What is truly real in this world?

                                   What is truly real?

‘I told you about strawberry fields, the place where nothing is real.’ (The Beatles)

In the light of all that had been considered, a question that arose frequently during my times of consideration was; ‘What can be considered as truly real in this world of shadows and illusion? 

Being ‘real’ normally means that something actually exists, as opposed to being an illusion, which is a situation in which we believe we are seeing or experiencing something, but it really has no existence outside of our minds or thoughts.

   This has been an important question throughout the ages. In fact, many philosophers have already asked how we can ever know that what we are now experiencing is not simply a dream or illusion. In fact, psychological research does suggest that our subconscious minds have difficulty distinguishing between what is imaginary and what is real. Currently, science accepts only that which can be physically examined and measured as real. However, even here we can be deceived. Current technology involving computer-generated images and photo-shopping have proven that we can no longer base our judgments only on what we see in the media.

Truth and reality are very important for our sense of meaning in life. We all need something true, real and unchanging to use as a measure by which we plot our lives. And when our sense of reality is shaken by unfathomable events in our lives, the consequences can be devastating.  

‘We think with our past and see through our pain. We are less than objective.’ ‘We are born with the original sin of our conceptual limitations and errors of thought. Our ideas therefore, will likewise be spawned in limitation and subject to error.’

J. Henderson

Much of the blame can be laid at the door of our own minds and thinking. We cling to belief systems which may be outdated, or unable to really meet our emotional and spiritual needs, out of fear of the unknown.  We presently see only that which we wish to see, and understand only that which fits our present belief-system. Our brains and minds are simply not sufficiently evolved to view the grander multi-dimensional picture of reality, or to see the interconnections and relationships that exist at deeper levels of understanding.  

In order to know the full truth, we would have to be able to view the entire picture, including all possible scenarios, simultaneously, clearly and objectively. However, this is only an ideal, as, by living in this shadow-world, there is always the potential for ignorance, limitation and error. Any certainty we now experience is actually only our own view of the situation, producing at best, that which can only be described as a ‘personal truth’. So we have to be content in working only with scattered pieces of the puzzle of life. 

So how does this limited perspective actually come about? During our lives we quickly learn ways of adapting to, or of coping with, different social situations by behaving (and even thinking) in a certain manner which is considered ‘socially acceptable’. This is called ‘social conditioning’. We also adapt to the stress of life by learning coping mechanisms, certain attitudes, opinions or patterns of behaviour which initially appear to help us manage better, but may later be seen to be quite inappropriate and even self-destructive. As result we become even more alienated from our authentic selves.

Powerful emotions such as fear and other subtle forms of manipulation, influence the hearts and minds of masses of people who should otherwise be thinking for themselves, and have the effect of closing our minds to any new ideas which may inspire us to move beyond our conditioning and uncover new and greater vistas of truth and understanding. We are often afraid to challenge or release old and familiar ideas with which we are comfortable, even if these views are misguided, outdated, ineffective, and serve only to limit our thinking and actions.

The problem here is simple. Using a metaphor of light and darkness, we can only see daylight insofar as we are willing to draw back the curtains. This means that we will only realise higher levels of truth and reality when we are able to clear all personal issues, baggage and limited perspectives from our minds.

This does not sound very encouraging when we are actually trying to extract some meaning out of difficult life-experiences, but I suppose that accepting the idea of everyone being entitled to their own perspectives and personal truths will at least relieve us of the burden of having to judge others, and could open the door for greater tolerance and compassion. 

Adapted from the e-book 'Living on the Edge of Darkness'  by Jimmy Henderson 

http://www.amazon.com/Living-Edge-Darkness-Jimmy-Henderson-ebook/dp/B00L73YJG0/ref=sr_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1437170591&sr=1-13&keywords=jimmy+henderson

Jimmy is a cognitive researcher and metaphysician who is the published author of a number of books on the power of the mind. His books are available through his website www.jimmyhendersonbooks.com