Truth

What is the truth? I believe the only way to find the truth is to discard everything that is not the truth. Like looking for a diamond in a truck load of gravel; the only sure way to find the diamond is to discard everything in the truck that is not a diamond.

Where do we start and what can we be sure of? We know there is life because we have life. We know there is consciousness because we are conscious, but consciousness cannot be something in consciousness. Where is the source of consciousness?

I believe intellectualizing about such things tend block us from finding the truth. And do we really need all the answers to live a happy productive life that will benefit ourselves and others we come in contact with?