It has long been said that the truth shall set you free. However, you and I both know that the truth doesn’t always show up distinguishing itself as the truth. In fact, every now and then, it shows up posing as a wolf wrapped up in sheepskin.
So, this may lead some to wonder, how does one go about determining what’s authentically true and what’s just representing itself as the truth.
I have come to find that developing a particular type of skill to be the most effective way to determine the authenticity of anything. Whether you’re seeking the truth on your spiritual journey, the status update of a questionable relationship (or friendship), or something as simple as choosing which product you should spend your hard earned money to make a purchase of necessity.
The skill I’m referring to and bringing up for today’s discussion is discernment.
The Breakdown
So what exactly is this “discernment,” anyway?
According to Dictionary.com, discernment is “using acuteness of judgment and understanding,” or, having a “keen perception and judgment.”
In other words,
Discernment is being mindful of what is being presented and trusting ourselves, intuitively, to make the best call. (Tweet this)
Not to be confused with the mind chatter, which is more of a distraction, than offering of good advice; discernment is a communicative based relationship we have with our first love (ourselves), which is meant to remind us of what has already been established, or at the very least, concluded.
A Common Misconception
When I first discovered the term, I was just a boy growing up attending the storefront church, with my grandmother. I would hear countless sermons about “having discernment,” and in each one, the preacher would make it sound almost as if it were some sort of a superpower we needed, but weren’t promised we’d receive.
Despite what I learned growing up, I now know that discernment has nothing to do with religion, whatsoever. It’s far deeper than what many religions and religious leaders attest it to be. It’s up to us, individually, to be able to decipher what we believe is true or not, and not allow other’s differing views or disapproving opinions, to guide us with their traditions and personal persuasions.
With discernment, we can challenge internally the information we’re being given, to assist us in determining our feelings or beliefs about matters that affect us, as individuals.
Discernment isn’t inborn, or religious, it is the development of one’s own good judgment. It’s sharpened with practice and experience.
As an adult, I have since learned to do what the Apostle Timothy suggests Christians do in such cases, which also, in my opinion, is a key step one should consider towards honing the skill of discernment
It reads,
Master Life Lesson: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (Tweet this)
It is easy to become overwhelmed by the Tsunami of information and changing fads that crash against the shores of our mind, seemingly every hour of the day.
If someone were to try to process all the information we’re given, having never begun the process of developing their skills of discerning what’s for them and what’s not; they stand a high risk at being overwhelmed by the flood of information, than say, someone who intuitively judges the information they’ve being given.
The Path to Discernment
So where does an individual begin to develop their skill of discerning?
- Know Thyself – Initially, the ability to discern begins within us. It’s the first brick laid after one has gotten to “know thyself.” If we don’t trust ourselves and in the process of life, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll listen to ourselves to hear what we have to say. If we don’t know who we are, then we risk passing that responsibility on to someone who may not have our best intention in mind.
- Listen Inwardly – After establishing or reestablishing the relationship with oneself, the next step is to begin paying closer attention to those intuitive hunches and perceptive observations. We are hardwired to be honest with ourselves, but after years of conditioning and being told to “hide our true feelings,” we begin resorting to the lies as “the truth” and the truth as “lies.”
- Study Well – Interestingly, both the Apostle Paul and Buddah said to “Work out your own salvation.” What does that say to me? Seek the truth for yourself by studying to show thyself the answers. The truth doesn’t desire to hide itself from us. We cover up our mind to the truth. Blocking anything out that goes against what we’ve been told it to be. Studying implies that we use every resource that’s available to us.
- Meditate and/or Pray – As my grandmother used to say, “Go into your secret closet.” Or, go wherever you have set aside to fellowship with your Beloved, Source, or God (The Beloved is not as particular about its name, as much as we are). When we go within to seek the Truth, it will always be there waiting for us.
When we master the art of discernment, we are much better equipped to see the authenticity of life’s wonders. That is where we find our release, along with our True Self’s liberation.
