Lack of understanding of the differences and relationship between the two truths - Absolute and Relative - is a core source of confusion.
In the Alchemical Paradigm there is only one Absolute Truth and, because it is nondual, it can’t be grasped by dualistic mind nor expressed in language since language in inherently dualistic. It can be given designations, and indications but the designations and indications are themselves relative truths and will always be either paradoxical and/or partial. These designations can be elaborated upon but these elaborations will also be necessarily partial and/or paradoxical as well. The designations of, indications about and elaborations upon Absolute Truth are, themselves, all relative truths. Some of terms that have been used to designate or indicate Absolute Truth are: Absolute Reality, the True Nature of Reality, the True Nature of Mind, Reality Itself, Primordial Awareness, Great Mystery, Great Emptiness (Skt. Shunyata) Buddha Mind, Buddha Nature, God. Goddess, Great Mother, Tao, Rigpa, Brahma, Shiva, Allah, Universal Power, Infinite Mind, Infinite Being, Great Spirit. Dharmakaya, Dharmata, Dharmadhatu, and the unknowable.
Relative truth is functional truth. Functionality or effectiveness is the measure of relative truth. Functionality or effectiveness can only be measured in relation to a limited domain and in relation to (relative to) some given reference point. Anther way to understand this is that relative truths can only be verified within specified contexts or domains. Because every relative truth requires a specific context to function, there will always be context in which they do not function. Some relative truths are functional within such a pervasive context they can be considered universal. However they can only honestly be said to be universal within the limits of the perceptional and conceptual capacity of those that label them as universal for the limits of perceptual and conceptual capacity are the boundaries of context. That is to say you can’t contextualize beyond the limits of your perception and conception.
There are two main categories of relative truths. Some Relative Truths are concerned with Absolute Truth. These are the designations, indications and elaborations mentioned above as well as the methods for coming to direct realization of Absolute Truth. While Absolute Truth can’t be conceptually known it can be directly realized. It is this realization that is the ultimate point of authentic spiritual practice. The functionality of relative truths about absolute truths is there ability to facilitate realization of absolute truth.
Some relative truths are concerned about functionality with in the relative domain itself. This is the domain most people think of when they conceive of “reality”. These truth can range for very general to very specific. The “law” of Gravity applies to all physical phenomena within the range of perception/conception of human scientists living on planet earth. . “Three strikes and you’re out” applies to baseball (and now some legal procedures in some legal jurisdiction in America and perhaps elsewhere around the world)
The Principle of Two Truths itself is an indication toward Absolute Truth. It is actually complete but therefore necessarily paradoxical. The Two Truths are nondual but the language suggests duality. From the sided of Absolute Truth they two truths are inseparable, from the side of relative truth the two truths each deal with a different domain.
The Principle of Two Truth is a fundamental pattern in alchemy, and in life, that gets constantly reflected through out the system. The above division of relative truths into two categories is one example. Many more will be seen in future posts.
Even an intellectual understanding of the two truths will help guard the aspiring alchemist against many mistakes and confusions. Complete Realization of the Two Truths is synonymous with the central aim of all spiritual alchemy. As such it will be explored at great depths in many future posts.
August 28th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
[...] good friend Tamo speaks of them in his post, The Principle of the Two Truths… I will discuss them extensively in future [...]
September 1st, 2009 at 9:50 am
[...] The Principle of the Two Truths [...]