I don't remember a word of what the sermon this morning was! Not because the priest was not speaking sense, but because my mind was battling some overflow of my meditation.
What would be the basic difference between belief and truth? Now that's what I intend to research for my further studies. But it occurred to me this morning that belief is a matter of the heart. Truth a matter of the mind. Not that they are compartmentalised but still predominantly, it is the heart that kicks in when it comes to matters of belief and faith. I believe in something not because it makes complete sense or because it is true. I honestly don't have logical explanations and rational proofs for most of what I believe in. I feel. I believe.
Now what is true (if it means abiding by the correspondence theory - that itself needs to be justified... or else how does one explain the concept of truth), need not always be the foundation of my belief or what makes meaning. And most often it is the mind that is most concerned with the truth (or falsity) of a reality. Now if I know something is the truth, then I cannot contest it. Does that also mean, I'm bound to believe in it? If not, what is the worth of calling something truthful? In other words, can I have reasons for belief and heart for the truth?
But this whole idea of dividing the heart and mind is again Cartesian! Can there be any other way of relating the two, without one merging into the other, each retaining its identity yet making sense to both. I sense meaning has much to do with all of this. Yet am unable to lay my finger on it.
On the other hand, why should I be worried if there is a conflict between the two? Isn't that a good thing? Perhaps it is the conflict between belief and truth, between the heart and the mind that keeps me alive and going. If not for this I'd be doing nothing, thinking nothing, striving for nothing. But again fear this state as well: because it is a luxury only religious like me can afford. Who else would have the time and space for sitting and thinking?! Most of humanity is up and about working for their livelihood and some for basic survival.
What would be the basic difference between belief and truth? Now that's what I intend to research for my further studies. But it occurred to me this morning that belief is a matter of the heart. Truth a matter of the mind. Not that they are compartmentalised but still predominantly, it is the heart that kicks in when it comes to matters of belief and faith. I believe in something not because it makes complete sense or because it is true. I honestly don't have logical explanations and rational proofs for most of what I believe in. I feel. I believe.
Now what is true (if it means abiding by the correspondence theory - that itself needs to be justified... or else how does one explain the concept of truth), need not always be the foundation of my belief or what makes meaning. And most often it is the mind that is most concerned with the truth (or falsity) of a reality. Now if I know something is the truth, then I cannot contest it. Does that also mean, I'm bound to believe in it? If not, what is the worth of calling something truthful? In other words, can I have reasons for belief and heart for the truth?
But this whole idea of dividing the heart and mind is again Cartesian! Can there be any other way of relating the two, without one merging into the other, each retaining its identity yet making sense to both. I sense meaning has much to do with all of this. Yet am unable to lay my finger on it.
On the other hand, why should I be worried if there is a conflict between the two? Isn't that a good thing? Perhaps it is the conflict between belief and truth, between the heart and the mind that keeps me alive and going. If not for this I'd be doing nothing, thinking nothing, striving for nothing. But again fear this state as well: because it is a luxury only religious like me can afford. Who else would have the time and space for sitting and thinking?! Most of humanity is up and about working for their livelihood and some for basic survival.
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