"There is no truth. There is only perception."
“You can calculate the worth of a man by the number of his enemies, and the importance of a work of art by the harm that is spoken of it.”
“Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless”
“Do not imagine you can exorcise what oppresses you in life by giving vent to it in art”
“Our ignorance of history causes us to slander our own times.”
“Reality does not conform to the ideal, but confirms it.”
In an article by Chris Maser that can be found here under Perception is Truth one can find some interesting quotes which I also find quite relative.
The Indian spiritual leader, Mahatma Gandhi, said that, "A votary of truth [a person fervently devoted to truth] is often obliged to grope in the dark."
"Truth is absolute. Perceptions of truth are relative. Therefore, facts, which are perceptions of truth, are relative. That is why truth is singular and perceptions plural. "
"Trying to understand the Universal Laws is the essence of science. Yet even having worked as a scientist for 40 years or more, I would not know a "scientific truth" if I stepped on one, because my perception of how Universal Laws work is constantly changing. A "scientific fact" is therefore a fact only by consensus of the scientists, which means that a scientific fact or "truth" is only an approximation of what is. It represents our best understanding of reality at this moment and is constantly subject to change as we learn."
"My dream told me that Truth is both impartial and perfect, while our perception of truth is both partial and imperfect. In addition, Truth can exist only where The Eternal Mystery is, only in the present, in this instant, in the here and now. The past and the future are both illusions, and like all illusions, they are devoid of Truth."
It is why I always try and mention that what I write about is my opinion. I often fail unfortunately because I am human and passionate about some subjects. My truth is my perception of "what is" and may or may not be true in the truest sense of true or even perceived as true by those with a different perception of reality. Any of us that claim the righteous "truth" are in fact lying to ourselves because perception makes it our truth.
When I write about myself it is from my memories and they may or may not be flawed but it is what I remember and luckily I have someone around that remembers and was involved with my life until I was 17 but even her version of the "truth" is how she perceives it although she did write a journal about all of it as it was happening, which is also her perception of what happened which quite often contradicts how I actually thought it happened. Her perception is different than mine because she witnessed it and lived it from a different perception.
I write for myself and my opinions are my opinions. I really do not care who reads this blog. If your perception is different and I upset you then go read a blog you agree with. The first 25 years of my life were lived in turbulent times when there was hardly even a perception of the truth about what I was. Even after I learned I was "transsexual" I really had little information about what that truly meant other than the occasional meeting or phone call with Dr. Benjamin. It got better as the years passed but it was never easy.
I have often said it was just so confusing. I thought I was a girl and could not understand why they could not just "let me be" a girl. The naivete of a child whose perception was that she was really a girl despite the obvious physical difference in her genitals. My perception of the truth was mine and mine alone but it was my truth and there are many children today whose perception is similar.
This perception of our truth does not make us better than any other Transsexual but it does make us different than most Transsexuals because we are the ones that usually resist and fight back against being what others perceive we should be. If we are lucky we have parents who recognize what is wrong. If we are not lucky it can get very ugly for the child. When your sex identity is at odds with your body life is not a lot of fun. Few of us make it past 30 although I have several friends who did but "living hell" seems more appropriate than "life" considering what they lived through.
It is my perception of the truth that makes it difficult for me to understand others because my perceptions cloud my view of them based on what I understand. It is the same for them when they look a me and others like me. They often believe they would like to be like me and then alter their perception of themselves to fit a paradigm that in my perception can not possibly fit them. They do not realize that 2 + 2 does not = "22" but they think I should alter my perception of the truth to fit their perception of their truth.
7 comments:
Liz
Top, top post on so many levels. Might have to mark it as a permanent favourite.
You have hit that elusive clarity many of us try to achieve here.
Elizabeth,
This does bring some clarity to my mind (feeble as it may be), about where your position develops. And, if I may pun, there is a lot of 'truth' in this posting – by my perception anyway.
“They often believe they would like to be like me and then alter their perception of themselves to fit a paradigm that in my perception can not possibly fit them”
While this may be so for many others you've spoken with, or encountered, I like to think that I only fit into my life and wish to be no other. I'm perfectly content with who I am. I really only admire a few for their achievements they've reached as a result of hard work and ethical practices. Transsexual or not.
Another axiom here might be; 'a lie told often enough can be perceived as the truth'. But then, one who discerns a lie from the truth can be at odds with reality as well. So, things can get quite convoluted in attempting to understand another's situation in comparison to their own. Where the real truth lies in relation to who is or who is not transsexual vs. transgender in current form seems all a matter of speculation, sometimes specious comments, and very little content of the real truth. In a sense, we're all just going 'round in circles.
Of course I hope you realize this is just my opinion.
Thanks for the great read.
If we are introspective, we know ourselves. If we are observant, we know how others behave, but we can't know why they do so. Projecting ourselves onto others invites misunderstanding.
- an old aunty
> The naivete of a child whose perception was that she was
> really a girl despite the obvious physical difference in her
> genitals.
Is it your perception that you were naive, or a general assumption? To me, it seems a remarkable perceptive assessment of the situation, and the alternative - to think the oddities will go away, or can be suppressed - is the naive one.
> When your sex identity is at odds with your body life is not a
> lot of fun. Few of us make it past 30
Trans youth get killed, and some kill themselves, but that statement seems way past extreme, and more like the scare stuff people like Reckers and Zucker use to justify "reparative" therapy. Especially given how many of us have transitioned way before 30. What do you base it upon?
I see no reason to believe that the children transtioning now, in childhood, will be that way. I woukd totally give up if I thought that was likely.
I am talking about Type VI transsexual and I must admit I do find the term trans youth disconcerting. trans youth implies transvestites etc. based on the common usage in today's world.
Naivete might have been a poor choice of words except for the fact that every Type VI kid I have known or dealt with prayed to god to make that thing go away between their legs. Call it silly or call it naive. The naivete is believing you will be cured without intervention.
It is a little different today with the information available through the internet but I firmly believe because of the high intensity of Type VI, that is what I meant to imply, few make it past 30 even today without help in some form. For those Type VI that are heterosexual girls in their souls it is a living nightmare to be denied the interaction they want with boys. It leads to very stupid decisions and thus dangerous situations.
I would never want you to give up and parents need the correct information today so they can help their transsexual child.
An excellent post and comment...
"My dream told me that Truth is both impartial and perfect, while our perception of truth is both partial and imperfect. In addition, Truth can exist only where The Eternal Mystery is, only in the present, in this instant, in the here and now."
When I read this post I was struck by the wisdom the quote above and this, your statement about, "The naivete of a child whose perception was that she was really a girl despite the obvious physical difference in her genitals."
When I was a tiny child, I have no idea old, I too had a dream. I had been praying to God, as I knew Him, and all the angels and saints, for as long as I could remember to Please.....FIX ME. Make me NORMAL.
One night, I was awakened in a dream, wherein I was visited by the Holy Family and assured that I was loved beyond measure, and that my prayers WOULD be answered. I was told not to worry, to be patient, and to NEVER lose my Faith. All would be resolved according to God's plan.
I firmly believe that THAT has been the case. Of that, I have NO DOUBT. ABSOLUTELY NONE.
Faith is a GIFT. Many are called, but few are chosen. I am indebted by my Faith.
Anne
http://anna-es-asi.blogspot.com/
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