How Our Mind Shapes the Perception of Reality

Our perception of reality is a fascinating interplay between our minds and the experiences we encounter. This article delves into the intricate relationship between our thoughts, memories, and the universe around us. We will explore how the mind, consciousness, and perception are interconnected in a manner that challenges our understanding of self and reality.

Understanding the Mind and Consciousness

When we speak of the mind, we refer to a collection of thoughts and mental processes that are beyond the five senses. Consciousness, thought, and memory are all manifestations of the mind, yet they cannot be directly perceived through our senses. However, they are intimately familiar and evident—their existence is self-evident.

Consciousness is the observer of thought and memory. Hence, it must be subtler than either thought or memory. It is precisely because consciousness is aware of thought and memory that we can refer to its awareness of these phenomena as a form of perception, even though it does not rely on our sensory organs.

Consciousness is an all-encompassing awareness that is self-luminous and self-evident. It is not perceivable but is always present. It is the foundation upon which thought and memory exist and is the overarching awareness that observes them. Being consciousness means knowing oneself and is a knowing-being self-luminous reality.

Thought and Memory: Subtle Objects

Thought and memory are objects, although they are much more subtle than material objects. It is very difficult, if not impossible, for any human to deny the existence and reality of these mental phenomena. These are evident through personal experiences and cannot be dismissed easily.

Thought is the recall function of memory, and memory is the recorded experience from which thought arises. The two are fundamentally the same reality, though often perceived as separate entities. The notion that thought arises from memory suggests that they are interconnected and share a common source.

The Spectrum of Mind and Matter

Matter, on the other hand, is composed of subatomic particles and is often perceived as a flickering wave of energy. This suggests a profound connection between mind and matter, where they are extremities of the same spectrum. Thought is the subtlest end, while matter is the grossest end.

We can observe the interaction between thought and matter in everyday life. For example, consuming alcohol can affect thought, demonstrating that matter (alcohol) influences mind (thought). Similarly, thought can influence matter, as all bodily movements originate from thought.

The Universes of Perception

It is intriguing to consider that the vast, visible universe might be a manifestation of a grand, subtle thought form. This is supported by the experience of dreaming, where a different universe is perceived, albeit a more subtle one, that does not exist in the conventional sense. While in deep sleep, there is no time, space, or universe; only stillness, silence, and a profound sense of peace.

Thus, the visible universe could be a thought form in the state of wakefulness. However, without a subject (consciousness) to observe it, the universe would not exist as an object in its own right. This concept challenges our traditional understanding of self and reality, inviting us to explore the nature of consciousness and perception in greater depth.