Focus on the Good

2000-7-14 12:00:00

The Principle:

(17) Put your attention on finding that which is true rather than that which is in error.

Many people seek to prove a thing true by looking for errors and flaws. The idea is that if they find no error then only the truth is left. Why is this approach not reliable? Why is it easier to find truth by looking for truth?

Perhaps we could ask it this way. Is it better to look for red flags or the light that reveals?

Keith writes:
"You get what you look for ? if you concentrate on errors you get exactly that. It's like the weatherman telling you that it's a 30% chance of rain ? why doesn't he tell you it's a 70% chance of sunshine? Your mind can only concentrate on one thing at a time ? if it looks for error it will find error and maybe miss the truth."

JJ
Great answer. By the way- are you a new Keith or Raptor Keith?

Yes, we draw to ourselves that on which we place our attention. Jennifer worded this well:

"If one puts one's attention on learning how to recognize truth, i.e. its hallmarks, then truth will stand out from amongst that which is not true, much more readily."

Xavier makes several good points one of which is:

"I think (expanding the topic) that one has to follow what seems good: why would I follow a guy that I think is deluded? Except to overcome a major blind spot of mine."

So what should we do when we meet one who is obviously deluded? Shall we still look for truth in his illusions? And in placing our attention on that which is true, are we more likely to be deceived than one who looks for red flags?

To this, I ask another question:

By expecting a meal to be taste delicious are you likely to be deceived by a rotten egg that you happen to taste? Of course not. Your attention on what is good does not take away your discernment in sorting out the bad.

On the other hand, if your attention and expectation is on the idea that the meal may taste bad, or perhaps you are suspicious that someone has cooked you rotten meat will this interfere with the pleasure of your dinner?

Yes, it certainly will. We have all met picky eaters that can't seem to let themselves enjoy a fine meal because of some fear that it has not been prepared or seasoned properly.

Researchers did an experiment with color and food. They cooked some delicious steaks and fed then to group one and they all enjoyed them immensely. But then for group II they cooked the same meal but had them eat under a green light - thus the whole meal had a greenish tint to it.

Even though group two had the same meal the greenish tint caused them to focus on the fact that something may be wrong with it and few were able to enjoy it and some got sick.

Truth is like the steak. Do not focus on the greenish light (or what may be wrong) but on what may be right with it. Only by doing this can one enjoy all the truth and flavor that is in the steak.

Jennifer mentioned the process of elimination which is actually one of the Principles of Discovery.

Question:
Can one put his prime attention on that which is true and yet still use the process of elimination as an aid in discovery?

Glenys, who wrote a post worth rereading, gives a hint:

"So there is no need to waste energy looking for error - any error becomes manifest naturally through the process of looking for truth."

How does the lack of understanding of this principle of looking for truth instead of error cause mainstream religious people to not see any truth in the world of metaphysics?