We are designed to depend on external energy: Air, water, and food are essential, and temperatures are conducive to life. It makes rational sense then that the more we understand the realities of our existence, the better equipped we will be. With all that’s happening today regarding what’s real and what’s not, as we’re increasingly subjected to alternative facts, media programming, conspiracy theories, influencers, virtual reality, the metaverse, and so on, understanding our realities is more important than ever.

So, what do we mean by reality? Can we know for sure what’s real and what’s not? Can we create our reality as many philosophies and spiritual belief systems teach us?

Consider this: every one of us has a different perception of reality because our reality is the product of individual interpretation dependent upon different things. Firstly, our belief systems include cultural norms, technology access, societal protocols, religious doctrine, spiritual beliefs, and so on. For example, some of us believe that everything in our universe happens for a reason, and others believe the universe is a chaotic game of chance.

Then there’s the information we gather from our sense perceptions that constantly interpret our reality, such as how we see, hear, smell, taste, touch, and intuition. For someone like me, who grew up on a dairy farm, the smell of freshly mown grass is exquisite, but for many, it means the misery of a streaming nose.

And finally, there’s the language we use to interpret our reality. Sanskrit has ninety-six words for love, ancient Persian has eighty, Greek has three, and English has only one. This can tell us a great deal about our priorities as English speakers when it comes to expressing our feelings, and how we express our feelings (or not) creates a particular perceived reality that may conform to societal customs but may not be the actual reality. 

Much of the conflict in the world arises from the fact that we are the only species with the thought, and at times capability, of trying to impose our will on the world. When we consider that our design for the world is based on our reality, this, by its very nature, comes with enormous responsibility. Conflict ensues when we impose our version of reality on someone or something else that has its version of reality. Force will then be required to achieve what we want, and even more, will be needed to enforce it.

We should analyze our perception of reality to contribute to a more peaceful and compassionate world. We need to look closely at how we experience the world. Examine why things appear to us as they do, what we project onto what we see and why, and be aware of when we use force to impose our reality on others. 

To help with this endeavor, it will be helpful to distinguish between the fabricated reality we impose, the reality we can be sure of, and the acceptance of what we cannot understand. In the words of Aldous Huxley, “There are things known, and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” Man has, of course, endlessly debated this vast subject, but there are some universal truths we can be sure of. Life is mysterious: No one has all the answers. The present is all we have. Every life matters. Change is inevitable; Force always fails. Kindness feels better than unkindness: We are all connected. To survive and thrive, then, let’s make sure that whatever our beliefs and perceptions, we’re keeping them real so we can work together for a healthier, happier future for ourselves, one another, and our planet.