The Spectrum of Perception

According to Dr David R. Hawkins, we cannot experience reality directly. All we have is our perception of reality. This means, for all of us, that reality is perception. All our perceptions are different therefore all our realities are different. Many assume that the way they see the world is the same as their neighbour or friend, when in fact they are different experiences of the ‘same reality.’

We have seen how true this is over the last year or two with all the goings on in the world. In fact, perceptions of reality have been stretched and divided even more, recently. Here’s the thing that can be difficult for us to recognise or even see. We are all talking about the same thing but from completely different vantage points.

To understand this more clearly, let’s turn our attention to water. Yes water. Depending on environmental conditions, water can appear in so many ways. At one extreme, under very hot conditions we have steam. At the other end of the same spectrum under very cold conditions, we have ice. In the middle we have warm water.

All along this spectrum of temperature we are actually talking about the same thing… water. Water is our reality and the temperature conditions are like the conditions of our mind. Right now conditions are very hot, so there are a lot steamy perceptions of what is going on. We also have many whose psychological temperature is toward the middle.

In the middle (ie warm water), people’s psychology is perhaps grateful, appreciative, kind, patient and can see both ways. That is, they are aware of the steam and the ice. Those at the ice end of the perception spectrum have a different experience. They have a more ‘extreme’ mind temperature where they oppose on every level what the steamy end of the spectrum represents.

No matter where we find ourselves in this perception spectrum, we are all talking about the same thing. It’s all water. Personally, seeing everything as the same thing but just experienced differently by everyone, expands my behavioural and emotional flexibility.

Some thoughts I have which head toward the steamy end lead me to darkness. The ice end makes me feel disengaged and way too judgy. In the middle at warm water, a healthy appreciation is experienced. There is love and peace of mind in the middle. There is clarity on what matters and what does not matter so much.

There is only one conscious awareness (water), and its our choice how want to express it and experience it (temperature). Wherever we sit on this spectrum, we are all one seen as many. Thank you for reading, love Joe.