What does integrity mean?

What is integrity?’ Is ignorance bliss or is knowledge power? Both?

Integrity is a term that was thrown at me from a young age during schooling years, along side other concepts such as ‘resilience’. What it actually meant never really captured my attention or interest till now.

To simplify and make it more understandable, I’m digressing through my thoughts. Integrity is keeping true to yourself and your beliefs, regardless of whatever comes your way. There are billions of things everyday that will challenge what you believe in. Some rightfully so. Many of our beliefs are shaken easily by a social media motivation quote or video. Many of our beliefs are shaken by an intelligent and well-articulated person. Many of our beliefs are shaken through a little bit of reflection. But through a series of these processes over a long period of time, coupled with relentless discipline and passionate search, one would come to a strong sense of self (identity) and beliefs.

Today, this is increasingly difficult as the PROCESS required to come to your TRUE identity and deeply found beliefs through countless tests and challenges, is diluted. There are plenty of distractions, there are plenty of red herrings that look like they are real but actually empty inside. We must not discredit the lengthy process nor the time required to achieve anything of substance. Otherwise you will forever be a chameleon, changing beliefs, changing ideas based on mere feeling or motivation or the colour of the packaging.

To search for truth, you must reveal what is false. I’ve written about this before. I view Jordan Peterson and refer to his live presentation in Sydney. His wife said, Jordan needs to rest after each presentation or interview as his search for truth is incredibly draining. Just like a 90 minute, intensive workout. Any search must be well-paced, like a marathon or you will tire out and you will succumb to easy answers or instant gratification. That is just a natural part of humanity. To achieve truth or anything, one must fail countless times and go through ‘breaking point’ over and over. It is this sequence of meaningful and passionate dissonance which draws out YOUR real YOU and authentic energy.

Even then… You come to this conclusion after years of searching and struggling. What even is absolute truth? OK, you have earnt to call it YOUR truth. But what is THE truth? Is there such thing as an absolute truth? This begs the question “is knowledge power or is ignorance bliss?” As usual, I am inclined to say it is a balance of both. We must know when to let go of our grip, we must also know when to search with our absolute 101% of energy and focus. But even then, my response now is too general.

The grass always seems greener on the other side. Comparison is the thief of joy. The more we search, the unhappier we become. Do we seek satisfaction in each achievement, only to then realise it was not really an achievement, to then seek for more? Two steps back, one step forward? Do we trust in our own ability to be the traveller and truth seeker?

An interesting perspective here is that the above belief is egotistical. It puts you at the centre of the journey, you are the protagonist. What do YOU want? How do YOU feel? Are YOU okay? Yes, these are all important questions for general wellbeing but to LIVE LIFE, I am starting to believe that there needs to be more than just a foundational certainty about yourself and where you want to go. We may need to believe in something beyond ourselves. Is it God? Is it in the Universe and its mysterious ways? Do we revert back to absolute simplicity in life? What is it? Another journey for balance I’m ready to embark on 😊