Basic principles will always be the same, but the implications will shift with the context.
For those of you just catching up, you can review the Three Pillars in detail here. For those familiar with the concepts, I’ll be offering a brief contextual reminder. I was asked some questions today and it sparked a bit of thought. For those living in a Western society in general, and here in the US in particular, there are some interesting implications of the Three Pillars in how you face your daily existence.
Because we do not trust anyone, we do not divulge anything more of ourselves than the context demands. You should enter every situation bearing with you an element of mystery. You should be aware there are some things you couldn’t divulge if you wanted, but you should be hesitant to volunteer even when you can vocalize it. Of course, in a civilized world we always avoid burdening others with more than they need from us, and that basic rule reflects the other face of our natural distrust. You can’t avoid making yourself a target for any particular abuse in this world, but you need not make it particularly easy. That’s not self preservation so much as the natural result of keeping the focus where it belongs, on the truth and away from yourself.
There is nothing wrong with folks having a false impression of you. Our commitment to truth is not about us, but about the truth. Correct the impression if it’s necessary in revealing the truth, but otherwise it’s really not your problem. Preventing wasted effort or waste of resources can be a good reason to explain something not obvious about yourself. For example, I’m a vegetarian for the most part, so when some activity involves food, I’ll decide whether my preference matters for the sake of time and efficiency of materials. For a one-time deal in a mass feeding operation, my peculiarities don’t matter. As a guest in someone’s home, they need to know as soon as possible to avoid embarrassment. Truth has a function; it is not an absolute value.
The mission always comes first. If you have no idea what your mission is, that’s the first thing to figure out. Everything else in your life can wait. Your convictions will set limits on what the mission can or can’t be, what it can and can’t include. Your mission may well be something which never changes, but most often it will drift with the context. Divulge as much of yourself as necessary for the mission. You’ll always be learning how to estimate that. The mission is simply a term to describe what you really must do in your personal commitment to the truth. It includes discerning honestly your talents, weaknesses and willingness to take risks. What drives you?
Every moment of every day you are evaluating how you can make your mission. All human interaction must serve that. How you open up or don’t will be a matter of your personal character in pursuit of that mission. You are the means to revealing some element of truth, so be as true to your mission as you know how, because otherwise you don’t matter at all, and neither does any one else. Be aware of the feelings others will surely have, as you will have your own, but feelings are not there to rule, nor even to vote. Truth rules, and your mission is the obligation you have to truth.
Even for those closest to you, the one best thing you can ever do for them is meet the mission. For most of us, people are the mission, in one way or another. We are always ready to sacrifice for others, even in futile gestures, if what we do meets the mission. It doesn’t have to make sense to anyone but you. Truth at its deepest is seldom logical by any human standard.
Be prepared for folks to think you a fool, and prepare yourself for the misery of those you love most failing to understand. You love them enough to take the hit, and wait for the time when truth vindicates you. It will; it always does, though not necessarily while you live. The treasure of truth means you can afford some personal loss, so make the mission first in all things. Realize not every part of any given situation is in your power, but work with what does rest in your hands. Don’t let your tenderness for someone be an excuse to compromise the mission.
There are some who will make themselves the enemy of your mission, enemies of truth. Some of those people might live in the same house with you. Changing people is never the mission. All you can do is point out the path to change; it would never be truth if you could force someone to accept it. When necessary, you may be forced to take advantage of your enemy’s weaknesses. Not in the sense of abusing them, but understanding their foolishness so well, you manipulate them just enough to protect your mission. Speak whatever language they’ll hear, but don’t be deterred from the truth and your mission. It’s on your conscience to decide what that manipulation can include, and what shape it might take in a given context. Never do it when some other option is available to you. Never apologize for the mission, but always be prepared to heal any wounds, whether it’s your fault or not.
In the end, each moment of each day offers you an opportunity to pursue the mission. Success is not in what you accomplish, but in your commitment.
