What is reality but a concept unique to each of us? Can anything be classed as real when our perceptions differ greatly on so many things? Just because we see something a particular way does not make it so. We can be so insistent sometimes that our way of seeing something is more right than someone else’s way.
Keep an open mind at all times and remember that a point of view is always valuable to each individual. I always used to class myself as someone who was ‘realistic’ but after contemplating this further I realised that the term ‘realistic’ means something very different entirely.
Putting Things Into Context
Lets take the example of war. There are some people who believe that war is necessary sometimes to get peace and then in order to keep the peace. There are other people who will believe that war is evil and should never be entered into no matter what. Who is right? Is war right or wrong? That’s just an example and I’m not here to answer that question.
I’m here to demonstrate that reality is a very fluid concept. What you see as real is only defined by your belief structure. Your version of what is real is only your perception of it; not what is so. I remember some time ago doing a radio show with one of my young co-hosts. Her version of reality was all about gang crime. That was because of her perception of life which was also became her reality. It didn’t make it reality for me and my reality was very different to hers.
“We see the world, not as it is, but as we are” – Talmud
Choosing Your Perception
Here’s another example: Lets say an event occurs in your life. You have the choice about how your respond to it. Lets say you have a death in the family. (I use this example because of it’s something I’ve been through.) You can choose to see that event as something terrible and tragic to which you will respond accordingly. Or, you can choose to see that event and something that inspires you to make something more of your life; living every day as if it was the last, so to speak.
From that example you can see that you may or may not have control over the events in your life but you can certainly take control of how to respond to them. That part of life will always be within your power. This is where life gets interesting because you shape your own reality through your beliefs.
Your belief structure determines your perception which then ultimately determines how you respond to events. Going by that sequence you can then see that there is another place to start. You can choose to examine your beliefs and then choose to change them. That’s why I say that everything begins with a choice.
Skewed Perceptions
Human life is seen as very precious on Earth because people believe that humans are the top of the food chain. Other forms of life take second fiddle. It’s only a belief but the truth is many of these other life forms sustain us and were it not for them we wouldn’t be around any more. That is more a realistic than thinking that humans are superior.
There is no such thing as reality. There is only ‘your’ reality which is essentially your perception. Remember that what you believe to be true is only as true as your worldly experience and it doesn’t go any further than that. Even many scientific theories are just that; they are theories! It doesn’t make them so.
Everyday scientists are making discoveries that are forcing them to throw out the old text books and write new ones. As much as we think we may know how life and the universe works I promise the limited knowledge will continue to re-written over the coming centuries.
It’s important to note that how you choose to perceive things is how they come across to you. Am I being a hypocrite in stating this? Is this just my reality? I guess in some ways yes I am being a bit of hypocrite but this in my theory on and universal principles. I believe that your power to choose how to perceive things makes them appear that way to you.
Your thoughts? Feel free to debate in the comments section.
Check out this video about perception by Steven at his blog Change Your Thoughts
For a further in depth look at this topic why not check out this series by Jonathan at Advanced Life Skills
How Your Beliefs Create Your Reality – Part 1
How Your Beliefs Create Your Reality – Part 2
How Your Beliefs Create Your Reality – Part 3
How Your Beliefs Create Your Reality – Part 4
How Your Beliefs Create Your Reality – Part 5
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Is this reality? Two people thinking about the same thing at the same time. Cool! I heard this quote somewhere and felt the urge to share it on my blog, and here you are talking about the same thing.
I think Reality and Fact must be distinguished. Often facts can be proven, by the merely pointing out that they exist and/or by investigation.
But Reality is a judgement upon those facts, or in other words, the acceptance that these facts together mean something. But since each one of us can have a different judgement we come up with our own ‘version’ of such Reality.
The amazing thing is most us are indeed open to others’ interpretation of facts and hence allow each other to refine the collective understanding of Reality.
Isn’t that unreal?
Twitter: amitsodha
March 23, 2006 at 3:11 am
You know what they say, “great minds…” *wink*
I couldn’t agree more!
Interesting post. Sort of an age-old question, that of reality versus perception. In the end, what really matters is exactly the conclusion you draw. We all approach the world with our own set of perceptions shaped by who we are and who we have been. Being tolerant and open minded to how perceptions of others differ from our own can widen our own experiences and perceptions and provide limitless possibilities for growth and discovery. Thank you for the thought-provoking post.
Twitter: amitsodha
March 25, 2006 at 1:12 am
Hi Seawave, thank you for dropping by! You’re right, it is an age old question! But I’m young and I still have so much to learn and so it’s all new to me!
hi.
i found myself thinking about this question of reality. and i just keep thinking..why doesn’t anyone get it? i truly think that if everyone can point to the clouds and call that color “white.” the reality is that clouds are “white.” so basically im trying to say: if everyones perception are the same..that is reality.
