Breaking Free from Delusion: Living in the Present
It's no secret that we often find ourselves living in a state of delusion. From accepting narratives that allow us to function to dwelling merely in our past, we tend to ignore the present. This article will explore the concept of delusion, the reasons behind it, and the importance of living in the present to achieve true understanding.
The Nature of Delusion and Our Past
Delusion is a state of mind in which we accept narratives that are not entirely true or reality. We often find ourselves living in our past rather than the present, because our present thoughts are heavily influenced by our past experiences, beliefs, and prejudices. Our past is bottled up in our subconscious, and it filters our perception of the stimuli we encounter.
This reliance on past experiences makes us mechanical, much like a computer program responding to inputs through pre-set filters. As Plato once said, there is no soul in the common people. This mechanized response to stimuli means that we cannot know objective reality, as we can only know our side of the story.
Steering Away from Delusion
To break free from delusion, we must live in the present moment. This requires a profound self-awareness and a continuous effort to dissolve past-based responses. As the apostle wrote, 'I die daily.' This means recognizing and dissolving each mechanical response as it emerges from the subconscious, allowing true present-moment awareness.
By recognizing that our thoughts and emotions are merely products of past accumulations and dissolving them, we can achieve true presence. This living in the present awareness allows us to understand objective reality, as we no longer rely on past-based narratives to filter our perceptions.
Self-Reflection and Personal Accountability
Assessing one's own delusions and stepping outside of them is the first step towards breaking free from delusion. Before evaluating how others live, we must begin with our own selves, because each individual experience is unique. Hearsay is not a proof of objectivity; direct experience is the only means to understand reality.
Delusional thinking is based on accepting narratives that others provide. Words and concepts learned from others help us navigate the world, but they are not reality in themselves. For instance, the word 'bread' helps us function, but we must experience the tangible aspects of bread—touching, smelling, and eating it—to truly know what bread is.
Direct experience is the way out of the conceptual world of delusion. By focusing on direct experience, we can understand our true nature and the reality of the world. While narratives are necessary for functioning in the world, direct experience provides a deeper and more authentic understanding.
Conclusion
Living in the present is the key to breaking free from delusion. By recognizing and dissolving past-based responses, we can achieve true presence and understand objective reality. True self-awareness and continuous effort are necessary for this journey. Remember, the path to understanding your true nature lies in direct experience, not in accepting narratives from others.