Letting Go of The Reign of Perception.

In life, we only have one thing that we can hold onto in order to experience anything. That one thing is our perception. No human alive has direct access to reality itself (unless you are a mystic…in that case you wouldn’t be reading this!). We only have access to our perception of reality. Our perception is our interpretation of what we are seeing, hearing and feeling.

If this is so, how do we let go of the reign of perception? If we could, what would we have left? Do we want to let go of its reign? Why would we wan to let go of the reign of perception?  This all depends on how important it is for you to be or become emotionally fit. This also depends on how much you value peace and stillness. Being emotionally fit, means we can effectively navigate life’s guaranteed uncertainties. It doesn’t reduce how uncomfortable uncertainty can be, but it improves our capacity to see clearer and make wiser decisions.

The 3 layers of perception are:

1.Imagined truth.

This is the most superficial layer of truth that exists. At this layer the commentary in our heads is turned right up, so is the drama, the story, and the complete fabrication of interpretation of what is going on. For example, a friend does not respond to a text. We fabricate a story of how this friend doesn’t really care for us, this friend has a history of doing this, ‘I remember when….’, this leads to some kind of contempt and disregard for this friend and so on. Completely fabricated. We are living a psychological hell completely detached from reality itself at this level.

2.Assumed truth.

At this level we are still fabricating, and still dramatizing but nowhere near as much. The commentary and babble have reduced. If our friend has not responded to our text message, we may just simply say to ourselves, “my friend is really busy.” I can relate….and we let it go. There is no further interpretation.

At this level of truth, compassionate understanding is introduced. For example, I may remember a time when I didn’t respond to a text message, not because I didn’t want to but because I read it in the middle of doing something else. In my mind I have responded, but in all reality I forgot to respond. By connecting a reversing of roles, it opens the door to a more compassionate appreciation of perhaps why my friend has not responded.

3. Actual truth.

This level has no commentary, no story and no drama. It is a simple statement of fact. “My friend has not responded to my text.” That is all. No further interpretation or fantasy. At this level of perception, we can experience a sense of peace and stillness which ironically would make most people uncomfortable.

Because we have no story and zero fabrication in our mind, the fact that our friend has not responded carries no psychic luggage into the rest of our day. There is then more energy available for what ever else we choose to focus on in our day.

Here is something crucial to understand about these 3 layers of truth and how to loosen ourselves from the reign of perception.

In challenging real life situations, it is nearly impossible to access the actual truth layer. For example, if one of my sons has been out all day and has not responded to my test message, it would be extremely difficult for me to remain at the actual layer of truth. I would be wildly swinging between imagined and assumed truth.

That’s great Joe, so why teach us all this if it is so difficult to use? Well, I am glad you asked!!

Context matters. In other words, depending on the weight of the situation, the weightier the situation the more we will gravitate toward imagined layer of truth. HOWEVER, for everyday situations, these layers of perception are incredibly important! This is because we have no vested interest in most of our everyday experiences. For example, watching a child misbehave in the train whilst we sit there as a passenger, we are empowered to choose at which layer of perception we choose to live. We have no investment in any outcome.

I was once told the story of a man traveling by train, was being really annoyed by the loud and rude behaviour of a child, while the child’s father just seemingly sat there watching and not intervening. During his entire short suburban trip, the man observing was living at the imagined level of truth, completely judging the father of the child and how ridiculous this all was.

In his mind he was playing out all these stories which were completely fabricated, which in turn contributed to him having a stressful journey.

As soon as they disembarked, at the same station, the father of the child turned to him and apologised for his child’s behaviour. He shared that the child’s mother had died only the day before and his child does not know how to respond.

In a heart beat the man’s level of perception shifted from the superficial layers of imagined truth and instantly deepened into the actual truth level. A level which genuinely has no judgement. Just compassionate appreciation and love.

Thank you for reading, love Joe.  

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