We don't see things as they are; we see them as we are
Everything we see and feel is filtered - censored sometimes - by our fears, our desires, our thinking and our conditioning. Even without the filters I must remember that I am reacting not to the real world but to an image formed in my mind. I stand much more chance of being in touch with reality when I am not saddled with baggage from the past or not worrying about what might happen in the future; I need to be awake to the present moment. Then I need to be aware of the filters, which I can develop by observing myself, watching my reactions, especially when I am excited by something or somebody.
This is especially true when I am feeling inferior or when I selfishly want something. Everything that happens - that I see or feel - seems to confirm my inferiority or my need.
Everything that exists in the filter in my mind is transitory, although it feels permanent and real. But it can be overcome. When we become aware of how we filter reality we can take action to avoid allowing the filter to click in - we can move to a considered response to a situation, rather than an impulsive reaction.
One example that always keeps me amused relates to a party to which I was invited. It was the husband of a friend who was celebrating and I had always experienced him as a crashing bore and hideously self-centred. Driving to his house, I was convinced I was in for a dreadful night. But I became aware of having these negative feelings and an idea came to me. At the party, I acted as if I didn't know the man and was meeting him for the first time. And I had a fresh experience of this warm, generous person - I had a great time. It's amusing because he is hideously self-centred - everybody has agreed on that - but I could transcend that opinion and meet him with fresh eyes.
Our minds, with its filters, creates labels for others and for us. We have to see past the labels and avoid becoming attached to what our mind tells us is important. Then we meet the world fresh and alive.
Often the mood that I am in will make a huge difference to how I see things. If I then act based on that perception I often find myself, half an hour later when my mood has changed, wondering what I have done and wishing I hadnt.
ReplyDelete@Nicky
ReplyDeleteMe too. But I can console myself that I see this happening today whereas before I was totally blind to it. And on good days, I can see it as it happens.