Deception of Perception; Shades of Gray

-Funny Photo Friday-

Please take a few moments and realize what’s going on with this picture, A & B, are truly the same color (shade of gray). Hard to believe? Sure it is. Our eyes and minds are simply being deceived into perceiving something that isn’t really there. Just as we go about our daily lives, we are perceiving a reality that isn’t really true; just as we perceive here two different shades of gray. And when we act on our perception, that is out of alignment with truth, it creates suffering.

What is suffering? Are you confused about its meaning? Here is an example, the difference between pain and suffering. When you hit your finger with a hammer, at that moment what you feel is pain. All the mental talk that comes after that, such as… I’m so stupid, I’m such an idiot, what’s wrong with me, etc etc etc; that’s suffering, what brings you to internal dis-ease, void of complete peace and acceptance for what is. It’s fun to pay attention to this dis-ease as well, especially when it comes to perceiving others.

We have learned and been conditioned to perceive life based not on what is (now), but on what was and what we think will be. And then we believe (strongly) that what we perceive, is the way it really is -and we respond accordingly. Like the hammer example, the mental statements after the pain is based not on what is, but based on patterns that you’ve developed; i.e. “I’m so stupid,” you can come to this conclusion by using references from the past. The truth is… you simply “missed your mark” and hit your finger; then it is gone, becoming the past which no longer exists anymore. Now, how many times can you remember from your past, that you perceived yourself as stupid, whether told to your self, or through the ridicule of others. See how the pattern might developed.

Don’t be so hard on yourself though, there is a world around you that operates this very way, the one you grew up in. The ones who fight to protect an idea, the ones who teach, the ones who entertain, and on and on and on. There is nothing wrong about it, it is simply how we have chosen to operate as a society. It is where we are as a species; it’s an evolution of who we are, there is no better or worse about it. Now, is it time for you to evolve and begin perceiving reality more in alignment with truth, or continue a perception based in yesterday or tomorrow. It doesn’t mean we don’t plan for a relative future, it can be practical to do so, but what window are you looking through when you plan.

There is nothing really mystical about it, this thing called life, it only seems mystical because we don’t understand it. And just because I say “it is this way,” doesn’t mean perceiving it from another way, or angle, doesn’t carry truth either. I’ll stop there. I hope within this PAW Daily, you will find something worth sharing.

Did you find genuine value within this post? If you did, then most likely you know someone else who will as well. I invite you to share the goodness!
Namaste -Tigmonk