Reality | ||
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What is reality?
Often there are posts in social media such as Facebook where people say
things such as "My reality". This is an odd statement. "My
perspective" might be more accurate.
Taoism and Zen are not 'philosophical'. Schrödinger's
cat and other examples are seen as being sophistry.
'Reality' is defined as "the state of things as they
actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them."
Reality is simply the truth of what exists. Right in front of us.
Really real
'Real' is defined as "actually
existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed."
Reality refers to fact. Tangible,
provable, tactile evidence. If we cannot touch it, hear it, taste it, smell
it or see it, we don't speculate.
Perception
Everyone perceives reality subjectively.
The degree of attention they have, how
aware they are, how much they
listen, memories,
education, bias,
influences, opinions and agenda all affect how and what
they see.
But only to a point.
And this is the important part...
I like reality. It tastes of bread.
(Jean Aouilh)
Te
A chair is a chair. An exercise mat is an exercise mat. A dog is a dog. A
man is a man. A woman is a woman. A child is a child. A house is a house. A
car is a car. An apple is an apple.
It doesn't matter what language you speak, or whether you think in terms of
your reality/my reality (or whatever) - rain will always be wet.
Night will follow day.
There is much that exists that is not about fashion, point of view or
opinion. Hungry is hungry. Tired is tired.
The science of the
essence
It is quite easy to become a Taoist...
Nothing is really required of you. There's no special costume to wear, no
pendant, no haircut, tattoo or holy book to read. There are no services to
attend.
No rituals. No beliefs.
No money to give. No code of conduct. No dogma. In
simple terms, Taoism is not what most people would call a religion. Nor is
Zen (in contrast with Zen
Buddhism).
The science of the essence is all about waking
up. Seeing what is right in front of you. And learning from what is really
taking place.
Hey, that's it... Tai chi is one outcome of doing just that.
Language
Admitting the limitations of thought and language is a principle theme in Taoism
and Zen.
Nothing is more immediate than the actual.
The word for car is not a car, and if you eat a menu it will not taste like the
food it describes. Krishnamurti explored this same topic extensively in his teachings.
Clarity
Taoism and Zen are about seeing things as they really are.
Seeing what is right in front of you.
To accomplish this you need to clear your mind.
Adding clutter such as a special new name, a costume, a special place to
meditate etc will not help you to accomplish this.
In fact, the more you add, the further away you get from reality.
It is about paring away the things that occlude reality, not substituting one
thing for another.
Your reality?
The problem with thinking of reality as being your own
is that it is fundamentally unsound. If somebody
punches you in the face, you cannot turn their
hand into a bunch of flowers.
Rain will continue to make you wet and snow will be cold. You can get run
over by a car. You can get sick and you
can die.
Thinking of 'reality' as being an entirely
subjective experience is delusional.
Is-ness
Reality is. Whether you like it or not. If you
snooze in your bed all day long the rest of the world will continue to
move around you. Nothing will stop. Time won't stand still.
Implicating yourself as being the centre of reality is madness. You
are not the core of the universe. You are the central figure in your life,
your story. But that is all.
Everyone is unique. This is true. But we don't get to have our own reality.
Just our own perception of reality and only to a point.
Try out your reality?
If you want concrete proof of 'your own reality', why not put
it to the test? Next time you're at the supermarket explain to the
checkout assistant how in your reality you don't have to pay.
You'll find out how tangible the Police are and how real a jail cell is. Try
it when driving your car or not paying your utility bills. Test it on your
health.
If you have your own reality, then the medically proven facts that affect
everyone else won't matter to you. Drink, drugs, fatty food... You must be
immune to their effects.
Don't let reality stop you! After all, 'your own reality' is real,
isn't it?
Page created
18 April 2005
Last updated
04 May 2023
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