Over to you,
What are your contributions about the topic of discernment? Please share your thoughts, insights, or any personal experiences you might have in the section provided below. You never know if what you have to contribute will help someone else on their journey.
Thank you in advance.
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{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
I needed this reminder today. My heart was feeling a little heavy. But the truth is, I do know myself. I am on the path. I listen to my heart. I flounder, sometimes, but when I do, I grow. I learn. And I keep moving forward. I do not judge others. I know that they too, are on their own journeys.
I have discerned my way. I honour who I am, and I strive to be a better me every day. I have learned to trust myself. And whenever I am confused, all I have to do is look inside. For that is where I know all my answers lie. There, I find the Truth.
Thank you for shining your light on my path. I am thankful to be sharing my journey with you.
Shelley Lundquist ( recently posted this awesomeness..A New Year, New Age, New You
That’s super awesome, Shelley! I’m glad it resonated so greatly with you.
I’m also delighted to read that you are undergoing the journey too, and being fully open to learning and growing from every life experience. That’s a HUGE realization, my friend. Although, it’s one that is easily detectable in you. One can’t help but to see it and feel it.
This was so powerful: “I flounder, sometimes, but when I do, I grow. I learn. And I keep moving forward.” So true, my dear friend.
Thank you so much for sharing you light with me as well. We are beyond blessed to have had our paths to cross. I look forward to growing even more with you. Cheers and Blessings.
Self-forgiveness is a huge part of my idea of “the release” that’s available to us when we seek whatever we desire internally.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Expect the Best to Come From Life’s Changes
Trying to master a skill? I cannot agree more with you on this, the moment I picked up my guitar, I had my life laid out right in front of me. It wasn’t like, ‘be a guitarist’, it was just do things which you’d enjoy and completely forget the negative things around you.
Listen inwardly, what a fantastic tip. We sometimes get confused as to what inner voice really is but once you hear it, you can easily hear the difference. It’s like you say, intuitive!
Superb post!
Aditya
Awesome to read you, Aditya!
You’re so right, mate! Many times, it can happen exactly how you described. For some people, it’s a grueling process filled with uncertainties, fears and doubts. Others, won’t relate to it, or might even say that it doesn’t exist. Then there are those like you, who were able to distinguish more clearly what was being spoken, as well as what was actually being said for you to do. I don’t believe either is any more right, or less wrong. I think it’s a continuous journey; one where we spend a life time sharpening. It’s also one that will serve us faithfully over and over again.
Thanks for the compliment also, mate. I’m glad you enjoyed the read.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..An Awakening Experience and Yet Another Lesson Learned
Discernment is a great, important topic, Deone, so thank you for writing about it and for inviting us to join in. You outlined some key steps for discernment, including knowing ourselves and meditating/praying. I’d add that having time and space to be in the quiet, not necessarily asking anything or seeking any answers is also important. That creates spaciousness for us to be and really hear/feel/sense our Truth. Also, sometimes journaling can be helpful because we process the noise keeping us from our truth as we journal. Whatever the means, having a practice of regularly ceasing doing and over-thinking is key to discernment, in my humble opinion. Thank you for the conversation, Deone!
Alice Chan recently posted this awesomeness..Living The Whole You
And a wonderful opinion it is, my friend. Thank you for adding a bit more depth to the conversation, Alice!
I agree with you completely. I have come to be quiet fond of my moments of solitude. As you shared, it’s not a time that is spent making request to free us from the reality of where we are right now in our lives. Rather, it’s a time meant to be used to observe everything around us in the moment. Journaling is also a great way to connect with our true inner Self. It’s a great way to see for us to keep a mindful eye on what’s being contemplated when we think there’s nothing really there.
Awesome addition, my friend! Thanks as always for your sharing and sharpening. Blessings.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Are You Living an Adventure?
You laid the groundwork for this one perfectly Deone!! And I love the steps that you give here for ‘polishing’ your discernment! What you stated is so true: nowadays it can be really hard to differentiate the real voice of discernment inside your mind from all the noise that floods us everyday. The practices you give here are crucial, and they work — I’m a witness!!
