The first step toward finding God, Who is Truth, is to discover
The first step toward finding God, Who is Truth, is to discover the truth about myself: and if I have been in error, this first step to truth is the discovery of my error.
In the quest for truth, the most sacred journey one can embark upon is the journey inward. For as Thomas Merton so profoundly expressed, "The first step toward finding God, Who is Truth, is to discover the truth about myself." In the heart of this wisdom lies a path both ancient and timeless, a path that leads to the discovery of truth not in the world alone, but within the very depths of our own soul. To know God, to know the ultimate truth, one must first confront the self—the shadow and light within each of us. Only by understanding who we are, by embracing our faults and imperfections, can we approach the sacred light of truth.
This path is not one of ease, for it requires great courage. The act of turning inward, to look upon the self in all its complexity, is not for the faint of heart. We are often taught to seek truth in the world, to look for answers in the heavens or in the wisdom of the ages. Yet Merton reminds us that the truth we seek lies first within, in the recognition of our own limitations, our errors, and our imperfections. It is only when we gaze honestly at our own reflections—when we admit that we have strayed from the path of truth—that we begin to move toward the divine. This is the first step of all true spiritual awakening: to acknowledge that our errors have shaped us, but do not define us, and to seek the light of truth within ourselves.
Look, if you will, to the story of Augustine of Hippo, one of the greatest minds of the ancient world. In his early life, Augustine sought truth in all manner of worldly pleasures, from ambition to sensuality, from philosophy to rhetoric. But it was only when he confronted his own errors—his pursuit of falsehoods, his pride, his fear—that he found the truth he so desperately sought. In the quiet moment of self-reflection, he cried out, "Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet." This paradoxical plea, born from the truth of his inner conflict, was the first step toward his transformation, toward his embrace of God and the ultimate truth. Augustine's life was a testament to the wisdom that Merton speaks of: to find the divine, one must first find the truth of their own soul.
This truth is not confined to the ancient world alone. In the quiet monasteries of Europe, men and women have long sought the truth of themselves through prayer, reflection, and contemplation. Thomas Merton, himself a monk, understood this deeply. His life was a continuous dialogue with God, seeking not just external knowledge, but an inner awakening to the profound truths that lie hidden beneath the surface of our everyday lives. The truth that Merton sought was not a distant, unreachable concept, but something that could only be found through deep introspection and the humbling acknowledgment of his own mistakes. It was in his own errors—his struggles with pride, with doubt, with desire—that he discovered the path to spiritual enlightenment.
And so, we, too, must ask ourselves: What are the truths we have hidden from ourselves? In our own lives, we must confront the errors we have made—not to cast judgment upon ourselves, but to recognize them as the very key to our growth. How often do we seek to escape the discomfort of self-awareness, the recognition that we are not perfect, that we have fallen short of the ideals we hold dear? To look inward, to honestly examine the depths of our soul, is to begin the journey toward a more profound understanding of truth and, ultimately, toward the divine. Merton’s words are a clarion call: Do not seek truth in abstract concepts or distant philosophies alone. Seek it in the depths of your own being.
The lesson here is one of profound humility. To seek truth in the world, we must first seek it in ourselves. God, who is truth, does not reside in the heavens alone, but in the very heart of our being. The first step toward enlightenment is not the pursuit of knowledge, but the recognition of the knowledge we have yet to uncover about ourselves. To begin the path to truth, we must acknowledge our errors and open ourselves to the transformative power that lies in this self-awareness. Just as a tree cannot grow unless its roots are deep in the earth, so too must we grow by rooting ourselves in the truth of our own nature.
In your own life, therefore, let the lesson of Merton guide you: take the first step toward truth by confronting your own errors. Do not be afraid of your imperfections, for they are the very soil in which the seeds of wisdom grow. By acknowledging them, you take the first step toward knowing the ultimate truth of who you are and who you are meant to be. The journey inward is the noblest of all, and through it, you will find the truth that has always resided within. Take time, reflect deeply, and allow the truth about yourself to guide you toward the divine.
TDTien Thanh Do
I love the depth in Merton’s words because it emphasizes the necessity of self-awareness in our spiritual journey. The first step to finding God, or even truth in general, requires us to be honest with ourselves, which includes recognizing our faults. It’s a powerful message, but I also wonder—how do we discern between genuine self-awareness and self-deception? What does it take to truly see ourselves as we are, with clarity and without judgment?
MAMinh Anh
This quote by Thomas Merton speaks to the importance of humility and introspection on the spiritual path. To find truth, we must first admit that we have erred, and that is often a difficult process. It’s not just about finding truth in a divine sense, but in how we view ourselves and our actions. But how do we learn to identify our errors without becoming overly critical of ourselves? Is there a way to balance self-compassion with the need for honesty?
SHtien sy hai
Merton’s perspective here makes me think about how personal growth is tied to the acceptance of our mistakes. If we are to understand truth, we first have to acknowledge where we’ve gone wrong. This isn’t just about religious or spiritual truth, but also about the truth of who we are as individuals. I wonder, though, how do we know when we’ve truly recognized our errors and are ready to move forward in finding truth?
HQHuu Quang
I find this quote to be an invitation to look inward. The idea that recognizing our own errors is the first step toward truth is profound. It challenges me to reflect on how often I avoid looking at my own flaws or mistakes. It's much easier to point out the errors in others than to confront our own. But if truth is the ultimate goal, isn't it essential to face our own errors first?
HHHoa Huy
Thomas Merton’s quote resonates with the idea that self-awareness is the key to spiritual growth. To find truth, we must first confront the truth about ourselves, which often means acknowledging our own mistakes. It’s humbling to think that before we can search for a higher truth, we must first be willing to face the errors within ourselves. But how often do we avoid self-reflection because it’s uncomfortable? What prevents us from taking that first step?