It's cool that you put the question so broadly, because it leaves it open for interpretation. I like what the DJ said about reality -- the people that tend to live in the standard defintion of "reality," or what the mainstream likes to call "the real world," seem generally unhappy. I mean, you could debate forever about what the true definition of the word "reality" is. Everyone has their own vague idea of it, but it's relative from person to person.
I like to define "reality" very literally -- that which is real, or the truth. And in this sense, reality is what I live for. To know the truth, to see things as they are. I don't claim to have the ability to see everything just as it is, but I strive for it. I try to perpetuate the truth, to speak and act honestly. I'm not always successful, but I want nothing more than to live for what is real.
You may notice that my definition of "reality" is closely aligned with the theological definition, or the definition you'd find in Eastern philosophy. And it is. Theology and Eastern philosophy have presented a definition that makes the most sense to me, and that I have a natural inclination towards.
In consideration of everything I've just said, I guess I would naturally have a literal/theological definition of "perceived reality" as well. "Perceived reality" would just be what is real by your own perception, and therefore is limited to your own perception. Reality doesn't go beyond what you, yourself can perceive. By this definition, perceived reality can be dangerous.
If you're unable to see outside of only what you can perceive, then you may not be able to see much else than your own ego. Theologically, every belief system has it's own version of the ego -- the ego tells you that you should be separate and superior to everyone else in the world; it's the source of all selfishness and desire. It's a survival mechanism, but excessive ego is the cause of suffering and evil. The ego is what creates the illusions that bar us from the truth. We could go on forever discussing different ways to handle the ego, but that's the purpose of faith (kind of a tangent topic to this one). One solution is to acknowledge the limitations of your own viewpoint, and realize that you want to things as they are, despite yourself. A hard-ass thing to do, but people do it.
Now, to say which one is more important than the other: they both have their purpose (serving the ego has it's place, but that's also out of reach for this discussion). There's a need for perceived reality and seeing things our own way, but many would argue that this is the illusion we are trying our entire lives to awaken from. Perceived reality would be "the real world" that our parents and others so conveniently speak of.
So by my chosen definition, reality is what we really want.
*Thanks for the great discussion topic, Danny. Let's get together soon.
At this point, I think the best time for me would be after Christmas. I can do it on the 26th or 27th, if you're down. Should we just meet up for coffee or something? My schedule's completely open, so whatever works for you.
It's cool that you put the question so broadly, because it leaves it open for interpretation. I like what the DJ said about reality -- the people that tend to live in the standard defintion of "reality," or what the mainstream likes to call "the real world," seem generally unhappy. I mean, you could debate forever about what the true definition of the word "reality" is. Everyone has their own vague idea of it, but it's relative from person to person.
I like to define "reality" very literally -- that which is real, or the truth. And in this sense, reality is what I live for. To know the truth, to see things as they are. I don't claim to have the ability to see everything just as it is, but I strive for it. I try to perpetuate the truth, to speak and act honestly. I'm not always successful, but I want nothing more than to live for what is real.
You may notice that my definition of "reality" is closely aligned with the theological definition, or the definition you'd find in Eastern philosophy. And it is. Theology and Eastern philosophy have presented a definition that makes the most sense to me, and that I have a natural inclination towards.
In consideration of everything I've just said, I guess I would naturally have a literal/theological definition of "perceived reality" as well. "Perceived reality" would just be what is real by your own perception, and therefore is limited to your own perception. Reality doesn't go beyond what you, yourself can perceive. By this definition, perceived reality can be dangerous.
If you're unable to see outside of only what you can perceive, then you may not be able to see much else than your own ego. Theologically, every belief system has it's own version of the ego -- the ego tells you that you should be separate and superior to everyone else in the world; it's the source of all selfishness and desire. It's a survival mechanism, but excessive ego is the cause of suffering and evil. The ego is what creates the illusions that bar us from the truth. We could go on forever discussing different ways to handle the ego, but that's the purpose of faith (kind of a tangent topic to this one). One solution is to acknowledge the limitations of your own viewpoint, and realize that you want to things as they are, despite yourself. A hard-ass thing to do, but people do it.
Now, to say which one is more important than the other: they both have their purpose (serving the ego has it's place, but that's also out of reach for this discussion). There's a need for perceived reality and seeing things our own way, but many would argue that this is the illusion we are trying our entire lives to awaken from. Perceived reality would be "the real world" that our parents and others so conveniently speak of.
So by my chosen definition, reality is what we really want.
*Thanks for the great discussion topic, Danny. Let's get together soon.
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At this point, I think the best time for me would be after Christmas. I can do it on the 26th or 27th, if you're down. Should we just meet up for coffee or something? My schedule's completely open, so whatever works for you.
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