Love this one Deone — phenomenal share as always!
MELISASource recently posted this awesomeness..Recap: Monica Cost Empowerment Series: Ending The Waiting To Your Beginning
Thank you, Makeba! I’m glad to read you enjoyed the message, my friend.
Yes, indeed… it is extremely noisy in the world today. Discernment will keep us grounded to our principles and values. It makes the “hard work” of differentiating authenticity a whole lot easier for us.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences. It is always encouraging to read you. Blessings.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..The New Year Quote Me Reflections: “The Year of Mastery”
Sometimes we just have to take a step back and not get swallowed up by all the empty promises. So many times when we don’t do this we can be overwhelmed with so much that before we know it we are in over our heads.
Have had to think seriously over the past few years with the way the economy has destroyed so much of our wealth. It is easy to lose so much, but forever to get it back.
A positive attitude will see you through all the peril and knowing that as bad as things seem, it is nothing comparison to what others go through on this planet earth.
Being grateful each day brings a smile of hope.
Mary
Mary Stephenson recently posted this awesomeness..Conformity or Do You Stand Alone?
Hi Mary and Welcome!
You bring up a great point here. It’s incredibly easy to get caught up in what’s happening in the world; especially if we grab hold to everything we’re being told by the “powers that be” and media. They would have us to believe the end is near, and anticipating it, instead of a new beginning. It’s one of the main reason I am so cautious of what I watch, and what I put into me. That has made a huge difference in my life.
I agree with you totally that optimism and gratitude are the most effective tools we have, alongside a discerning spirit, to guard ourselves against negativity and drama in the world. We must also never forget that one thing is definitely sure, things will change. If we remind ourselves of this fact daily, we are less likely to get down on ourselves. If someone is displeased with their conditions today, the best thing for them to do would be to begin to understand that it is not permanent.
Great additional views to the discussion, young lady. Thank you for sharing them with us. Blessings.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Why I am Choosing the Power of Influence over Popularity in 2013
Wonderful Deone!
I believe the purpose of life is to find the truth by making efforts. Even if you find the truth ready-made in front of you, you might not believe it. There will be many doubts in your mind. But if you make your own efforts, you know for sure that your finding is true.
But if truth finding were so easy, then life wouldn’t be interesting. You’ll get bored and be disappointed. Truth needs to be discerned by first understanding the self and then believing in it. Then you hear the inner faint voice, everybody has it; you just need the practice and the belief to hear it. It will always tell you the truth. You can even test it, and your mind will go bonkers with the results. Actually your mind will vanish as you’ll be directly connected to your core – the truth itself.
Of course, truth is just plain and pure truth. Truly, it has no relation to any religion, sex, caste, creed, color, name or form. Like the Internet is just Internet – there are no associations.
To me, discernment is the ability to understand, filter, and distinguish or discriminate. You say it right when you say – discernment isn’t inborn. You work to develop it. Once gained, as you mention, it helps us in every aspect of our life, and in all things we do in our daily life.
I totally agree with your steps to discernment – know yourself, listen inwardly, study well, meditate and/or pray. One thing you wrote I like is – The truth doesn’t desire to hide itself from us. We cover up our mind to the truth. Absolutely correct!
Thanks for sharing such an awesome post, I agree with it every bit. I’m so happy to know your thoughts on this topic – I thought such people only lived in the East!
Harleena Singh recently posted this awesomeness..Will You Stop Overeating
I’m delighted you thought so, Harleena!
Your feedback was wonderful to read, my friend. Within the first few lines, I was nodding in agreement and smiling at the same time.
You’re absolutely right! Finding our inner truth is each of our purpose in life. No one else is responsible or to be held accountable for what we uncover. If we uncover nothing, or don’t have a clue of what we believe to be true, it’s our own faults. It’s available to us everyday, but we must actively look in the direction of it. Being ever so careful as to not eliminate or disregard what is Divinely being placed before us. The adventure, as you shared, is in the searching for truth. For that reason, life really is never absent of excitement, is it.
