Reflections in the Moonlight - A Teacher’s Lesson on Truth
It is August 4, 2024. A student and a teacher take a stroll on a mountain at night in order to see the new moon. The teacher points to the moon and asks his student what she sees.
Reflections in the Moonlight - A Teacher’s Lesson on Truth
It is August 4, 2024. A student and a teacher take a stroll on a mountain at night in order to see the new moon.
The teacher points to the moon and asks his student what she sees.
Student: A beautiful new moon of Leo! What do you see?
Teacher: I see you! But actually... I see nothing at all.
Student: I don't understand. What does this have to do with me? I'm not the moon. And besides, I am a Virgo. There’s clearly a moon here—you’re pointing right at it.
Teacher: My dear student, the answer lies within. Expand your consciousness, and you’ll see what I mean.
Student: Consciousness? What exactly do you mean by that?
Teacher: It's tricky to explain, but consciousness is something we all experience. Imagine it like a screen where all your experiences play out. Everything you see, hear, and feel—it's all projected there.
Student: So... it’s me because I can see the moon?
Teacher: In a way, yes. But there more to it than that. The moon is there, but what you’re experiencing is your perception of it—your version.
Student: My version? Isn’t the moon just the moon? It’s right there, isn’t it?
Teacher: Yes, but what you see is shaped by your senses. Your eyes catch the light, but they only capture a small part of what’s truly there. The rest is filled in by your mind.
Student: So, it’s like I’m seeing my own version of the moon?
Teacher: Exactly. Each person experiences their own truth. This is what we call “subjective truth.”
Student: But can’t we find out the real truth? We have instruments that can measure more than what we can see with our eyes.
Teacher: We can measure, yes. But even with instruments, someone has to interpret those measurements. It’s still filtered through a human mind.
Student: I see. But what does this have to do with me?
Teacher: The only time we might touch the true essence of reality is when there’s no division—when the subject and object become one.
Student: Ohhh okay... But how did the moon vanish, then?
Teacher: Hmmm. A good question. Now, ask yourself—who are you?
That’s beautiful. Thank you for writing it!