The Trap of Illusions

Our minds are powerful engines of creation.

For most people, just seeing letters arranged in a certain way (say, “tree”) can conjure and entire vivid scene. Perhaps it’s a memory, perhaps just a feeling, maybe it’s something different every time, but it’s almost always more than just the letters.

We’re constantly interpreting the world around us. Filtered through our senses–expansive or limited as they may be–our reality is never exactly the same as that of someone else. A situation that brings us joy could bring someone else anxiety due to a difference in past experiences. Various things can cause colors to be perceived differently. Even our moods at any given time can color how we understand what’s right in front of us.

So saying that we create our own reality is, quite literally true.

Consensus Reality

Of course there are things that we all generally share agreement on. The concepts of day and night, the weather we’re walking through, things that multitudes of people in close proximity can all perceive in close enough parity that there’s littler disagreement to be found.

This is “Consensus Reality”… the baseline that we all generally accept as true. This is the reality based on facts that can generally be proven in various ways (notably science).

People in altered states can break from consensus reality.

Various substances and disorders can lead to a break from consensus reality. People see and hear things that others do not. Sometimes, there is a severe disconnect and life becomes difficult in very immediate ways. Other times, it may be a more “soft” break and normal function can continue, with little friction between the “consensus reality” and the “personal reality.”

Those who walk a spiritual path often exists at the tipping point between a soft and hard break from consensus reality. This is why it’s always important to know how to ground yourself in the physical and have a plan to be brought back to the consensus reality where you’ll likely need to function regularly.

If you spend all your time in an altered state, there’s not a lot you can do to positively impact the regular world. You can’t change something if you can’t properly interact with it.

In most cases, though, the break is comparatively minor and mostly internal. Our perception and inner narrative gets colored in one way or another and that creates a cycle. This often happens on a subconscious level.

Illusions and Delusions

Illusions are things a person perceives based on interactions with consensus reality that don’t match with the consensus. They differ from hallucinations in that they are, however tenuously, connected to actual things that others are also experiencing.

Delusions are firmly based in ideas and thought processes that diverge from fact. They are something a person believes, regardless of any other information. These may be based on illusions or other aspects of a separation from consensus reality.

Illusions can lead to delusions. Together these can trap us into very harmful ways of thinking and acting.

If we believe someone is out to get us, every action of that person we interpret will be viewed from that baseline. This will, without question, reinforce the idea that they are out to get us. Every word will have a double-meaning. Every action some consequence that has a negative impact on our lives.

If we believe someone is has out best interests at heart, we will allow them to do all sorts of things that we may otherwise not allow. We will brush off any negative connotations or results as either inconsequential or necessary to the greater, good, goal.

Delusions and illusions feed into one another, escalating incontrovertibly to one extreme or another. Because extremes cannot be sustained, this will lead to a breaking point… a disillusionment.

Being Disillusioned is Good

When our personal reality breaks and we’re thrust back into consensus reality, it can be painful.

Our “perfect” world suddenly comes crashing down. Everything that made so much sense no longer does. And what we believed to be true turns out to be lies. This is the sort of thing that happens often when relationships fall apart–quickly or slowly–over time.

It’s also the young idealist coming into their first real confrontation with the real forces of the world.

It can also be a tremendously freeing–yet terrifying–experience.

Learning that you do have choice, that you do have power and worth, after years of believing you do not, is like stepping into a completely different reality. Many forces in the world have spent a lot of time and effort convincing people (individuals and groups) that they don’t have a place or power. The breaking of that illusion is what leads to revolutions and escapes from bad relationships.

Regardless of the reason or immediate result, becoming disillusioned–literally getting the illusions that have probably been supporting and supported by delusional thought patterns removed–is what everyone should strive for.

Choose Wisely

Anyone on a spiritual path, or any path of self-discovery and growth, needs to be aware of the trap that illusions can be. Comfort-based or avoidance-based or just grown out of ignorance or dreams, illusions and the delusions they support are obstacles that will hold you back.

Illusions may be pleasant, comforting, balms to harsh reality or they may be self-harming, detrimental constructs… but either way they aren’t conducive to long-term proper growth as a person.

Becoming more consciously aware of your own thought patterns and root causes for your own thoughts and actions is the key to proper disillusionment. Once you have removed the illusions (whether or not your personal reality matches perfectly with the consensus reality), you have agency and can choose what cycles and patterns you engage with.

You have the power of choice. Choose wisely.