Searching for answers, yet finding confusion instead of clarity?
I’ve been pondering this for a while now and the other day I had an insight that I want to share with you in this article.
What sets apart sages, gurus, prophets, wise men, and everyday people like us is the way we look for answers. While the former often retreat to secluded places for weeks or even years to reflect, ask questions, and observe the world around them in search of truths, we usually turn to the internet or other people when we have questions.
But relying on stories we find online or from others may not always lead us to true clarity. It may actually lead to confusion. Then when we try to answer questions on our own, we most often overthink and create more stories in our heads, which can take us further away from the “truth” we’re seeking.
Another insight I got related to this was the following:
There are doctor, scientists, artists, and other professionals who either follow a school of thought (stories) and then there are those who experiment and observe to find the truths buried within our nature. For example, some doctors might prescribe a drug based on what they learned in school just by listening to your symptoms, while others might ask questions to understand the root cause of a patient’s illness and treat it more effectively.
I believe this wisdom is also within us. We can all tap into this wisdom by asking questions, observing, and listening without letting our past experiences or imagined futures interfere. This way, we can gain clarity and make confident decisions based on what resonates with us. In contrast, relying on others’ stories can lead to confusion and decision fatigue.
Obviously, we can learn from others, and learning from the past and other people’s experiences can be super valuable. But how can we distinguish between the lessons learned from others and the truth that resonates within us? I believe by combining what we learn from others with introspection and observation, we can arrive at a deeper understanding of the truth and make decisions that align with our personal values and beliefs. By combining external knowledge with internal reflection, we may cultivate a clearer understanding of what it is we’re looking for and make decisions that are truly our own.
So how would you balance learning from others and tapping into your own inner wisdom to make decisions? What strategies would you use to get clearer answers and avoid confusion?
