#101 ·
This thread is reserved for the true philosophers and the bright lights of the world. I’m heading out. ☕
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Is physical reality just an illusion?
Is physical reality just an illusion?
Started by Brandon Mitchell · · 👁 9 views · 138 replies
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#102 ·
If everything is just an illusion, then we’re basically the illusionists pulling the strings—except we aren't even aware we're doing it.
The Law of Attraction presents itself as this incredibly simple concept, yet most people can't seem to make it work the way they want. That tells me that no matter how straightforward it claims to be, somewhere along the line, the logic is getting twisted.
As for how anyone wants to handle their attitude toward positivity—well, that's entirely up to them.
Wrong. All you're doing by cranking up the desire is attracting more desire. It's a loop. The harder you try, the more effort you're going to feel like you need to put in. That's why most people only ever manage to manifest trivial little things—not because it's easier, but because they subconsciously believe it *should* be easy. The actual effective approach was laid out ages ago in plenty of texts, and honestly, even in the Bible:
« Just as Jesus Christ prays to Jesus Christ and gives thanks before receiving His gifts, we are taught that same filial boldness: Whatever you ask for and pray for, believe that you have received it ( Luke 11:24). That is the power of prayer; everything is possible for those who believe, with a faith that knows no doubt ( Matthew 21:22). Therefore, prayer born of faith isn't just about saying, "Lord, Lord," but rather aligning our hearts to do the will of the Father ( Matthew 7:21). »
Unwavering faith is like making an instantaneous, irreversible decision—it's like knowing your reality has already been chosen, so you naturally feel happy and grateful for it. In that moment of total clarity, manifestation can start showing up immediately, because sometimes it actually begins even before you've made the choice.
Peter Phillips32 said:There’s this old-school saying that honestly applies perfectly to this whole New York City scene.
"If you think you're the crazy one and everyone else is sane—you're actually the sane one.
But if you think everyone else is losing their minds while you're the only normal person left—then yeah, you're definitely the crazy one."
And honestly, what is there to misunderstand about the Law of Attraction? People have taken this whole "power of positive thinking" thing and cranked it up to such an absurd extreme that instead of it being just a helpful little tool you can pull out when life gets messy, they’ve turned it into some kind of absolute Truth—like it's the fundamental fabric of reality itself. It's wild.
Look, using positive thinking as a technique? Sure, fine. But treating positive thinking as your entire worldview? That's just straight-up narrow-minded egocentrism.
The Law of Attraction presents itself as this incredibly simple concept, yet most people can't seem to make it work the way they want. That tells me that no matter how straightforward it claims to be, somewhere along the line, the logic is getting twisted.
As for how anyone wants to handle their attitude toward positivity—well, that's entirely up to them.
hiddenbear3 said:It really feels like the Law of Attraction isn't doing its job here; you have this intense desire, yet it just won't manifest. It’s exactly how I feel about those pink sunglasses I’ve been eyeing—I want them so badly, but they just seem out of reach.
Maybe I just need to manifest even harder, and then they might finally show up.
Wrong. All you're doing by cranking up the desire is attracting more desire. It's a loop. The harder you try, the more effort you're going to feel like you need to put in. That's why most people only ever manage to manifest trivial little things—not because it's easier, but because they subconsciously believe it *should* be easy. The actual effective approach was laid out ages ago in plenty of texts, and honestly, even in the Bible:
« Just as Jesus Christ prays to Jesus Christ and gives thanks before receiving His gifts, we are taught that same filial boldness: Whatever you ask for and pray for, believe that you have received it ( Luke 11:24). That is the power of prayer; everything is possible for those who believe, with a faith that knows no doubt ( Matthew 21:22). Therefore, prayer born of faith isn't just about saying, "Lord, Lord," but rather aligning our hearts to do the will of the Father ( Matthew 7:21). »
Unwavering faith is like making an instantaneous, irreversible decision—it's like knowing your reality has already been chosen, so you naturally feel happy and grateful for it. In that moment of total clarity, manifestation can start showing up immediately, because sometimes it actually begins even before you've made the choice.
#103 ·
Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:If everything is just an illusion, then we’re basically the illusionists pulling the strings—except we aren't even aware we're doing it.
