How much of what you watch, read, and hear do you accept without question? Most of us, I am afraid, accept the majority of what is told them at face value without ever checking the accuracy of what is being said. We see a comforting face, a trusted title, or some one who has been “educated” and assume their words are correct.
We trust blindly for many reasons, it may be we don’t have time to research, or we don’t enjoy researching. Maybe we already agree with what is being said, or have an opinion we want to feel comfortable in keeping. As humans, we accept information which harmonizes with our existing opinion regardless of its source. It could be we accept what is being said as the voice of Divinity, thus its accuracy is certain. Finally, some are just too lazy to put forth the effort.
Whatever your excuse for not objectively questioning, studying, and testing all views of reality, it is not good enough. We all have but one life to determine what is true and what is false, what is best and what is not. To rest peacefully and contentedly in ignorance is a crime of the highest degree against ourselves, those we love, and our world.
Before moving on, I would like to say, that I do not expect or suggest we spend hours figuring out stupid things which have no bearing on our life. It doesn’t matter if Jenny Joan was really arrested for public intoxication, or if Mr. Wheelin’s cat really got stuck in a tree. What I am suggesting is dedicated and tireless research of any information which is going to make a difference in the way we think about and live life.
Why is this important, and why should we be so skeptical of what we accept as fact? First, all information you accept as fact plays an enormous role in how you think, how you see the world, how you look at others, as well as how you conduct yourself.
What you accept as honest information is the foundation upon which your entire consciousness is built. If you accept a lie, or falsehood into the way you think, then the way you see the world is going to be altered. The bigger the lie, the more drastic its impact will be on how you think. Can you imagine waking one day and finding out that you are not the child of your “parents”? Or how about waking up and discovering you are really in the 2400 A.D. and that you have been in an ‘antiquity replication program’ (a complicated government study) since birth? You can see how either of these scenarios would, if proven true, create a million questions, and great discomfort, as your brain tried to find a replacement foundation upon which to base its very existence. Thus we can begin to see the need to make sure the rocks that form the foundation of mind, especially the big ones, are stone and not sand.
Second, most information you receive is biased, consciously or subconsciously, by the people who present it to you. No matter what it is you are reading, seeing, or hearing (even what you are reading now) comes from someone who has an agenda. The goal they have is going to be based upon what they, as a writer, artist, teacher, preacher, politician, director, etc., believe to be true and what they hold most dear in their heart. If you do not question all that is said you may end up accepting what they “think” is fact, as fact.
Furthermore, what if they didn’t question what they were told? Then they, yourself, and all others that accept without question what is being said, are merely parrots of some great, wise, or loudmouthed soul which birthed that particular view or fact.
Those who do not question the answers, the systems, and the world they are in accept the role of mop bearers when they could be captains; commanding explorations rather than obeying commands. You may not think that is bad, until the ship you’re on is taken to the bottom of the ocean and you along with it. What if your boat is taken to the bottom anyway? I believe that all who cling tenaciously to the truth will rise again even if they sink. Besides, even if my vessel sinks, at least it was my decision to go into that part of the ocean and I am not facing death and loss in the pursuit of another’s dream.
With this type of truth seeking in mind let us know turn to the main topic of this article.
Part Two: Ramifications of Zeitgiest
