Perception Is Everything, But …©
Last month’s newsletter (“Do You Really Understand?”) examined the clichéd truism, “Your Thoughts Create Your Reality.” In the section labeled “Thinking vs. Understanding,” I noted that every single bit of your life experience is based on human perception and the data-driven “fact” that human beings are not rationally logical, but psycho-logical! Boy, did I get some interesting feedback on that one!
But think about it: what you regard as “fact” (even “facts” based on scientific research) is simply your truth. It may be agreed to or even validated by others, but that is only because “their truth” is just as conditioned as your own—especially when it is grounded in your own direct experience! Thus, a lot of this “agreement” really boils down to social conditioning.
Most people perceive the Earth as a perfect, round ball, ignoring scientific facts that it is actually slightly egg-shaped, bulging at the equator. Meanwhile, flat-earthers are just as sincerely convinced the world is flat based on their own daily experience. Hence, Perception Is Everything, But … their perspectives are different. Despite looking at the exact same planet, both groups live their lives according to entirely different realities. This shows that perspective (the underlying mindset) acts as the cause, which completely dictates their thoughts (beliefs) and subsequently their perceptions (what they believe to be true). As we shall see, this has profound spiritual and secular implications both for individuals and for societies, as well as for the sheer complexity of human relationships on this “third rock from the sun.”
Let’s consider another difference in perceptions regarding a contemporary topic: Politics. On both sides of any political aisle, you can find people with strong perceptions regarding “them” versus “us.” Often there is a tendency to demonize the “other” side in almost every respect. It is so easy to get people to coalesce around their common perceptions “against” anything related to the opposition. That is why egotistic power mongers can so easily persuade the masses to do inconceivable things. Just look at the history of the Third Reich, the Crusades, the “Indian Wars” in the United States, and so many more. History is full of examples of often horrendous human behaviors, especially when carried out “in the name of God”! Why? Simple. Differences are the fuel of organizational and personal conflict (“problems”), rather than seeking to understand similarities and common interests as a basis for solutions.
It doesn’t matter the nature of the issues or the relationships whether we are talking about climate change, war, religion, employers or employees, friends, family members—any kind of relationship. Differences in Perceptions are not only likely, they are also inevitably viewed as a “problem”. And as long as everyone is focused on the problem, very little progress is likely to be made toward finding solutions. Perception Is Everything, But … Perspective (the cause) actually determines perceptions (effects). So, “Your thoughts (problem perceptions) create your reality,” and your thoughts are generally based on your perspective alone. “Do You Really Understand?”
So, just what does Perspective entail? One way to look at it is broad (or open)-mindedness vs. narrow (or closed)-mindedness. At its core, the difference comes down to cognitive flexibility—how willing and able a person is to entertain new ideas, look past their own biases, and accept perspectives that differ from their own. It is the difference between a growth perspective and a protective perspective.
In essence, broad-minded individuals view the world as an ever-expanding canvas, acknowledging that their personal experience is only a tiny fraction of human reality. It involves:
• Active Listening: Listening to comprehend, not just to reply.
• Adaptability: A willingness to change when presented with compelling evidence or a more resonant truth.
• An Empathy-Driven Mindset: Easily stepping into someone else’s shoes, including them and appreciating their diversity.
Conversely, narrow-mindedness tends to emphasize safety, predictability, and control. New ideas can feel threatening because they challenge the very framework a person has built their identity upon. This is generally characterized by:
• Confirmation Bias: Seeking out information that validates what is already believed while discarding or ignoring contradictory opinions or evidence.
• Judgment over Curiosity: Immediately labeling differences in lifestyle, culture, or opinion as “weird,” “wrong,” or “lesser than.”
• Ego-Centrism: Focusing on defending a stance rather than discovering an objective (or at least a workable) truth.
So, how does all of this fit into spirituality? Maitreya (channeled by Margaret McElroy) frequently spoke and wrote about judgment, indicating that this is one of the hardest life lessons we are here to learn. It is arguably one of the most important lessons as well because judgement automatically prevents the free flow of our life energies toward respect, compassion, unconditional love—all components of Alignment with Higher Self. For example:
• “For many souls, the Earth plane and its purpose—that of learning lessons and moving out of old energy—is a very hard place to be in. In fact, for many souls, the Earth plane is Hell. On top of that, it is a place where they have to do battle with the ‘Devil’ or ‘Satan’ which is the [Lower] Self. The [Lower] Self plays the role of creating fear, which for many, stops them from moving forward and learning what they need to. Each soul on the Earth plane is … living out the life plan that they created before birth. To some, the Earth plane is a place of trial and tribulation. For others, the Earth plane is a place of beauty and amazement. Hence, a person’s perspective depends on the soul’s level of development. As you battle the [Lower] Self, you move up in vibration. Then you become aware of the Higher Self, and this energy can then assist in controlling the [Lower] Self and bringing in the higher energies. The Higher Self is pure love, and is connected to God; all souls are a part of this energy.” ~ Maitreya (Wisdom Card #65)
• “Until each soul can learn respect for others—whether it be for their belief, their partner, or the color of their skin—humanity will not have peace in the world. … Just because you choose to believe something different does not mean that you cannot get along with each other. If you do, you will just have respect for their differing opinions.” ~ Maitreya (Newsletter #296)
• “A spiritual person has no judgment, does not blame others for their problems, has no hate in their heart, and does not have to justify themselves to anyone.” ~ Maitreya (Newsletter #246)
• “It is the [Lower] Self who judges. … The Higher Self would never do this because the Higher Self is connected to the Supreme Being, or God. It knows that all men have their own path and their own reasons for doing things.” ~ Maitreya (Newsletter #271)
So, you see, Perspective changes our thoughts which create our perceptions. Thus, our thoughts create our reality, and that is a spiritual choice for each of us moment-by-moment each and every day.
If you are a regular reader of this newsletter, you know that I am an advocate of Conscious Living, the process of becoming the Master of your life rather than being mastered by life. Yes, “Perception Is Everything, But …”, I believe that Conscious Living has Perspective written all over it. It is an excellent way systematically to begin changing our Perspective, our thoughts, and ultimately our reality, the quality of our daily life experience.
Have a great month!
Dennis
www.DennisDossett.com