The Law of Attraction presents itself as this incredibly simple concept, yet most people can't seem to make it work the way they want. That tells me that no matter how straightforward it claims to be, somewhere along the line, the logic is getting twisted.
As for how anyone wants to handle their attitude toward positivity—well, that's entirely up to them.
Wrong. All you're doing by cranking up the desire is attracting more desire. It's a loop. The harder you try, the more effort you're going to feel like you need to put in. That's why most people only ever manage to manifest trivial little things—not because it's easier, but because they subconsciously believe it *should* be easy. The actual effective approach was laid out ages ago in plenty of texts, and honestly, even in the Bible:
« Just as Jesus Christ prays to Jesus Christ and gives thanks before receiving His gifts, we are taught that same filial boldness: Whatever you ask for and pray for, believe that you have received it ( Luke 11:24). That is the power of prayer; everything is possible for those who believe, with a faith that knows no doubt ( Matthew 21:22). Therefore, prayer born of faith isn't just about saying, "Lord, Lord," but rather aligning our hearts to do the will of the Father ( Matthew 7:21). »
Unwavering faith is like making an instantaneous, irreversible decision—it's like knowing your reality has already been chosen, so you naturally feel happy and grateful for it. In that moment of total clarity, manifestation can start showing up immediately, because sometimes it actually begins even before you've made the choice.
You don't actually need to understand or even know about it to live by it; it’s always operating, whether we like it or not. People just tend to dislike what they end up attracting... or rather, what they are actively creating...
The issue lies in a distorted perception of reality, which inevitably leads to suffering—whether that's in life in general or through specific uncomfortable situations.
Ultimately, many people find sustenance in complaining, playing the victim, belittling others, or clinging to their "temperament," and they simply refuse to move past it. That is their right. Those who truly desire change will find it. There’s no sense in exhausting yourself over it, or over other people. It might sound harsh, but we can't possibly see the bigger picture of our own lives, let alone someone else's.
The most beautiful part of all this is that you don't have to read a single word to attain wisdom. You can lead a full, meaningful life without ever searching for it. That's the real magic. All knowledge resides within us; sometimes, we just need to be still.
#104 ·
Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:If everything is just an illusion, then we’re basically the illusionists pulling the strings—except we aren't even aware we're doing it.
The Law of Attraction presents itself as this incredibly simple concept, yet most people can't seem to make it work the way they want. That tells me that no matter how straightforward it claims to be, somewhere along the line, the logic is getting twisted.
As for how anyone wants to handle their attitude toward positivity—well, that's entirely up to them.
Wrong. All you're doing by cranking up the desire is attracting more desire. It's a loop. The harder you try, the more effort you're going to feel like you need to put in. That's why most people only ever manage to manifest trivial little things—not because it's easier, but because they subconsciously believe it *should* be easy. The actual effective approach was laid out ages ago in plenty of texts, and honestly, even in the Bible:
« Just as Jesus Christ prays to Jesus Christ and gives thanks before receiving His gifts, we are taught that same filial boldness: Whatever you ask for and pray for, believe that you have received it ( Luke 11:24). That is the power of prayer; everything is possible for those who believe, with a faith that knows no doubt ( Matthew 21:22). Therefore, prayer born of faith isn't just about saying, "Lord, Lord," but rather aligning our hearts to do the will of the Father ( Matthew 7:21). »
Unwavering faith is like making an instantaneous, irreversible decision—it's like knowing your reality has already been chosen, so you naturally feel happy and grateful for it. In that moment of total clarity, manifestation can start showing up immediately, because sometimes it actually begins even before you've made the choice.
Whether we're conscious of it or not, we are the architects of our own illusions. And honestly? The more we subconsciously build these facades in our lives, the tighter we wrap ourselves in the knot!
Maybe the real culprit behind this whole tangled mess is just our relentless pursuit of happiness—constantly chasing it in places where it always seems to slip right through our fingers.
#105 ·
Anthony Cook8 said:But when there's nothing external to grab onto... you just have to click into it and realize it's already within you. It doesn't come from the outside.
