Objective Meditations: What is Reality?
Is reality a projection from within the mind, or is it an
"altered lens" into the outside world? Let's look at the altered
lens theory first. Obviously, we are not all looking at the
world with the same lens or viewpoint. If that were possible,
and we had a consistent moral code of ethics, we would have
world peace.
Imagine no wars, conflict, divorce, or crime. It does make you
think that John Lennon might have been thousands of years ahead
of his time, when he wrote the lyrics for his song, "Imagine."
Although, we may not agree with every word, the thought of
global harmony captivates the mind.
Is this a reality? At this moment in time, it doesn't look
possible. Peace agreements seem so close, and then, an
assassination, or a suicide bomb, changes everything. Why is
this world not ready for a Mahatma Gandhi, Anwar Sadat, or
Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Do we, as a species, need to grow, and mature a little more, or
can we make small changes in this world now? You can make small
changes by bringing out the inner calm you have developed
through meditation practice. If you are still not sure how to
proceed, demonstrating acts of kindness to everyone you meet,
will do.
At the very least, following the Golden Rule is good for you,
and everyone you come into contact with. Remember, "Do unto
others as you would have them do to you". - Luke 6:31. This
action will bring your lens into focus. On the other hand, a
projection is a creation from within the mind's eye. This, in
turn, gets impressions by receiving images from outside the
body, and judges everything.
This classification, and judgment, creates a biased frame of
mind that reacts to a world created by the same mind. The
problem is - these judgments solidify into concrete beliefs,
resulting in a reality of pre-conceived notions. I refer to this
as, The Cycle of Judgment Theory, and hope that you clearly
understand the cycle.
The result of the cycle of judgment is dangerous, as there is no
room for objective viewpoints. Everything is classified as black
or white, and there is no room for a "gray area." This
particular viewpoint, with concrete beliefs, has no room for
change and will not negotiate.
So both realities exist - creating more realities with potential
opposites. This explains why we see people justify atrocities.
Whenever you meditate, and are able to find objective viewpoints
that are good for your mental health, always beware of
judgmental people who have no ability to reason or open their
mind.