This is one of those Buddhist tenants that have always bugged me a little bit.

The idea that reality is permeable, or fluctuating, or easily suggestible. As in, there is our reality, not a single reality.

In simple terms - when you are in a rush, everyone is moving to slowly. When you just got great news, or are falling in love, everyone is moving at the perfect speed.

One little thing can turn our whole day upside down or right side up. Life is how we think about it. Eyes show different people different things. Glass half full / half - you get it -

In physics it’s called the measurement problem. The theory that the observer always affects what’s observed. How we look at something changes it. It’s also called the The dandelion principle. Some people call a dandelion a weed, a menis, and for some it’s medicine, a detoxifier to the liver, a tool for women to produce more breast milk.

There are many dharmic teachings that remind us that so much of our life is not just the action but also the state of con­sciousness that we choose to reside in. Our suggestible storytelling and story-filled mind is the very thing that determines the nature and quality of the words we utter and actions we take. There are people who have it all and still don’t feel enough. People who are powerful, famous, rich, and still profoundly unhappy.

Okay, this all makes sense to me… Now, what if I say that I see a ton of disparity, unfair death, war, genocide, a planet in pain, abuse and greed, is that all just in my mind?

No - these things are most defiantly happening, but as you know - some people do not see them that way. Some people don’t see a planet hurting. Some people only see profit and not people. Some people are in fear for their lives while others see justice and righteousness taking effect.

I think the phrase, “all that you see out in front of you is how you feel inside your head” is more about this ability we have to convince ourselves of anything. To come up with and believe in a story that serves or harms us.

And since we are so suggestible, one of the things we get to do in this life is open up this field of inquiry. Ask ourselves, is this real? Is this thought real? Does this cause harm? Am I complicit? Is this that serious compared to what could be happening?

By taking a moment to arrive and see what truly is, to take in a perspective larger than just our story, we’re allowing reality to come to us.

A reality that is much bigger than us as the main character. A reality that says we are tiny pieces of dust, but also, we can love, take action, and heal in profound ways. A reality that is both beautiful and full of devastation. A reality where what we do matters and doesn’t matter at all.

By opening up this field of inquiry, we’re seeing what's here rather than imposing a story about what's here. This requires us to take on the task of challenging what we have been told, and going head to head with the oppression we have internalized through any allegiance we may have to poisonous and outdated stories.

How much liberation is in our lives depends on how much space we make for it to exist - in all that is here, not simply what we pick and choose to be here.

xo

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