The only reality that matters is the one we perceive…

[Elidor]

But the one we perceive is not the only one that exists.

Which of these statements is false?

[pippin]

1. Neither

All reality today at least is mediated--filtered through the media, the internet, cellphones, computers, movies, ads, etc.,

An interesting book is one by Thomas De Zengotita called Mediated : The Hidden Effects of Media on People, Places, and Things.

The problem with your question is that there isn't an "only reality" and what we percieve is polluted as it were by the multitude of of filters.

[Elidor]

8. Not everyone is filtered through the media

I have only a little more filtering than a yak-herder in Outer Mongolia, having turned off the tv over a year ago. I do watch movies on occasion, but have no cable and no basic reception. It feels good.

The problem with my question is the classic paradox: which comes first; the human or his belief system? Do we shape reality any more or less than it shapes us? If we believe strongly enough, is it so? Or are we kidding ourselves?

[Trillo]

2. Does it matter if you perceive that your bank account has been pilfered?

Whether you perceive that theft or not is irrelevant to how much or little money is left there.

[Elidor]

5. You make a very good point

You got me there.

[DemExpat]

3. Neither are false - both are true.

The only reality that matters is the one we perceive - true - for how I experience something is what makes it valid or not for me. This perception is the only one we can work with, do anything with, so the only one that "matters".

The reality we perceive is not the only one that exists = true - I believe that everybody experiences reality in a unique way - with his/her individual filters. All equally valid (to each person)

DemEx

[Elidor]

6. Yes, but-I was also considering realities we have no knowledge of yet

Which are out there waiting for us to find them. Human reality is only one small sample of what's out there.

[DemExpat]

13. Agreed....I feel sure that there are many others....

dimensions if you will.....

Since my Zen practice taught me to be in the NOW I have learned that this personal but detached 'reality' is what matters - the present moment - so all of the other realities/dimensions waiting to be discovered/experienced are there beyond our perception and therefore unable to be appreciated, but they are there, nevertheless.

:shrug:

:hi:

DemEx

[Cleita]

4. Considering that quantum physics claims that we occupy

eleven dimensions, but are only aware of four of them, it means that we can't perceive some realities although they would appear to exist.
:shrug:

[Elidor]

7. This begins to sound like Robert Monroe

Who in turn reminds me of Phillip K. Dick's Valis. Heavy stuff.

[northamericancitizen]

9. What' s reality? I have been curse and/or blessed with that question

from the moment I realized I could take a distance from the outside world and analyze it. I was very young.

I agree with DemExpat about both being true.

I also agree with Cleita. Mind you I would not put a definitive number about the different variations of Reality.

I sometimes can feel 5 different ones. Not often, thank God.

Usually in a work or social setting I can feel at least 3. The words that are spoken, the body language, the emotional energy.

Even thou all 3 are existing at the same time and in the same location they have a form of their own and are evolving at a different pace and because of different factors.

Does it make ant sense?

Are we talking about the same thing?

lise

[Elidor]

10. Makes perfect sense

But there are a lot more than five.

[northamericancitizen]

11. I did not want to imply that there is only 5 . I am just glad

that I don't get often into a state where I become aware of so many different realities. In order to be able and/or accept to expand my awareness I have to learn a bit more about TRUST and BALANCE.

Even thou our brain can grasps a whole range of experiences and perceptions, our emotional maturity is not always in synch with it.

So far, to keep some emotional sanity, I learned to embrace and love all and any new experiences.

If for one reason or the other I feel caught in a situation where I don't know anymore which reality is the "real" one, I have to let go.

Let go of that compulsive need to KNOW.

The Buddhist writings helped me a lot.

No matter how confusing the different realities can present itself if we remember to let go and not expect an immediate and pacifying answer, we will continue to evolve. Without so much torment.

lise

P.S. English being my second language I apologize for my grammatical weakness or the involuntary imprecisions. Ty for understanding.

[Elidor]

14. You speak it better than many americans.

Most of us are quite sloppy with language, in certain ways.

Yes, emotional maturity is the rub. Whatever we are attuned to is what we are most receptive to, be it violence, love, anger or joy. The Human trap is addiction to emotion. Not that we should strive to be cold and logical, like certain sci-fi characters. But as long as we let emotion push our buttons, we are suckers for the experience.

There's some great stuff in buddhism. I think they've gone farther down the path than the other major religions. Though they do get rather kooky in their own way, at least in Tibetan buddhism.

[DemExpat]

16. I think that the human trap is not having feelings, mind, and spirit

in balance and not being fully aware of them in each moment.....

It is when one is dominant that problems arise imo.

I grew up pushing my feelings away, and after therapy learned to see them as vital, so I don't agree that we are all addicted to emotions and that that in itself causes us to be suckers.

Denying feelings is just as bad as overindulging in them IMO.

:hi:

DemEx

[Behind the Aegis]

12. Neither is false. However...

What if it was worded differently?

The only reality that matters is the one we perceive, but the one we perceive is not the only one that matters. If the assertion read this way, then one part could be false and one true or both could be false, but both cannot be true.

Does that make sense?

This is almost like, "is the glass half full or half empty of liquid?"

[Elidor]

15. Both cannot be true. Yet, both of them FEEL true

So which do we choose to believe?

Neither. It's not really a question at all. It's a statement of fact* which contradicts itself and yet is true in all its particulars.

*Facts depending entirely on which version of reality you subscribe to. :D

I suspect I have too much time on my hands, but these things are always bouncing around inside my head…