I love this subject. I liked the comment about collective reality (by the little endian). But to add to this we cannot collect the perception of animals, spirits (if you belive in the spirit living after death), babies too young to speak… maybe they see Reality without the barrier of perception?
Twitter: amitsodha
May 13, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Hi Morvana,
It’s interesting that you call perception a barrier, I like to think of it more as a gateway. I think that perception can be finely tuned to see more than we ever thought we could. Perception is what gives us our uniqueness too.
Amit
Hi, agreed a gateway is a much better word as perception can be helpful OR destructive depending on the person. I have alot of childhood memories of perceiving the world and people as undisputedly trustworthy, genuine and loving. Does everyone start life with this view or does it depend on their personality or is this just innocence?
Twitter: amitsodha
May 14, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Yeah I think it’s more then innocence factor. Everyone in their childhood is pure and unadulterated by the mishmash of perceptions that is poured onto us, from all directions and all angles, when we turn into adults.
Have you ever caught yourself in the act of “playing” just like you used when you were a child? I remember I caught myself recently with to random objects and I managed to join them together to make then look like a air plane and I started to play with it using my imagination just as if I was a child. It’s that kind of perception and imagination that we have potential for, but we tend to loose as we get older, but it doesn’t have to be the case!
I am actually doing an essay on a topic just like this – Reality Vs Perception.
My argument is that we rely on our senses to “show” us what is “going on.”
But what is the world like to a blind/deaf person.. Do they live in an alternate reality as they do not see the world as I or someone else does?
I am also currently writing a paper on the “blue wall”
Eg that wall is BLUE to me but to someone in a different country it is a different word – does that make it a different colour.. What of a colour blind person etc..
Anywhos, enough of my prattle. It was nice to see someone questioning the same stuff as me
Amit, it would be good to get in touch and discuss.. Leave me a line on my (generic) myspace if you would like
Twitter: amitsodha
October 19, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Hey Kasey!!
What made you choose that title for your essay? Or was it a general one that you and your peers have to all work to?
Perception is definitely a tricky subect. It’s like memories too, most people cannot accurately reconstruct a memory they have, the event becomes skewed with their own idiosynchratic thoughts and tendencies so in effect the memory is neither fact nor truth, only ones most accurate ability to reconstruct a memory.
As with the example that you gave of the colour blue, you and I may differ on our perpection of the meaning of the word: “peace”….who’s definition is correct? Reality is only defined by ones own perception!
I’ll definitely pop over to your myspace and add you as a friend!
I hate Science. I am doing this topic. And my teacher is crap.
hi! i’m actually writing an oration on this topic for speech and debate, and i loved the quote by the little endian near the top… do you who said it? it would be very useful in my speech… thanks!
Twitter: amitsodha
January 10, 2008 at 11:36 am
Hi Annier,
I don’t unfortunately know who the quote was by and I’ve lost touch with the little endian. I’m sure if you google it or have a hunt around then you will find something…I can also offer a quote for you that might come in handy and is one of my favorites on this topic by Proust – The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.
I have have some personal quotes of my own that I can share with you for your debate!
Good luck and best wishes!
hi, i kind of have always thought of it as perception is what we sense as being existant (or at least what our minds accept as existing), wereas reality is the truth, which we as humans cannot possibly comprehend.
I find the challenge not to be perception vs reality – but perception and reality. I think the challenge is to always be aware that “our reality” is a combination of our environment and our perception. This awareness allows us to be much more open to how we interact with others and the environment around us.
Twitter: amitsodha
October 14, 2008 at 11:14 am
Hello Passer by. Thank you for your comments…I completely agree and that’s exactly what I was trying to say. this is one of my first articles in my early writing career so it may not have been as well presented as I would have liked.
hi,
m doin ds topic as an assignment,n its moe of fun readin sch thots n comments along wid broadening our minds,i believe..
n in ma opinion,reality is somethin based upon facts,n until a persn knows facts d reality wud also b wrong as ds reality wud hv been derived out of particular person’s perceptions.
isn’t dat confusin??
Twitter: amitsodha
November 13, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Hi Jasmine,
Yes it can be confusing. Also the facts can be distored. What may be fact to you to another may also be fiction.
What about things that don’t have facts e.g. the meaning of life? You can’t say that for a fact that the meaning of life is “blah” because that would be your own unique perception of it.
Does that make sense?
heya amit,
ah,yeah ofcourse.
c some things r like soo mch obvious.
considering ds example wud make it moe difficult a situation to understand things,it seems to confuse further. n yes if v realy wana get clear over ds topic,v shud take up some examples which r nt total fiction based.
