Blind to the simple truth

“The focus of religion tends to lead to a hardening of the categories, which is affectionately referred to as “doctrine.” But the road to peace and freedom is not one of solidifying and concretizing our notions about God, but loosening our grip on them. One of our biggest obstacles are all the things we think we already know. Spiritual growth isn’t so much about taking on new ideas as much as it is letting go of the old ones, and you have to let go with both hands.

Imagine someone hanging on with their hands on the edge of a cliff. The cliff represents all the ideas and notions you have about yourself, God, life and what’s real. Can you envision those two hands – those ten fingers clutching the edge of the cliff for dear life? Stop clutching! Yes, I know it’s difficult to let go all at once. So, start letting go one finger at a time. Aim not to reify your notions of truth, and instead make it a practice to only hold them loosely.

Jesus chastised the religious leaders for idolizing their theories and concepts about God, which only served to blind them to the simple truth that was right before them.”

- Jim Palmer, Notes from (Over) the Edge