What is the true nature of our reality? Are we matter flowing through time and space? Our senses seem to confirm that view. But is it true? Can we even discern what is real and what is not? There are people who say we cannot, that it’s all an illusion. It fascinates me because there are things I think I know and there are many more things I don’t know. And there are things that I don’t know that I don’t know. I try to be humble and acknowledge my ignorance.
What I do know is that I am a Witness to Creation. That’s what I call my perception of this reality. I know the term ‘creation’ may have religious connotations but that’s not how I see it. I use that word to describe the process I observe. I really couldn’t come up with a better word to describe my observation. It’s an acknowledgement of the fact that we exist in the world of action. There is only the process of change. Nothing stands still, even those things that look permanent. We perceive we are made of ‘matter’ but, in reality, we are just consciousness and compressed energy.
Another thing that I do know is that we exist in the world of sensory experience. My body has sensors that take input and my brain processes that sensory input. I feel, I smell, I taste, I hear. It’s through language and common experience that what I observe is similar to what other humans observe. That helps explain things but it’s not necessary for my perception to occur. Why would I have these sensors if it wasn’t to experience this reality?
But here’s the point I want to try and make; the very fact that I have sensors implies that they exist for me to experience this reality. I could exist in a different configuration without sensors but because I have them, I am supposed to experience the sensations. To me, this is profound and explains a lot about my reason for being. There are philosophies that take the opposite view; that our purpose is to resist our sensations and deny them. I guess if you have a negative experience you might reach that conclusion.
I relish my sensory input. Even the ‘bad’ stuff like pain and sadness has a purpose. A beautiful sunset, the intense smell of a flower, the comforting touch of a loving partner; they all are incredible sensory experiences. And I seek them out as much as possible. Of course you have to be careful. Too much of a good thing is not good for us either. But we do have these biochemical processes that create our feeling of wellbeing. If we weren’t supposed to feel good, we wouldn’t have these processes, would we?
However, they are subject to the laws of nature so if you try to always seek that ‘high’, especially with certain substances, it will take a larger and large dose of the input to create the output you are looking for. Therefore, one of the rules of nature is moderation.
So, don’t be afraid to seek out pleasurable feelings. It’s part of our reality. Just keep in mind the rules of nature.
