We do not, nor can we, see the real world — not as we are. Humans evolved to not see the real world. Because seeing the real world does not help us survive.
Instead we see an augmented reality.
When a bear wanders into our vicinity, we do not see the bear. We see an icon that represents the bear.
Why? Because the icon can be fashioned to help us act in a manner that will improve our chances of survival. Seeing the real bear apparently does not do as well.
We are programmed by our DNA, and trained by our experience to see icons rather than reality.
Consider the situation of someone that holds up an icon and describes it in excellent detail so that they may ask the all important question: “Is this icon I am holding a valid representation of the way it really is?” There are so many things wrong with this question. It is steeped in a view of the world that is based on bad assumptions. Time is not the way you think it is. You and not-you (sometimes called others) is not that way you think it is. Truth is not what you think it is.
If you find yourself asking the question: “Is this true” you are most likely barking up the wrong tree.
We have evolved to be in a world of icons rather than reality.
Stop for a moment and consider what that will mean for religious/spiritual discussion. When speaking in a language built in a world of icons, then all the words and concepts will be icons.
This is perfectly fine. We do what we can do. So go ahead and use what you have available. In this case that is icons. Just done ask are the icons real? They are not real, they are icons.
You can ask questions such as:
- “Am I limiting myself by using this icon in the way I am using it?”
- “If I tweaked this icon in a certain manner would that help me?”
- “Hey, I was looking at this particular icon the other day and figured it might be useful to remove the attribute of ‘otherness’ from the icon and replace what attribute with ‘There is no other.” What do you think?”
We are trying to live in the real world and behave in an enlightened manner. But, everything we touch turns into an icon. (hmmm, maybe that Midas and the golden touch was an allegory for this.) “Real world” is an icon. “Enlightened” is an icon. Anything you can point to is an icon.
Does this mean we should say nothing and do nothing? Well, let me remind you: all of the following are icons: we, nothing, do, should, etcetera, and so on, …
Does this mean we should say nothing and do nothing? Good question. Of course not. Proceed. Say and do. Do all you can do. Be all you can be. Just keep somewhere in the back of your mind the little nugget: “All phenomena is illusion.” Or, in context of this blog: “All phenomena is icons.”
Here’s a youtube video that might help: