Illusions or Reality?
Posted in Things I Don't Understand on September 10th, 2007 by JennyI have found myself surrounded by heady discussions on topics such as quantum physics, the debate between subjective and objective reality, the law of attraction, whether people have souls, does God exist and such. There is so much to know that it is easy to get overwhelmed. Do I need to be open to every idea I am exposed to? Should I be willing to challenge every single bit of my life? If so, how do I (or you) go about doing this without just creating a gigantic mess? If not, there are important decisions to be made.
Most problematic for me has been trying to figure out how to prioritize all of the questions I want answers to without getting lost in a fun-house of illusions. Am I best served by trying to embrace and deeply understand one idea at a time or by comparing several collectively? Sometimes this seems self-explanatory, while other times the choice does not seem quite as clear.
Several questions have remained somewhat problematic for me:
- How do I prioritize what I want or need to learn?
- How can I determine ahead of time what knowledge is foundational?
- If I decide not to learn, what will happen, and does it really matter in the grand scheme of life?
- What is beyond my capacity to understand and therefore not worth the effort?
- At what point do I have to accept things on faith?
There are many approaches to learning as I explore different ideas and beliefs, including deciding not wanting to know more or just accepting information deemed sound (and in all practicality, this acceptance is essential to some degree for all kinds of knowledge). There are also many tools to choose from when examining the questions that interest me. Some of these approaches are better than others, particularly depending upon what kind of knowledge I am looking for. The better I understand the implications of each of these tools the more accurate the answers to my questions will be - or at least I hope so!
Some Methods of Learning and Observing:
- Observation of self, others and environment
- Scientific process
- Critical thinking
- Personal experience
- Spiritual revelation
- Intuition
- Books, articles or lectures
Some of these tools are at times at odds with one another. So do people even really try to find the answer or do you just pick the one that fits best? I hate to admit this but there’s been times in my past that I’ve chosen to accept knowledge because it sounded really good, it had much mystery attached to it and, well this is particularly embarrassing to acknowledge, but because no one could really prove it wrong…
Lately I have realized if you want a truly mind-altering experience, it can be found by exploring things for which some answers do exist and where there are methods to verify your learning. These things aren’t any less mystical, such as attempting to understand the science behind meditation, or to examine sacred geography though maps of the earth’s gravitational fields, or even to ponder what is known about the relationship between the body, the brain and the mind. Objective facts about these things do not change the overwhelming nature of such knowledge nor do the current facts take away much of the mystery, plenty still remains.
Related Posts:
Keeping Perspective When You’ve Bitten Off More Than You Can Chew
Understanding Religion and Spirituality
Picking Sides: Science or Spirituality
What is a Myth?
September 10th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Let’s say the abilities each of us are aware of are only the beginning. How we choose to create a sense of understanding results from an innate need for a specific answer.
What if no rules really exist? What if we invent it all? If you choose to convince yourself its vital to distinguish among things, then you’ll judge. You will decide what’s right or wrong and discern illusion from reality. At every level of selectivity, you are rejecting something. Since your actions project your feelings, beneath it all, you may be rejecting part of yourself.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:43 am
Generally, you prioritize what you want to learn by:
1. What seems most useful to learn
2. What seems most necessary to learn
3. What seems most time-sensitive to learn
4. What seems most interesting to learn
Obviously those values change as you go along, and especially as you DO learn more. You may find something is no longer useful, or no longer interesting, or you may find a whole new thing which is both useful AND interesting.
As far as ways of learning new ideas, you left out one of the most useful, at least to me: information synthesis. Information synthesis is linking together things you already know in new ways. It is how most invention/innovation is done… you take a look at two pieces of information and connect them in a way no one else has, and it comes up with a new and useful piece of information.
For me, I tend to try to stay open to learning in any field, from any person. There are specific things I want to learn, but I know require more time investment than I am willing to make right now… but I still keep them in mind, and try to pick up whatever pieces I can, because that will make it easier in the future when I do start investing more time.
I am also open to challenging, as you say, (almost) any bit of my life. That does not, however, mean that I’m flip-flopping all over the place. Being OPEN to having your beliefs challenged is a much different thing than those beliefs being unanchored and changing with whatever the last person you talked to said to you. If you can provide me solid enough information and evidence, I will change nearly any aspect of my beliefs… there are a few exceptions, mostly having to do with my marriage and my family. I also believe in God, though most likely not in the same way as the vast majority… I have changed, in the past, exactly what I believe about God, but I have never lost the belief that God is there.
So anyway, there’s another one of my ridiculously long responses to one of your fine articles… hope you enjoy it.
September 10th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
one of the things I find most vexing about contemporary American society is the compulsion many people feel to have opinions (or beliefs) just for the sake of having them. it seems obvious that people should and inevitably will have opinions about questions relevant to their lives; it’s less clear that people should feel compelled to have opinions on issues they don’t deal with.
for most of my life I was very religious. over time I came to see that believing or not believing in a god didn’t affect the world I live in in any material way. as I came to that realization, it became more and more clear that the question of whether or not there was a god, or which god was the real one, was simply not very important to me.
don’t be afraid to not have opinions on irrelevant subjects, or even to not care about them.
September 10th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
I believe that by just being a part of “Priscilla Palmer’s Personal Development list” obligates each of us to also post this list. You like me (Killeris at “Attitude, the Ultimate Power”) are on this list. If you have already posted it, THANK YOU. If you have not posted it, I am officially putting out a challenge that you add additional sites that fit the theme and post it. This is my opinion only. If you disagree I respectfully understand. If you do agree with me this list can be found at: http://mondaymorningpower.blogspot.com/2007/09/personal-development-list-challenge.html
September 10th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Well said Jenni
I learn most effectively when I learn for the sheer enjoyment of learning. Therefore I prioritise my learning by what seems most interesting. And when something becomes necessary to learn, I try to make doing so interesting and/or enjoyable (hence a couple of posts on social networks while doing research which is largely uninteresting).
And I agree with Jason, information synthesis is a critical part of learning which I don’t believe had anywhere near enough focus during my schooling. Btw if you folks haven’t read it yet, check out Scott’s eBook.
Thankfully the book I recently bought on writing in psychology started by detailing the most important elements of learning and presenting knowledge, which included a distinction between simple facts, and the ideas which combine and elaborate on those facts. It pointed out that an author’s intent should not be to present facts, but to present ideas. The facts are there simply to validate the ideas, but the ideas are the important part. Secondly the presentation of those ideas is critical in effectively presenting knowledge. Ideas are useless if they can’t be understood (unless you’re a genius who can make full use of your ideas on your own). It’s when understanding is enabled that ideas turn into knowledge.
Liara: Every choice involves rejection. The act of choosing one option necessarily involves *not* choosing others. Therefore rejection is an inevitable part of existence. But yes, it is possible to make your choice in a way, or with an attitude, that doesn’t necessarily reject part of yourself.
September 10th, 2007 at 11:04 pm
Jenny,
A great post! First it is important to know what it is you don’t know. Sounds like a goofy statement, but I am continually amazed by people who think they know it all but are completely unaware of the blank spots in their collective knowledge.
Secondly, you need to begin with the end in mind. What is it you ultimately want to know and be proficient at. Then working backwards you will determine what is foundational and the logical starting point.
Benjamin Franklin used to decide on a list of virtues that he wanted to add to his daily life. He would then just focus on one item until it was part of his personality or the daily fabric of his life.
When all else fails…just identify the topic that seems the coolest and most fun. Because if it excites you, then you will attack it with enthusiasm and persistence. After all learning should be fun.
Thanks for the Edison quote, it was right on the mark.
Steve
September 11th, 2007 at 10:03 am
Jeff, anything you believe, regardless of what it is, affects the material world around you, because it affects your actions and reactions. Your belief in God, or even your belief that God is unimportant to you, affects the world around you.
If you believe in God, you will react differently to the same stimuli than if you do not. Amazing Grace can move people to tears if they believe, which can result in internal changes, affecting who you are internally and externally, which may affect another person, who affects another, etc.
The same thing is true of belief in your country (patriotism), your sports team, vegetarianism, the Atkins diet, or even that blue is the best color, though that one is unlikely to have quite as strong an impact… deeper beliefs have more power.
What I am saying is that your beliefs affect the world around you even if what you believe is completely untrue or unprovable.
September 11th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Liara-
Thanks for your comments. Both E and I value them. Hmmm, I wonder when you write about the abilities we are aware of being only the beginning if it still wouldn’t make sense to work on coming as close to full mastery of them as possible? If I maintain an attitude of openness to learning of all sorts this shouldn’t harm other as yet either unrecognized or underdeveloped abilities should it?
