The Illusion of Our Memories & Your Reality

The Domino Effect of Change

I believe in the domino effect, where changing just one small aspect can cause a cascade of transformative changes in life.

Today, I invite you to read this article with an attitude similar to listening to soft, buzzing music—an experience meant to induce a shift within you.

The Attitude of Curiosity

When learning about spirituality, certain points might seem obvious, but I encourage you to ask yourself, "What am I not seeing here?" and "What am I not hearing here?"

These questions keep the mind open and prevent premature conclusions, promoting an attitude of curiosity that enables us to look deeper and see more.

The Nature of the Past

Let’s discuss the past and its impact. Many of us suffer due to our memories. But can we truly relive our past? The truth is, we cannot.

We can only reconstruct the past using imprints in our minds—images, words, and sensations that are never identical to the original experience.

The Inaccuracy of Memories

Memories are inherently unreliable. They are reconstructed each time we recall them, influenced by the present moment's context and our evolving self. Studies have shown that people's memories, even when confident, often contain inaccuracies. Therefore, what we perceive as our past is more about reconstruction than reliving.

Suffering and the Present Moment

You might wonder how the past can cause suffering if we cannot relive it. The only way the past affects us is through our current thoughts.

When we fail to recognize our thoughts as just thoughts, they seem real and cause suffering.

By acknowledging "I am experiencing the thought that my life is bad" rather than "My life is bad," we change our embodied experience and reduce suffering.

The Misuse of Imagination

Similar principles apply to our anxiety about the future, which is purely imaginative.

The body cannot distinguish between real experiences and imagined ones which leads to real physical responses to imagined scenarios.

Recognizing that our thoughts create our perceived reality can help mitigate future-related anxiety.

The Power of Choice

Our capacity to influence our reality lies in our power to choose.

Instead of saying, "I have to do this," saying "I choose to do this" significantly changes our sense of empowerment.

True power is the ability to make a difference, and expressing choice gives us that power.

Equanimity and Authenticity

Cultivating equanimity means allowing both positive and negative thoughts without identifying with them.

Thoughts are not facts. We must observe our thoughts and emotions without letting them define us.

Rethinking Self-Perception

Much of our suffering comes from rigid self-identification. By considering ourselves as a collection of past behaviors, we limit our ability to adapt and thrive.

We must move beyond these self-imposed boxes and recognize the fluid nature of our identity.

Living from a Place of Empowerment

Instead of telling disempowering stories about ourselves, we should create narratives that push us forward—stories where we are capable, resilient, and able to handle whatever life throws our way.

Meeting the world from a place of "I am okay, and I can handle it" transforms our interaction with reality.

Conclusion:

The complexity of reality is far more complex than we can comprehend.

Our perspective is just that—a perspective.

It does not capture the absolute truth of any situation.

Our task is to cultivate perspectives that help us navigate life effectively, keeping an attitude of curiosity and openness.

Thank you for joining me in exploring these thoughts.

Remember, whatever happens, you are okay, and you can handle it.

Let this be your grounding mantra as you navigate the complexities of life.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out episode 22 of the Spiritualogic Podcast on YouTube and Spotify