Being Faithful to Truth Life to Truth

"The ultimate source of courage, of 'fidelity to truth,' is fidelity to the light that is in us which is from God. May you find again within yourself the deep life-giving silence which is genuine truth and the source of truth: for it is a fountain of life and a window into the abyss of eternity and God."  (Thomas Merton in correspondence to Boris Pasternak in collected letters, Courage for Truth, 1958)

Carolyn understanding: Fidelity to truth is my faithfulness to what I currently understand as Truth, for the more I am faithful to my current understand the more Truth seems to come to light.  This I have come to know, and I find the silence of twilight a nightly metaphor. It reminds me of the the recurring truth that going willingly into the depths of the dark abyss of night will ultimately lead me to the source and fountain of life. And this 'fountain of life' reveals herself-- as in the ever present, though not always visible, morning star.

Self reflection: I find myself in the deep life giving silence of the twilight time. Here I can be faithful to my commitment to Live Truth, as I currently understand Truth.

Thomas Merton on Speaking Truth

The waning phase of the moon cycle is a metaphor for shedding and letting go of our burdens, fears, and battered beliefs. It is also symbolic of emptying ourselves out into the world, a visual nudge of encouragement to give of our gifts and talents in service to the world and to our own life.

"To find the courage to Speak the Truth, it is very good, almost essential, to have at one's side others with similar determination, and one can then be guided by a common inspiration and a communion in truth." (a letter to Ernesto Cardenal in 1967 from Thomas Merton.)


Self Reflection: Who are those in my life with who help me find courage to Speak Truth?

Consciousness and Conscience: The Way of Serving Truth

"At root one searches for God by only one way, i.e. in following the truth with all the sincerity of one's conscience."   (Thomas Merton, from The Courage for Truth, Letters to Writers pg 209- in a letter to Victoria Ocampo) 

We enter the 14 Days of the Waning Moon Phase

Stop now and take a moment to ask:

What was my starting point in this cycle?

What has been added to make my life full in this cycle?

What are my victories, my efforts, no matter how tiny they might seem, that add to the ultimate and 

       inevitable illumination of my life?

What would I wish to keep?

What would I to wish share?

What would I not have added, if given the chance for a do-over (these are called regrets)?

Let these words rest with you again. The wisdom you receive from this reflection will serve you to step out with consciousness (and conscience) in Service to Truth.