This quote suggests that truth is not confined to or fully captured by language or any other system of symbols. In other words, the essence of reality, or truth, is more expansive and profound than what can be expressed through words. Symbolic systems like language, mathematics, or art, while they can represent or point to aspects of truth, are inherently limited and cannot encompass the entirety of truth.
For instance, consider trying to describe the taste of a ripe mango to someone who has never tasted one. No matter how articulate and descriptive you are, words will always fall short of the actual experience of tasting the mango. This is the limitation of the symbolic system of words. The true essence of the mango’s taste exists outside of this system, in the realm of direct, unmediated experience.
Applying this idea to today’s world, we might consider how we often mistake our descriptions or models of reality for reality itself. For example, in the realm of science, we develop complex mathematical models to describe the workings of the universe. While these models are incredibly useful and powerful, they are still just approximations of reality, not reality itself. The truth of the universe exists in a greater abundance outside of these symbolic systems.
In terms of personal development, this quote might encourage us to seek direct experience and understanding, rather than solely relying on second-hand information or symbolic representations. It might mean spending time in nature to understand its beauty rather than just reading about it, or practicing mindfulness to directly experience the present moment rather than just thinking about it. It’s about recognizing the limitations of our symbolic systems and not being confined by them, thereby opening ourselves to a richer, more direct experience of truth.
