The Illusion of Perception

You are currently reading this article using multiple faculties, some being your eyes to see and your logic/reasoning to make sense of the writing. 

As humans, we have developed an incredible ability to think and we have also evolved with pretty good eyesight. In fact, the reason we are on top of the food chain is due to our phenomenal mental capabilities compared to other creatures.

However, have you ever wondered if our mental capabilities, especially our senses, have their shortcomings? If they have any weaknesses?

It is very easy to go about your day accepting reality at face value, never seeking to lift the veil that is perfectly placed in front of your eyes. In fact, it would take far too much energy to constantly be second-guessing everything you encounter, it is in our nature to accept things at surface level. Unfortunately, this can be used against us and frequently it is. Sometimes others use it against us, sometimes we use it against ourselves without even realising it via our ignorance.

What Is Perception?

First of all it is important to gain an insight into what perception actually is. Perception can be understood as 'the organisation, identification, and interpretation of sensory information in order to represent and understand the presented information or environment.'

So, essentially, our perception is our way of viewing reality. How we perceive something is how we see something. We use a combination our senses and our thinking to make up our 'perception'.

The Veil

Our perception is limited. We can only see what's in front of us and we can only see what we know. This is an evolutionary tactic to help us deal with what's in front of us to our best ability. Unfortunately, as we've become more 'civilised', we have forgotten to question reality and have become far too comfortable with accepting it as it is.

We can say that what is true is real, that truth is reality. So then, where do we get our truth from? The masses receive their truth mainly (if not only) from external sources; the media, their peers, their family, the government, etc. Ideas are simply swapped around like a currency.

While this isn't entirely a bad thing as we need to learn how to fit into the society we exist in and operate functionally, if we become overextended into investing all of our awareness into external sources, we will start to lose touch of our own sense of reality.

The ideas that we receive from the external world can be deemed as 'the veil'. They should be understood as 'half-truths', while they have some truth to them they also carry some falsity.

It is your task as a student of metaphysics to search for truth. You are looking for what is real and getting rid of what isn't.

Therefore, you must strengthen your awareness to develop the ability of holding but not accepting external ideologies. 

Allow me to explain...

Usually when we are emotional we have very little trouble accepting what is in front of us as reality. For example, if somebody insults you and it hurts your feelings, you will probably accept it as reality and see it as 'truth'. You probably don't take the time to play around with the idea and find out whether it is actually true or not. Your emotions have taken over and they are telling you what is true.

We must transcend this. Our irrational awareness, our lower self, our ego is what keeps us trapped in a state of delusion. We must cultivate the ability to allow ideas into our minds, but to examine them thoroughly before we deem them as truth.

The powerful few know human nature and metaphysical knowledge better than anyone else and they use this against the masses, this is what makes them so powerful.

Most of what you have been taught is ideological information for the sake of extracting a use out of you. You are literally 'farmed' from a young age. Society accepts you as a student and then as an employee, you are another cog in the wheel. Some are okay with this, but others have an itching sense to figure out what it is that is actually going on. That is why you're here, because you want to lift the veil and go deeper into what reality actually is.

Your goal is then simple. You must strengthen your awareness, develop an ability to juggle with ideas, and finally you must learn from within, to use your intuition as guidance to what is fact and what is fiction. 

Homework

The principle is that we accept ideas as truth resulting in reality. However, most of us do not create our own ideas but accept those forced upon us by external forces, so we must seek to lift the veil and dive deeper, to question reality itself.

Your task is threefold:

- First you should be meditating twice, daily, for a period of 15 minutes minimum. Build up your awareness and raise your consciousness, this is necessary for higher-level perception and thought.

- Second, you must study the ideologies that are being enforced upon the masses by external powers (eg. the media). 

- Third, you must study your own belief systems and question whether you have accepted your norms/beliefs because they are based in fact or because you were merely taught to accept them. (eg. self-limiting beliefs such as 'beggars can't be choosers').

It will take time for you fully grasp all metaphysical teachings, our learning unfolds as our consciousness develops. So be patient, there is no need to rush, make sure you are understanding key laws and using this knowledge to make sense of the reality you exist in.

If 15 min meditation is too much for you, then it is imperative you get practicing and strengthening your ability to meditate for extended periods of time asap. The goal is to strengthen your awareness and develop higher level thinking.

Have a blessed day, family 👑