What can you really know?

Truth is profoundly simple, yet in its simplicity lies a depth that often eludes us. Throughout history, the greatest masters, thinkers like Lao Tzu, Buddha, or even modern philosophers such as Alan Watts have distilled profound wisdom into concise phrases or sentences that cut through the noise of existence. "The way that can be spoken of is not the eternal way," Lao Tzu reminds us in the Tao Te Ching, a single line that encapsulates the essence of reality without unnecessary adornment. Similarly, in the innocent melodies of children's songs, we encounter unadorned truths: "Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream." These words resonate with a purity that speaks directly to our souls, hinting at the illusory nature of our perceived struggles. So, why do we complicate it? Why can't we embrace these straightforward insights and integrate them into our daily lives, allowing them to guide us toward peace and clarity?

The answer lies in our human tendency to overthink and resist. These simple explanations, phrases, and expressions strike a chord within us, they "ring true" in the quiet recesses of our minds, evoking a sense of recognition, like rediscovering something we've always known but forgotten. Yet, we often fail to grasp their full magnitude. We hear them, nod in agreement, but stop short of unpacking their layers. For instance, a proverb like "This too shall pass" might comfort us in a moment of hardship, but do we truly extrapolate it to its logical end? It implies not just the transience of pain, but the impermanence of joy, success, and even our very identities. People struggle to extend these ideas to their ultimate conclusions because doing so demands uncomfortable self-reflection. It requires dismantling the elaborate mental constructs we've built, our egos, our narratives, our attachments to reveal the bare bones of reality. Instead of pursuing this inner work, we chase complexity, mistaking it for depth, and in the process, we distance ourselves from the freedom that simplicity offers.

This resistance manifests in a culture of consumption and evasion. Countless individuals flock to seminars led by self-proclaimed gurus, shelling out hundreds or even thousands of dollars for weekend retreats promising enlightenment. They invest in "masters" and teachers who repackage ancient wisdom into branded courses, complete with glossy workbooks and motivational speeches. Merchandise floods the market: healing crystals purported to align chakras, symbolic jewelry etched with sacred geometry, clothing emblazoned with mantras like "Namaste" or "Be Here Now." These items, while perhaps aesthetically pleasing, become crutches rather than tools, distracting from the real work. Then there are the therapists, valuable in many contexts, but often sought as a perpetual escape, with sessions costing fortunes over years without leading to true resolution. And let's not forget the exotic getaways, yoga retreats in Bali, silent meditations in the Himalayas, or wellness spas in Sedona, all designed to temporarily flee the mundanity of existence rather than confront it head-on. In this frenzy, we spend not just money but precious time, outsourcing our inner peace to external validators instead of cultivating it within.

But here's the liberating truth, you can save your resources and redirect them inward. True freedom doesn't require a credit card or a passport. It emerges from understanding, accepting, and internalizing just two foundational concepts. Once these take root in your being, the chains of confusion and striving dissolve, leaving you unburdened and empowered to live authentically.

First: Why are things the way they are? The answer is disarmingly straightforward, it just is. There is no grand cosmic "why" that we can definitively uncover, no hidden agenda or ultimate purpose scripted by some divine playwright. Reality unfolds as it does, shaped by an intricate web of causes and effects that stretch back infinitely, beyond our comprehension. Consider the natural world: a flower blooms not because it "should" or for our admiration, but simply because conditions, soil, water, sunlight allow it to. Similarly, your life circumstances, the joys and sorrows alike, exist without needing justification. Can you accept that? True acceptance isn't passive resignation. It's an active release of the need for explanations. It frees you from the exhausting cycle of questioning "Why me?" or "What if things were different?" Imagine the energy reclaimed when you stop wrestling with the unchangeable and instead flow with what is. This acceptance fosters resilience, allowing you to navigate life's unpredictability with grace rather than resistance.

Second: What is truly real? At its core, only one thing can be irrefutably proven, consciousness of some sort exists. Right now, as you read these words, there is an awareness experiencing them. This "I am" presence, this spark of sentience, is the bedrock of existence. Everything else is layered atop it through belief, perception, and supposition. Science can map the brain's neurons firing, philosophy can debate solipsism or materialism, but no empirical evidence can confirm the external world beyond your direct experience. The stars in the sky? They appear in your consciousness. The people you love? Their essence is filtered through your awareness. Religions, ideologies, and even scientific theories are constructs, useful perhaps, but not absolute truths. They are stories we tell ourselves to make sense of the mystery. By recognizing this, you strip away the illusions that bind you, seeing through the veil of dogma and assumption.

With these two pillars in place, accept the raw situation of your existence and move forward. Let go of the "what ifs" that tether you to hypothetical futures and release dwelling on the past that replays old wounds like a broken record. In doing so, you become free to simply be, to exist in the present moment without the weight of invented narratives. Don't fall prey to unfounded, unprovable beliefs that masquerade as certainty, whether they're spiritual myths, societal expectations, or personal delusions. These falsities create victims, trapping people in cycles of fear, guilt, or false hope.

Instead, live your life liberated from such deceptions. Embrace the simplicity: it just is, and you are aware in some form. From this foundation, authenticity blooms naturally. You'll find joy in the ordinary, strength in uncertainty, and a profound peace that no seminar or crystal could ever provide. This is the path to true freedom, uncomplicated, accessible, and eternally yours.