The Colors of Truth

From the Brady Tarot, the Ace of Arrows (Swords); from the African American Wisdom Knowledge Cards, 'Chinua Achebe:'

          This Ace looks like a live totem pole made up of an owl and cougar, both which have excellent nocturnal vision. Because they were the only two animals who were able to stay awake for the seven nights of Creation, the Cherokee have a special regard for the owl and cougar, considering them the carriers of truth and reality. This card is a challenge to look with clear awareness to see beyond what seems true to what is actually true. Chinua Achebe, an author and professor, recalls reading books in his youth that pitted white men against 'savages' (Africans). He wrote, "The white man was good and reasonable and intelligent and courageous. The savages arrayed against him were sinister and stupid..." He would later realize that these books were written by white men. As a result, he decided that he would write books that illustrated a deeper understanding of what real life was like for someone with black skin. How do we perceive a truth that lies beyond assumptions and tightly held beliefs? Tara Brach writes:

There are two ways of paying attention that begin to clear away the illusion of our beliefs and loosen their grip. The first is inquiry — bringing interest and the attentive, laser-like quality of the mind to penetrate through the layers of the belief — and the second is mindfulness — meeting what arises with a quality of full, embodied presence.