what is reality?
Chapter 3
Image via Pixabay
Reality is difficult to define. For most people, it refers to a common agreement of what exists outside of our perception. The couch I am sitting on is real. Weather is real, one does not deny if it is raining or snowing outside. War is real, poverty is real, illness is real. The food we eat is real. Or are they?
The science of quantum mechanics had led to the discovery that there is nothing we can describe as “reality.” I first learned about quantum physics in a physics class I took in college in the 1970s. I won't claim to understand it. Notable physicists themselves sometimes state that if you claim to understand quantum theory, you don't understand it at all. I remember thinking at the time that finally science and spirituality are coming together.
Yet the discussions and questions about reality go on. Quantum physics is a physical science dealing with the behavior of matter and energy on the scale of atoms and subatomic particle/waves. There are hours and hours of videos on You-tube explaining the discovery of quantum physics and the nature of reality. Trust me, I've watched a lot of them. I will save you a lot of time and just share this one video on reality vs illusion.
The science of quantum mechanics had led to the discovery that there is nothing we can describe as “reality.” I first learned about quantum physics in a physics class I took in college in the 1970s. I won't claim to understand it. Notable physicists themselves sometimes state that if you claim to understand quantum theory, you don't understand it at all. I remember thinking at the time that finally science and spirituality are coming together.
Yet the discussions and questions about reality go on. Quantum physics is a physical science dealing with the behavior of matter and energy on the scale of atoms and subatomic particle/waves. There are hours and hours of videos on You-tube explaining the discovery of quantum physics and the nature of reality. Trust me, I've watched a lot of them. I will save you a lot of time and just share this one video on reality vs illusion.
So, to sum up, quantum physics tells us that reality is an illusion. This is mind boggling, but again, mystics and spiritual teachers have been saying this for centuries."What quantum physics teaches us is that everything we thought was physical is not physical." Bruce H. Lipton, PhD
“There is no reality except the one contained within us. That is why so many people live such an unreal life. They take the images outside of them for reality and never allow the world within to assert itself.”
Hermann Hesse, Steppenwolf (ad)
There is no spoon poster - ad
Many people have watched the movie The Matrix, which is a mind-blowing film where the plot depicts a world that is a simulation run by robots. It revolves around a group led by Morpheus, who has awakened from “the matrix,” or the dreamlike world, and seeks to find a hero which he names as "The One." "The One" concept is a prophecy about a person who will eventually save the human race. He believes that Neo is "The One" and begins training him to understand the illusion that is the matrix.
In the article named “‘The Matrix’ Trilogy’s Inspirations From Hindu Mythology, Explained,” author Amal Singh explores several parallels that exist between the film and the Hindu mythology. The concept of the matrix is close to the Hindu belief that the world is Maya, or illusion.
One of my favorite scenes in the first movie of the series is when Neo goes to visit the Oracle, who lives within the matrix. While he is there, he becomes fascinated by a boy who is bending a spoon with his mind.
The boy tells Neo, “Do not try and bend the spoon, that’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth… there is no spoon. Then you’ll see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.”
In the article named “‘The Matrix’ Trilogy’s Inspirations From Hindu Mythology, Explained,” author Amal Singh explores several parallels that exist between the film and the Hindu mythology. The concept of the matrix is close to the Hindu belief that the world is Maya, or illusion.
One of my favorite scenes in the first movie of the series is when Neo goes to visit the Oracle, who lives within the matrix. While he is there, he becomes fascinated by a boy who is bending a spoon with his mind.
The boy tells Neo, “Do not try and bend the spoon, that’s impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth… there is no spoon. Then you’ll see that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.”
“Once you realize that the world is your own projection, you are free of it. You need not free yourself of a world that does not exist, except in your own imagination! However is the picture, beautiful or ugly, you are painting it and you are not bound by it. Realize that there is nobody to force it on you, that it is due to the habit of taking the imaginary to be real. See the imaginary as imaginary and be free of fear.” Nisargadatta Maharaj, Hindu spiritual teacher and self-realized master. From the book I am that. (ad)
I bought this poster for my bedroom. It is as beautiful as the image portrays. - ad
Image via Pixabay
“The one reality is spirit, and the surface of life is only a disguise with a thousand masks that keeps us from discovering what is real. A thousand years ago, such a statement would have met with no argument. Spirit was accepted everywhere as the true source of life. Today, we have to look with new eyes at the mystery of existence, for as proud children of science and reason, we have made ourselves the orphans of wisdom. “ Deepak Chopra, The Book of Secrets (ad)
So now that we have discussed what is reality, let's move on to the Chapter 4: Good and Evil
Previous Chapter
So now that we have discussed what is reality, let's move on to the Chapter 4: Good and Evil
Previous Chapter