Twitter: amitsodha
November 17, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Hi Jasmine
Exactly…that’s why perception is a very powerful thing…our seeing something makes it so to us but not neccesarily so overall.
A
heyy,
yea u cn say dat..
hw abt ur perception abt philosphy of life???
Twitter: amitsodha
November 24, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Hey Jasmine,
Well I found a quote for you from ‘Meditations’ by Marcus Aurelius, it’s a great small handbook that you can get and keep.
Here’s the quote:
“Your ability to control your thoughts – treat it with respect. It’s all that protects your mind from false perceptions – false to your nature, and that of all rational beings. It’s what makes thoughtfulness possible, and affection for other people, and submission to the divine.”
In many ways that does some up the two core things in life that make up who you are. Your choice and your perceptions. Both are within your control the only things that truly matter.
hey amit,
ds ws actuly gr8..n tnx..
bt teme one thing..truly.k?
do u really practice ds in daily life??
its just so difficult,isn’t it??
Twitter: amitsodha
December 9, 2008 at 11:20 am
I absolutely do practise it every single day! I’d be totally lying if I said that I get it right all of the time…but that’s all part of the learning process too.
For me it is the best and greatest way to live my life. Can you think of a better way?
Making choices and understanding perceptions is why I’m still here today. Read my latest blog post and you’ll see what I’m talking about.
yeah..i noe..n i believe its all about being true to ur ownself..n my idea of asking ws if u are able to get success over “what u want” to “wt actuly hapens”..everybody tries it..bt only a few get them rirte..i do it too ofcourse bt half of d times i fail,being true..
Perception is not equal to Reality! However, MY Perception = My Reality!!!
Twitter: amitsodha
January 8, 2009 at 12:18 am
Hi Ricardo…
Thank you for the comments…always appreciated and I couldn’t agree more!
I’m currently doing the essay with the prompt like this ” A different perception of reality can challenge our own “. I don’t have much idea and it’s so hard for me. I think this is somehow relates to the article you guy are discussing. Can anyone help me with it. This is a really fascinating article to discuss.
Twitter: amitsodha
September 14, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Hey Sopanha,
Great to hear from you. That sounds like a great essay. I would love to help you with your discussion.
Lets start with the question about what you believe to be your own reality and perhaps how there maybe a different perception of your reality. What do you see as your reality now?
Amit
Hey Amit, looks like we think in tandem about perception and beliefs. Just wanted to say that I enjoy your articles, and really appreciate the link love. Keep up the good work!
Jonathan – Advanced Life Skills´s last blog ..50 Timeless Life Lessons
Twitter: amitsodha
November 13, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Hey Jonathan,
It was my pleasure and I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
extremely intrigue . how would i know if my reality is in fact my own and not yours .given what Ive read from above
Twitter: amitsodha
November 16, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Hi Larry,
Great point and question. You’ve picked up something that indeed was also in my chain of thinking while writing this and the answer for me is quite straight foward. You have to choose. Personally, I like to meditate and I ask those very questions, what is real for me and what does it mean to me?
I appreciate the comments and the questions.
the confusion remains .choose what? the learning of others from my past that became my reality,or formulating yet again another reality simply because the logic behind it rings true now. thus the perplexity continues, because everything learned was learned from others (in one form or another) is it not?. im not trying to being arguementative for the sake of being so. im truly trying to understand and i am very intrigued . because it could possibly answer alot of my questions that i have and it has the possibly of lifting a tremendous amount of weight off my shoulders.excuse my sence if i doesnt make any. and thank you sir for your time .ps i do realize your position here but any and all imput will be considered to its fullest degree for the sake of keeping my reality from going insane LMV
Twitter: amitsodha
November 17, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Hi Larry,
Sorry I took so long to respond, I wanted to think carefully about the response before I gave it.
I do understand your point….to quote you “choose what? the learning of others from my past that became my reality,or formulating yet again another reality simply because the logic behind it rings true now.” In my opinion it’s the latter but again it does all come down to context and what the specific perceptions are.
You reality rings true now – what does that say to you?
I don’t always get things right, but I do learn to follow what feels good and right to me; my gut, or my intuition so to speak. Sometimes it is from past learnings and sometimes it’s from my OWN PERSONAL understanding of my reality as it means to me right now.
Whatever choice you make know that ou may not make the right choice. But I’d personally rather make a choice and get it wrong than spending too long in limbo feeling lost and confused and waste precious time of my life in a not so nice place.
I hope I’ve been of some help and if you want to discuss more of this privately let me know.
i do very much please!
what feels good and right? hmmm! once again something that has been learned to be practiced .(society’s belief) others.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 2, 2010 at 8:50 am
However Larry, you can choose to shift those beliefs anytime you want.
