Truth

Discussions of what constitutes Truth always lead to a confused muddle about subjectivism and objectivism. However, a Global Post article about an Israeli reality-TV show shed some light on the power of telling it like it is. Telling it like it is, from an honest personal perspective, cuts through quibbling arguments over Absolute Truth.

In mental-health circles, we used to call this an observation and statement of Process. Stating process is simply laying out what is happening without delving into motivation or cause. Looking at and understanding the process of a group, as the Tavistockian Model advocates, can reveal the group's Truth, in a sense.

In dysfunctional families, one child or relation is usually the observer and commentator on that family's process. This person is often the Truth-teller in therapy. He/she reveals the secrets and lies behind the process by simply revealing the process and opening up the Pandora's box of motivations and history.

As a humanist, being the observer and commentator on process comes rather naturally with a practice of mindfulness and compassion. Awareness is the door to humanist perspective. Understanding is the humanist motivation. Open-minded observation is the humanist method to understand before acting. Absolute Truth is irrelevant to a humanist. Absolute Truth is a tool of religious control. The humanist is satisfied with the truth of process in each reality he/she encounters. Promoting understanding, peace and joy within that truth is the job of the humanist practice.