I am so thrilled for the wealth of experiences, knowledge, and wisdom I’ve been able to uncover on this journey to enlightenment. However, I know it’s because I’ve continued to stay open to what the Infinite has been revealing to me and through various experiences I’ve been having over the last few years.
I think that many times we miss truth and cause ourselves suffering and discourse by trying to put what we’re being presented with into a particular category, group, or a label. We are such a control driven species. A species that thrives believing itself to have more control than it really does. It matters very little what the truth says in reality. If it goes against what we want to believe, we will convince ourselves that it is what we think it is, rather than what is.
Simply put, you bought much to this discussion, my friend. And I cannot thank you enough. I’m happy to your thoughts as well. Lately, it’s been the way of the East that has loaned me the access to my inner truths. For that, I am deeply grateful.
Again thank you dearly for your contribution. Blessings.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Releasing Thought: Overthinking the “Immovable” Problems of Life
Deone,
I have recently come to love that term – “Discernment.” It sounds serious yet meaningful, which is what it should be. Through it, we need to listen closely. We need to listen inwardly, outwardly, and overtly. Soaking it in let’s us select a path to live it all out loud.
Great post. Thanks!
Jon
Jon Mertz recently posted this awesomeness..Is It Better to Have a Life Plan or a Life Philosophy?
You and me both, Jon! I’m with you; I think it’s both, serious and meaningful. We shouldn’t take it lightly. It’s a gift that so many people are unable to access. I concur though, we only need to listen… “inwardly, outwardly, and overtly.” (Loved that!) And totally, “live it all out loud.” (Brilliant!)
Great thoughts, my friend. Thank you for sharing and the sharpening.
Cheers and Blessings.
Deone recently posted this awesomeness..Reflections: Releasing Judgments
Great post. I’ve often had conversations with myself or mini Twitter rants about discernment vs. judgment. In deciding what is for me or not for me, I sometimes struggle with not judging others based on that belief. I understand, of course, that everyone has a different path, but there are some things that are inextricably part of my soul. It’s with those matters that discernment starts to cross the line into judgement for me. It’s something I’m actively working on. This challenge is part of my journey.
Emelia recently posted this awesomeness..I KNow I Am but What Are You? 10/28/12
You’re not alone, Emelia. Not at all!
It’s a slippery slope between the two, discernment and judgment. I’ve come to believe that the spirit knows the truth. It also knows when we’re simply judging the experience. I am beginning to understand that as long as I am observing my reactions, behaviors, and thoughts – it (spirit) will lead me where I need to go. That comes from us trusting ourselves more and more, and also being consistent with improving our ability to discern. The Buddah and Jesus both offers us to know that as long as we are living in our truth, it will not hide itself from us. Buddah said, “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” Then Jesus mentioned, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
So yes, we are actively working on this my friend. We also are trusting that the Infinite will masterfully lead us in the right way in which we should be going.
Awesome addition, my sister! Thanks for the contribution!
Blessings.
Powerful post, Deone! I love it!
As I read your post I thought of a life lesson I learned some years ago: you don’t have to believe everything you think or feel. Before I learned this lesson I didn’t live my life so much as I reacted to my life. My life was a rollercoaster ride.
When I learned that I don’t have to believe everything I think, or even everything I feel, I realized I had the opportunity to stop and discern the truth of my situation. I looked beyond my reaction to the moment and started to trust my truth.
The first time someone asked me, “what is your truth?”, I was stunned. Not, “what do you think?”, or, “what do you feel?”. What is your truth? All of the sudden I realized my truth was so much more than my reaction and my truth gave me the freedom to respond instead of reacting. My truth gave me the freedom to live my life.
Have a grateful day!
Chrysta
Chrysta Bairre recently posted this awesomeness..6 Things Not To Say In The Workplace
Hi Chrysta,
It’s fabulous reading you here, my friend.
It’s been far too long.