You might, for instance, believe that money is the root of all evil. You can easily change that by looking at the good things money does also and look towards creating a world with more evenly distributed wealth.
Perception exists because of the minds thought process and changes with mind but truth or reality never changes and always is. Truth must be sought after.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 2, 2010 at 8:51 am
Interesting thought Alex. So you’re saying there’s an ultimate truth that will always be, but our minds are what alter perception.
Im glad to see that i am not alone, i completely agree with you, and think that if more people were to think this way, we would be an entirly diffrent society.
Pablo.
Twitter: amitsodha
February 2, 2010 at 8:52 am
Thanks Pablo for leaving thoughts here.
What if I choose to believe that neither I or the universe actually exist;? will that make me count as dead and gone?
Twitter: amitsodha
February 15, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hey Rafael,
If that’s what you choose to believe, the so be it. Does that belief serve you?
Interesting – not sure I can add much to what has already been said, but I can ask the question, “Is there a reality that trumps all perception?” or “Are there absolute truths about the universe that are and untouchable by human perception?”
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this – my answer is that I do believe there are absolute truths – but those truths are related to the composition of matter, structure of how chemicals react, etc… As for human behavior, I don’t think there is any absolute truth because there are so many unique perceptions, situations, circumstances, and just plain sheer number of variables involved. If there is a reality of human behavior fully and completely understood by anyone or anything in the universe, I’d reckon it’d be a 1 x 10^1000000000000000 volume of books, each thousands of pages long
New at Jeremy Johnson’s blog ..Introducing The First Wizard, Lisa Irby
Twitter: amitsodha
March 25, 2010 at 11:56 am
Hey Jeremy,
Actually I’m inclined to agree with you. I believer there is a very simple absolute truth and that it is the bedrock upon which perception is built and changes according to our own version of it. I hope that makes sense!
Normal is just a cycle on the washing machine! and also in the eye of the beholder. What is right to me might be wrong to someone else, in which case how do you know if it is correct?! The point is…there are no rules! Rules and limits have been made up by millennia of civilisations/cultures only to be followed religiously by subsequent generations. ‘Live how you will but do not harm one another’…sounds good to me!
I’ve enjoyed reading this discussion, now in its fourth year.
I’d like to add a couple of my thoughts. First, I agree that our perceptions stem from our beliefs. As we challenge and change our beliefs, our perceptions also change. However, it is important to keep in mind what a belief is. A belief is something that we choose to accept as being true. But believing in something does not make it true even if everyone were to agree. On that basis, can one really say there reality? Is like the story of the six blind men and the elephant. For the sake of applying a label, I would agree with the comment that reality can be a form of a collective perception.
My second comment is that just as we need to distinguish between perceptions and reality we also should make a distintion between what is factual and what is true. Facts are the basis of what we know: what can be proven to be so. Truth however stands alone. It simply is. It cannot be proven nor disproven.
Twitter: amitsodha
June 18, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Hey Elliot, yep can you believe it’s been four years this has been up?
With regards to your first point. I agree. Even if mass and collective opinion have the same idea about something it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is truth. It makes it probable and likely but never reality.
When I talk about reality I’m talking relatively loosely. I’m talking more about opinions and the way we see things. Things like religion, war, political opinion, goals, vision and all of these more fluid concepts.
As for scientific fact and knowledge about atoms or the stars or planets. For example we can safely say that the sun is 90 million miles from the earth. That is fact and is accepted and is based on sound evidence and can easily be proved and replicated. A scientist saying there is no God, is only based on his or her beliefs.
Thanks for sharing.
Amit,
Thanks for your reply.
My understanding of my thought process and my perception of others’ thought processes is that somehow we respond the same to beliefs and to facts. As humans we go as far as waging wars for “right” causes because we can confuse what we believe with what we know. I am training myself to separate the two and as a result I find that I am relating in much better ways to everyone in my life.
There is reality and Reality. Reality is the constant of life. The things we cannot deny or change. reality (purposely lower case) is how our finite and feeble minds determine and explain the constant of life. This goes as far as fundemental beliefs.
Out of the blue, I could say the sky is green. Who are you to tell me differently? A human? So what? I’m a human, too. Your mind has no more power than mine does. I was raised thinking the sky was green. Just because you grew up mainstream and learned the sky was blue means that it is? Who even decided on that? It was just a way for humans to have a standard by which to communicate. But now it is your reality clashing against mine, neither one has the authority to completely destroy and then replace the other. It would take a deity greater than a human, such as God, to come down and officially sort out our realities. For all we know; the sky is pink or yellow or even 54. What we think basically doesn’t matter in the end, it just keeps us sane. But we can change it anytime we wish.
~Shademan