I am an over-thinker who surrounds myself with other over-thinkers. My best friends and I can play devil’s advocate for hours. We frame and reframe whatever subject is at hand until we’ve turned over every inch of it twice. Particularly when it comes to the tough stuff, the things that challenge us, we find ways to twist and reevaluate our perceptions until there is some feeling of mental clarity and direction. Recently, I had a conversation with a fellow over-thinker about Fact and Truth.

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Merriam-Webster:

Fact 

:something that truly exists or happens : something that has actual existence

: a true piece of information

Truth

the truth : the real facts about something : the things that are true

: the quality or state of being true

: a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true

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The conversation began with my friend challenging the validity of “new-agey” “healing” practices like reiki, crystal healing, and the likes. As someone who believes a little bit of everything, my response was, “if it can’t hurt, and it might help, then why not try? Why not try if the practitioner believes in it?” I continued by expressing my distrust for what science posits as Fact… particularly when it comes to personal health. Without getting too heated about it, here’s a simple example: Eggs are good for you. Eggs are bad for you. Only eat the egg white. Eggs are good for you. Eggs are bad for you.  We can give antibiotics to the chickens and get better eggs. Don’t eat eggs from chickens treated with antibiotics. Eggs are good for you. Eggs are bad for you. Free-range eggs are healthier for you. Free-range eggs aren’t any healthier. Free-range eggs are better for the animals. Free-range doesn’t really give the animals “free range.”  Free-range eggs are worse for the environment. Eggs are good for you. Eggs are bad for you. Use applesauce instead of egg when you are baking. Vata Dosha should eat eggs. Flax egg is a good vegan egg substitute. Eggs are good for you. Eggs are bad for you. Eggs are good for you. Eggs are bad for you. Annnnnyyyyways… Fact. People – your neighbor, the media, your doctor, your nutritionist, your Ayurvedic specialist – some more knowledgable than others, tell us any of the above as Fact. “Well…. I still think there are some things that are just Fact,” my friend said as he shifted uncomfortably in his chair.  Maybe there are, but maybe we have bastardized the meaning of Fact. If a Fact is something we are offered by any of the above specialists, then Fact is biased. Fact is experiential. Fact is personal. Fact is somewhere between belief and Truth. Truth. Truth, then, is objective. Truth is unbiased. Often, Truth isn’t spoken. It isn’t over-thought. People don’t write click-bait articles about Truth (although they may write philosophical dissertations). It is just known. Truth applies to every experience. Or… maybe I’m just over-thinking this.