Narratives
People live their lives through the lens of varying narratives. For example, in the realm of religion, a person who believes strongly in a personal god may see everything that happens to them through the lens of a god who is doing things to make them happy, who is testing them, helping them or giving them advice etc. On the other hand, scientific narratives may take the form of a series of theories, facts or rules, that help explain the physical world, such as gravity, evolution, cells replicating, photosynthesis etc. These types of narrative provide a guide to individuals on how to think and how to live.
We live our lives through many overlapping narratives including, science, religion, gender, race, politics, money, family and many more. Narratives are the ‘middle men’ between truths and ourselves. They are also the ‘middle men’ between false truths and ourselves. Some narratives may be better than others at revealing truths but none are true in themselves.
One of the biggest problems with humans orientating themselves in the world through narratives, is that once we are locked into a particular narrative (or world view), it can block us from seeing useful truths that may be embedded in other narratives. People often stick rigidly by their chosen narratives: Left or right wing politics. Religious or scientific dogma. Ideas of oppression or privilege. In the arts, stubborn cultural narratives can stop people from appreciating certain types of potentially life enhancing music, art, literature or architecture.
Individually and collectively we should allow space for updating, improving and incorporating new truths into our current narratives. The better the narratives we have in society, the closer all of us will be to the truths that inhabit our existence. The closer we will be to living in harmony with each other and with the world around us.
We should be open minded and open to truth or beauty wherever we may find it.
June 2019