In this way if I began to develop new abilities I could more easily synthesize (thanks Jason!) them to my current knowledge. I feel as if that is what I’m currently doing at the moment…taking a lifetime of thinking in primarily one pattern and exploring a new way to view the world and it is adding rich dimensions to my thinking (and feelings) that probably wouldn’t be possible if I hadn’t also embraced my previous ways of viewing knowledge.
Or am I missing the point you are trying to make?
Jeff-
Thanks for commenting! I guess I’d have to agree that searching for opinions just for the sake of having opinions (and loudly arguing said opinions) seems kind of silly. That said, I care much about knowledge, not so much about opinions.
Point taken when you note that not everything needs to be considered or cared about.
September 11th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Hi Jason!
I like your system of prioritization. Awww, I can’t believe I missed information synthesis! Do you think it’s tacky to just edit the document and stick it in there? I like your distinction between being open to challenging aspects of your life and flip-flopping. Speak more about what you mean when you say “different thing than those beliefs being unanchored…” if you don’t mind.
I love your responses (and believe I am long overdue with one on that grief post for which I do have a response)! Write as much as you want as I usually see things slightly differently and or have to think much deeper after reading them through.
Good stuff.
Monsieur Lapierre-
Ha, ha…you are absolutely incorrigible! Makes me giggle though…now just to figure out why you continue along this rather dangerous path after the consequences were so clearly explained.
Funny that you should write about the book you are reading that details “the most important elements of learning and presenting knowledge” as I was just doing some reading yesterday that dovetails this rather nicely. Peter Suber a former philosophy professor at Earlham College and author wrote about how to take notes on difficult books and much of his focus is on a thoughtful reading of an author’s conclusions and their arguments for such conclusions. He says that in philosophy (and I would expand to all knowledge) that conclusions should be considered only in relation to how well they are supported. Further he says “…your understanding of the book is vastly truncated if you only know its conclusions”. A very strong position on much more active reading than I’ve tended to do. And I’d imagine essential to truly knowing and understanding any subject.
The article is worth a read as he also gives very interesting suggestions on creating a philosophy journal of one’s learnings that I am going to give a try. Except mine won’t just be about philosophy :p
Steve-
Thanks for the compliment. I don’t think it sounds goofy to figure out what it is you don’t know although I imagine it can sometimes be rather difficult to do. That’s the thing I like about blogging and particularly about the interaction in comments is that it is fairly hard to remain unaware of what you don’t know…which occasionally smarts a bit at the beginning but is great overall.
I remember reading Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography (or honestly it could of just been a book about him because it was a long time ago) and thought he was a bit crazy for his weekly focus on virtues but it’s stood out in my memory ever since.
Coolest and most fun sounds great, rather like what Mark and Jason said about most interesting. Good advice all.
September 11th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
As an expansion on my response about beliefs:
Believe It Or Not, Your Beliefs Affect The Physical World
And Jenny, I will write more about that soon, maybe today… today seems like another one of those very creative days for me, at least as far as writing goes.
September 11th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
And now, Jenny, as per your request:
Are You Anchored Or Adrift
Please give me feedback on this one, as I feel it is one of my best so far.
September 11th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Wow Jason. “Are You Anchored or Adrift” is incredible. Seriously. I’ll say more on your site just wanted to also respond here.
Thank you so much for such an incredible reply.
September 11th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Hi Jenny.
In my mind, the extent of a human being’s potential and ultimately, sense of illusion and reality, depend on that person’s faith and belief systems.
You can remain open to learning about what you sense your traditional, Earth-based abilities may be, such as in Science or the Creative Arts, Sports or Business, just to name a few. At the same time, a human being can also be open to expanding abilities in and related to a spiritual world. How you intuit this, or even whether you consider this of possible interest, ultimately depends on you. Personally, I believe in places like Hogworts.
September 11th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Here’s something mind blowing for you — you already know everything there is to know. You just can’t explain it in words.
This requires much more space than a little comment box affords. The Tao Te Ching hints at it.
September 11th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
Oh, come on Dan, stop teasing us with those tiny little morsels!
