The Illusion of Truth: What We Know May Not Be Real

 Sant Kabir’s doha, “Suna sunai sab baatein, jaise phool chandan jaye; Tera bhi satya nahin, jhooth hai, jhooth hai,” presents a profound insight into the nature of truth and perception. He points out that much of what we hear and believe is as fleeting as the fragrance of sandalwood, fading away without a lasting impact. The truth we hold dear, our personal narratives, is often just an illusion—a construct of our limited minds. This teaching delves into the heart of human experience and challenges us to question the stories we tell ourselves and the truths we cling to.

In our daily lives, we gather our understanding of the world from external sources—what we hear, observe, and absorb from society. These external truths, Sant Kabir suggests, are like the fleeting fragrance of sandalwood: pleasant and comforting but impermanent and, ultimately, an illusion. They do not define reality, yet we often attach great importance to them, shaping our beliefs, choices, and sense of identity based on this ephemeral information.

Sant Kabir is not merely dismissing external knowledge but is asking us to look deeper. He reveals that our attachment to these heard or learned truths is the root of our misunderstanding. We believe these stories because they align with our conditioning or the lens through which we view the world. But the moment we pause and reflect, we see that these “truths” are not absolute—they are interpretations, shaped by time, culture, and personal biases.

This doha pushes us to realize that even our own personal truths—what we believe about ourselves and the world—may not be the ultimate truth. Our perceptions are often coloured by desires, fears, and past experiences. We think we know who we are, but that self-image is often a collection of borrowed ideas, societal expectations, and self-deception. What Sant Kabir encourages us to explore is the idea that true reality lies beyond these surface-level truths.

Dissolving the Ego’s Stories: Finding Authenticity

One of the most difficult yet transformative realizations in spiritual growth is understanding that the stories we hold about ourselves—our successes, failures, likes, dislikes—are often constructed by the ego. The ego seeks validation, control, and security by attaching itself to these stories. But these stories can trap us, keeping us from experiencing the true essence of life, which exists beyond labels and personal narratives.

Sant Kabir’s message asks us to let go of the need for definitive truths, to question everything we hold onto, and, in doing so, to dissolve the ego’s grip. He invites us to realize that the “I” we cling to, the identity built on stories, is an illusion—just like the transient fragrance of sandalwood. By recognizing the illusion of these personal truths, we open ourselves to a more profound experience of reality—one that is not defined by fleeting ideas but by a deeper connection with existence.

The Space Beyond the Mind: Where True Understanding Resides

When we stop identifying with the stories in our mind, we move into a space of stillness, a space beyond thought. In this space, the need to label and define dissolves. This is where Sant Kabir’s teaching leads us—to a place where we can see that what we thought was the truth was just a story, and beyond that story is a vast, peaceful awareness.

This is not about rejecting the world or denying practical truths; rather, it’s about recognizing the limitations of the mind and the ego in comprehending ultimate reality. True understanding comes not from gathering more knowledge but from letting go of the need to cling to knowledge. It is about surrendering to the moment, accepting the flow of life, and finding peace in the present.

A Practical Toolkit for Navigating Personal Illusions

To integrate Kabir’s wisdom into your daily life, here’s a practical toolkit to help you question and transcend the personal illusions you may hold:

1. Daily Reflection: Begin each day by reflecting on one belief or story you hold about yourself or the world. Ask yourself, “Is this really true?” By regularly questioning your assumptions, you start to see how many of them are based on fear, ego, or societal conditioning.
2. Silent Observation: Set aside 10-15 minutes a day to sit in silence. During this time, simply observe your thoughts without attaching to them. Notice how they arise, change, and fade away, just like the fragrance of sandalwood. This practice helps cultivate detachment from the mind’s stories and opens up a deeper awareness.
3. Gratitude Without Expectation: Practice gratitude for things as they are, without the need to label them as “good” or “bad.” By accepting life without the mind’s constant judgment, you begin to dissolve the illusions that hold you back from experiencing true peace.
4. Ego Awareness Practice: Whenever you feel emotionally charged—whether with anger, pride, or insecurity—pause and ask yourself, “What story is my ego telling me right now?” Simply becoming aware of the ego’s narrative begins the process of detachment from it.
5. Letting Go of Labels: Choose one aspect of your identity each week (e.g., “I am a professional,” “I am successful,” “I am smart”) and consciously loosen your attachment to it. Explore who you are beyond that label. By doing this regularly, you will gradually disidentify from the limiting stories you’ve built around yourself.
6. Forgiveness Ritual: Every night, write down one thing you forgive yourself for, along with one thing you forgive others for. Forgiveness helps release the mind’s attachment to past stories and clears the path for authentic living.
7. Truth Meditation: Focus on a simple phrase like “I am not my thoughts, I am not my stories.” Repeat it during meditation and allow yourself to let go of identifying with the mental noise. This will guide you toward a more profound sense of being.
8. Non-Attachment Challenge: Each day, challenge yourself to let go of one material or emotional attachment. Whether it’s your attachment to an outcome, a belief, or a possession, practice surrendering it. This helps break down the ego’s reliance on external validation.

By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you’ll begin to see the transient nature of personal truths. Sant Kabir’s wisdom offers us a way to break free from the mind’s stories and illusions, guiding us toward a more authentic and peaceful existence. This journey is not about acquiring more knowledge but about stripping away the illusions that prevent us from seeing the truth that already resides within.