Seeing the Complexity of Truth Through Many Lenses

By Trish Briggs

Naturally, over time, my daily spiritual reflection-confabs with Leila evolved into many comments like, “That is true… but it’s also not true.” At first, it was her pointing that out to me, and eventually, I found myself doing the same for her.

We began seeing things from multiple perspectives or multiple lenses. We could see our own viewpoints, and after gaining a deeper understanding of the beliefs and biases that shaped them, we could also see each other’s perspectives. It took knowing ourselves well enough to hold the grace and spaciousness needed to truly see from another angle. And then, finally, a grander perspective - the viewpoint that emerges from multiple paradigms - came into view for us.

The more we saw, the more lenses we viewed from, the more complex truth became.

Truth is not black or white. Truth is not just. Truth is not good or bad. Truth is not personal; it simply is.

A truth based solely on a personal viewpoint, clouded by bias, is not the truth I’m referring to

here. I’m speaking of the truth that remains consistent when viewed from many sides - a

multifaceted, complex truth.

Seeing this kind of truth requires looking at reality through a clear lens. It isn’t easy, but it

naturally unfolds with self-healing, reflection, and the journey of becoming who we truly are.

With these multiple viewpoints comes the understanding that all people and situations are

complex - just as we, ourselves, are complex. This becomes especially evident once we

acknowledge and embody both the good and the not-so-good parts of who we are. Everyone has both. So do we.

As we begin to accept this complexity and embrace multiple perspectives or lenses, something shifts: we start noticing the similarities between people and situations instead of focusing only on the differences. We can, if we choose, find common ground - a place from which a healing relationship can grow, rather than a destructive one.

Complexity can be intimidating because it often brings change, responsibility, and depths

(both emotionally and mentally) that feel vulnerable. But honestly, if you’ve done your inner work, know who you are, and understand your story, complexity becomes an organic part of your passage through life. The seeing becomes natural, and truth begins to reveal itself.

As we grow, heal, and open to the many lenses available to us, the truth reveals itself gently, one perspective at a time.

What deeper truth might reveal itself if you allowed yourself to see through a clearer, different, or a more compassionate lens?