Particularizing The Universal -- Universalizing The Particular.
I think there might be universal truths; if such exist, i surely do not have a handle on them. I try to get the best advice and information i can, but except for certain very limited situations, i am certain that what i come up with is limited, relative, partial or wrong. I certainly would not want to be in a position of directing someone else's behavior. I am an inveterate skeptic and doubter and i believe i have very good reasons for doubt and skepticism. I would make a lousy missionary.
On the other hand, i see bits and pieces of wisdom everywhere. I admit that those bits and pieces are not randomly distributed. They seem particularly sparse in politics, business, and church religion and particularly rife in nature, poetry and mysticism. I want to learn from the poets and mystics of all traditions and times and cultures. and soak myself in their wisdom until it becomes my own. I am a seeker.
Seeking is an effort to particularize what is universal. The seeker never finds, but he must look everywhere. and he can never be satisfied that what she or he has found is the Truth, because it almost certainly isn't. Seekers like to talk to missionaries, but they will never be converted, because the surest evidence that one does not have The Truth is the claim that one does possess it.
Truth is elusive, but once in a while an idea comes along (say, "humility trumps pride." or "humility trumps ego." ) that seems like it ought to be true. Chinese sages said it, Native American Elders said it. Buddhist teachers said it. Jewish, Christian, and Islamic mystics said it. Yogis said it. Often there is a context (Pride is mortal sin, the person without humility might end up trying to rape White Buffalo Woman, Humility is a great treasure, etc., etc..) and the context often tends to trivialize the wisdom because it is cultural and particular. That pride is a sin might be part of the particular wisdom of monotheists and (maybe) Hindus; but there is no reason why Taoists, Buddhists, animists and others need to be burdened with this "truth."
I will seek to particularize the universal wisdom; but i should not try to universalize my peculiar understanding of that wisdom.