September 12th, 2007 at 12:54 am
Good point Dan. For anyone who hasn’t read The Tao Te Ching, it’s a fabulous book. One way to interpret part of it is to sense humans spend their lives learning how to remember what they know inside and just forgot or, must learn to decipher. We’re like walking hieroglyphics.
September 12th, 2007 at 10:03 am
I, personally, wouldn’t want to have conscious recall of everything there is to know. One of my great joys in life is learning new things… and that would be gone.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
My career background was in physics and designing software for scientific research. That said, reading your post reminded me of a bumper sticker I read years ago: “I’ve given up my search for truth. Now I’m looking for a good fantasy.”
I believe in the scientific attempt to understand reality. And, emotionally and spiritually, I use whatever I need in the moment. Metaphors are powerful, even if you don’t believe them literally.
I don’t believe in a theist god, one who interferes in the world. Yet when times get tough my favorite prayer is “Thank You, Lord, for the opportunity. I sure hope You know what You’re doing.” It recognizes I don’t have to like what’s going on, but it reaffirms how I want to be in the world…open and creative and willing to learn and grow. It also keeps me from taking myself and my troubles too seriously.
I also agree with Liara…I believe in Hogwarts, especially Albus Dumbledore. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is still resonating deep within me. With all of our emphasis on developing our potential and becoming great, J. K. Rowling says no. Forget greatness, having a good heart is much more important. The Harry Potter series is one place I go for spiritual nourishment. As I said, I use what works for me.
Jean Browman
Cheerful Monk
Transforming Stress Into Personal Power
September 13th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Who says that having a good heart isn’t the true definition of greatness?
September 13th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Jason: I think the concept of omniscience is so distant from our everyday experience that we don’t truly know how we’d feel if we did really know everything (granted I haven’t read the Tao Te Ching yet). It’s possible that you could easily find sources of joy just as, or even more fulfilling than learning new things… That’s my belief anyway, and I subscribe to Michael’s dream of universal omniscience.
Jean: I was also going to say that having a good heart could also be considered a characteristic of greatness. I like that bumper sticker btw, though I’ll stick to reading or writing fantasy and continuing the search in reality
September 15th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Mark, I agree that having a good heart is one characteristic of greatness. The question is do you think that is enough? Most people wouldn’t. If a kind, good-hearted person lived a quiet life and wasn’t well-known, would you call him or her great? Jason seems to be saying yes. A person like that is towards the top of my list, but I think most people wouldn’t call that greatness.
September 15th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
Jean, the person you describe could be the grandma adored by the entire family, extended family, family friends, and all neighbours. I would say they would consider her great.
But in terms of global recognition, no, hence being a characteristic of greatness and not greatness in its entirety. Btw, there’s a more in-depth discussion of this topic over here
September 18th, 2007 at 11:46 am
I disagree. The heart IS what makes for greatness. What you are referring to is being RECOGNIZED for greatness. There is a huge difference. I think there are all kinds of people that are great, and known as such by the people around them, but are never elevated in recognition to where society in general knows of them.
But it’s not just being nice, or living a quiet life… part of the “heart” of greatness is having principles and sticking by them even when it’s difficult. It’s having integrity… not having different personas for different people, but always being the same person. That’s the true heart of greatness… that combined with compassion, loving and helping others.
September 18th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Thanks, Jason. Well put. You’ve articulated what I really believe, but I wasn’t completely conscious of it before.
I appreciated your comment, too, Mark.
September 18th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
You’re welcome… it’s always nice when you finally read something that puts into words something that you feel, or at least I know it always seems like a relief to me.
September 20th, 2007 at 8:20 pm
True, though I think your definition of ‘heart’ is broader than mine. I don’t consider heart to include curiousity, ambition, or intelligence, but I do consider each of those to contribute to greatness, as well as integrity, discipline, etc. To me, someone who has integrity, and who is compassionate and loving, is a great person, but unless they also possess those other characteristics they’re on the lower end of the scale of greatness (which isn’t a bad thing, and which is purely academic distinction).
September 21st, 2007 at 1:11 am
I don’t consider curiosity, ambition, or intelligence to be part of greatness. They are certainly more common among great people, but I don’t believe they are a part of why they are great. Integrity, discipline, etc., on the other hand, are part of it… and are not normally consider part of the “heart”, but in this case I was referring to the heart as internal attributes, as in something you choose to be, rather than intelligence, which you are (mostly) born with.