words are very limited. For example, if I had lived in a small cell all of my life and never seen the outside world, you could explain to me what it’s like to sit on top of a mountain and watch the sun rise over a distant horizon. You could convey all of the senses you felt, and all of the emotions you experienced. Even if you gave the most beautiful, fluent explanation, I would not fully understand what it’s like to sit on top of the moutain. I would have no experience to compare it to, and would probably come up with perceptions that were very different from what the actual experience would be.

Therefore, words, while having the potential to be very powerful, still have limitations. I believe that the search for truth must transcend words. Deeper truths must be realized in the realm of personal experience. This happens through a process of self purification, prayer, meditation, virtuous conduct and service to others. It also involves study of spiritual texts, but it cannot be merely an intellectual pursuit. Spiritual texts should work as a field guide - a field guide is not helpful until you get down in the dirt and do the work.

Some Traits of the Seeker of Truth

There are many passages from Bahá’í Writings describing the process one must go through when seeking the truth. Here is part of one of my favorite passages on the subject:

O My brother! When a true seeker determineth to take the step of search in the path leading unto the knowledge of the Ancient of Days, he must, before all else, cleanse his heart, which is the seat of the revelation of the inner mysteries of God, from the obscuring dust of all acquired knowledge, and the allusions of the embodiments of satanic fancy. He must purge his breast, which is the sanctuary of the abiding love of the Beloved, of every defilement, and sanctify his soul from all that pertaineth to water and clay, from all shadowy and ephemeral attachments. …

That seeker must, at all times, put his trust in God, must renounce the peoples of the earth, must detach himself from the world of dust, and cleave unto Him Who is the Lord of Lords. He must never seek to exalt himself above any one, must wash away from the tablet of his heart every trace of pride and vain-glory, must cling unto patience and resignation, observe silence and refrain from idle talk. …

Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker’s heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his being.

- Bahá’u'lláh

If you would like the see the whole passage, I have put it here. There is a lot that can be reflected on from this quote, and this topic will warrant more posts in the future. For now, I would like to see if any of you out there have any thoughts.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my blog. This is an idea I’ve had in my head for a while. My hope is that it will:

1. Help me better organize my own thoughts and solidify my spiritual practice
2. Create a conversation on these topics that are so important to me

The title, Everyday Seeker, occurred to me a while back.  It has two different meanings:

1. Seeking the truth in everday life - while at work, doing the dishes, or in any of the ordinary aspects of life.
2. Seeking the truth every day - the search for truth requires consistent effort and is not a one-time thing.

Really, these two perspectives are pretty much the same thing.  The main focus I would like to have in this blog is how to apply spiritual teachings and the search for truth to every part of life, even the most mundane. There is a Buddhist concept that I like, that of inviting everything into your spiritual practice.  For example, if someone cuts you off on the freeway, it’s a great time to practice mindfulness, being aware of your reaction as you tense up and want to yell at the other driver.

The irony about all of this is that I’m about to leave for a 10 month service trip to India with my wife, so that will not feel so ordinary. But I imagine that after some time, even there we will work into a regular routine. I have spent time abroad in Ecuador, Mexico and Costa Rica, and in each of those places the original mystique eventually mellowed out and I had my everyday life in those places.

As I see it, wherever I go and whatever I do, I will still be the same person with many of the same challenges along the spiritual path. I hope that something I write in this blog will be meaningful to you, and that you will share your thoughts and experiences as well. May God guide all of us to greater peace, fulfillment and understanding.