I can so relate to what you’ve shared. I was in many ways just like you. I lived reacting to life. As a result, it was totally a roller coaster of emotions, behavior patterns I couldn’t or didn’t want to change, and that way of living made my life a lot more difficult that need be. You made a brilliant point though, “we need not believe everything we think or feel.” So often, that’s a lot easier to do. I guess because we learned to identify each experience with our minds (or ego), and it wants nothing but to protect itself from what is true.
Absolutely loved this though, “All of the sudden I realized my truth was so much more than my reaction and my truth gave me the freedom to respond instead of reacting. My truth gave me the freedom to live my life.” That’s exactly where I’ve been lately. You’re so right, my friend! Discernment leads to our freedom.
Wonderful feedback and so impertinent to this ongoing discussion! Thank you so much for sharing your truths with me and the other readers here! Loved it!
Blessings.
Excellent post, Deone. I do Mind Mapping to figure things out, too. Or I go for a walk in nature with a notebook and pen in my pocket. Oftentimes, that’s when I think deep thoughts.
Susan Ekins recently posted this awesomeness..Good Times, Bad Times
Thanks Susan! Always a pleasure reading you.
I love doing that myself, my friend. Nature has become one of my greatest teacher. It always has something wonderful that’s full of wisdom to teach, doesn’t it. In its stillness lies so many of life’s answers.
Awesome contribution, beloved.
Thank you for sharing it. Blessings.
Every day is a new chance to make great things happen, isn’t it?! That gives me such power and joy. Knowing that regardless of how yesterday went today is a brand new day that is clear and ready to be painted. Everyday we have the chance to discern the truth, to meditate on it, to listen to our soul speak as we embark on a new morning, a new path, a new day in the life….Cheers Deone!
You’re certainly right about that, Suzie! We always have a new opportunity standing before us. It is a “joyfully powerful” thing to be in the knowing about, that’s for sure. As long as we know that we are always in control of our choices and decisions, and able to change only those things we can; suffering and pain will begin to recede off the shore of our minds. We must wave them farewell when they do.
Cheers and Blessings to you as well, my dear friend.
Great post on an important attribute, Deone.
The dictionary definition struck me as a little odd, because perception and judgment are two lenses that will blur your discernment big time. As you said, discernment is the inner knowing.
Unfortunately, humans have this taught out of us early. Babies can sense the mood of the person who is holding them. But as we grow up, were are told that it’s not possible for us to do that. So we are taught either to trust everyone or trust no one. At least until we have “proof”…
Animals are much better at discernment than we are. Whenever I would be looking at a prospective yard man, I would always take him around to meet my dog, Buddy. If Buddy was friendly to him it was a pretty good indication that he was a decent and trustworthy person. He knew instinctively if someone was okay. Alas, Buddy is gone now, so I’m on my own.
But my first reaction to a person is usually spot-on…
Ken recently posted this awesomeness..Now That I Can See
Thank you, Ken. I really appreciate your contribution to the post, mate.
You made a very important point that I hadn’t considered, but I agree wholeheartedly. The point that stuck out for me is what you said about babies being able to sense the mood of the person who is holding them. I believe that, but I had never considered it being an attribute of discernment. However, it definitely is. It actually makes sense. If we are on a spiritual journey, and have already been equipped to handle everything there is to deal with in this world; why wouldn’t we not have been given the gift before we were given life. That was a huge AHA for me, bud!
Thanks for that!
I also agree with the point you made about animals. The other day, I went out doors to write. I was totally in the zone. I felt so connected to the great outdoors. All of sudden, a little bird (not sure what kind it was) came an landed on the bench I was typing on, and sat there tweeting at me as if it knew exactly what I was writing. Shortly after it flew off, a squirrel climbed on the bench and preceded to crack a nut it had found (not as close as the bird, though). I thought to myself, “That’s a first.” However, what you said here really has me thinking they both were able to sense the feelings I was having on the inside. That has made me feel really good.
Thanks for that one too.
I am always inspired by what you’ve added to the discussion, my friend. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have connected with you. It’s always great reading you, mate. ALWAYS!