I can offer you some kindness 😁
Joy is always internal; it doesn't depend on anyone or anything else. I remember one day I was feeling pretty low and everything felt out of sync. A friend called me and asked, "Wait, why are you laughing when you're having such a bad day?" and I just instinctively replied, "Because I'm happy."
That is truly the best feeling in the world, and it doesn't come from the world around us. It’s about letting go, rather than clinging to the idea that you should be feeling something different than what you actually are in the moment.
Those are the real pink sunglasses...
Maybe that way, right now, you can trick yourself and bypass an uncomfortable feeling,
but in the long run... you're just doing damage to yourself. Period.
The famous therapist and author Carl Jung, in his book 'Shadow principle',
talks exactly about this—how lately, among patients, there's an increasing number of people dealing with serious illnesses who belong to the "Law of attraction" crowd or the "Warrior of Light" types.
What they all have in common is that they have absolutely no clue how they managed to attract sickness in the first place
while they were supposedly vibrating at the frequency of love and light...
#106 ·
Anthony Cook8 said:You don't actually need to understand or even know about it to live by it; it’s always operating, whether we like it or not. People just tend to dislike what they end up attracting... or rather, what they are actively creating...
The issue lies in a distorted perception of reality, which inevitably leads to suffering—whether that's in life in general or through specific uncomfortable situations.
Ultimately, many people find sustenance in complaining, playing the victim, belittling others, or clinging to their "temperament," and they simply refuse to move past it. That is their right. Those who truly desire change will find it. There’s no sense in exhausting yourself over it, or over other people. It might sound harsh, but we can't possibly see the bigger picture of our own lives, let alone someone else's.
The most beautiful part of all this is that you don't have to read a single word to attain wisdom. You can lead a full, meaningful life without ever searching for it. That's the real magic. All knowledge resides within us; sometimes, we just need to be still.
You've got a point—you don't need to be an expert to trigger the Law of attraction. But if we want to stop that distorted perception that causes all this suffering, we probably *do* need to understand it.
I get that everything is fundamentally simple, and sure, there's probably a better way than grinding through textbooks and over-analyzing things logically—but if all knowledge is truly within us, then I’d actually like to *understand* it, not just stumble through a fulfilled life by pure accident. One single truth can be twisted into a million different thoughts and words, so there has to be a deeper "insight" into the truth. But how do you actually reach that understanding without constant mental gymnastics? How do you avoid just blindly following intuition without knowing where it's leading you? I haven't a clue.
And I honestly believe that if we find ourselves unable to do something, it's only because we haven't figured out the "how" yet, not because it's impossible.
#107 ·
Brandon Mitchell said:So, I was reading somewhere that everything physically surrounding us is actually just an illusion. Honestly, that sounds a little insane to me. It makes me wonder what "reality" even means, because trying to identify myself as some kind of infinite consciousness feels totally out of reach. To me, everything boils down to the body and the mind. I wouldn't go identifying my spirit with some abstract soul or any of those similar concepts, because at the end of the day, it’s all just brain chemistry and psychological states. One is inextricably linked to the other and they both function in tandem, so trying to separate them feels like nothing more than pure fantasy. I don't see how that could possibly be real, so... I guess you guys can weigh in? I've never really been into spiritual circles or anything, so I don't actually know the full depth behind these ideas. I've dabbled in looking into Buddhism and Krishnaism here and there, but that's about it. I'm not a believer in God.
Where do you think those feelings actually originate? From the brain?
Just asking—looking for an honest answer...
#108 ·
driftingcobra572 said:Where do you think those feelings actually originate? From the brain?
Just asking—looking for an honest answer...
Exactly. I mean, where else would they possibly come from?
#109 ·
driftingcobra572 said:Where do you think those feelings actually originate? From the brain?
Just asking—looking for an honest answer...
Look, sure, the brain churns out a whole spectrum of emotions, but if you ask me—and I mean really dig into it—there are two core emotions that feel more spiritual than biological.
#110 ·
Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Look, sure, the brain churns out a whole spectrum of emotions, but if you ask me—and I mean really dig into it—there are two core emotions that feel more spiritual than biological.
Nicholas, emotions have been under investigation for decades now, with various scientific disciplines—psychology and neuroscience included—contributing to our understanding. At this stage, we possess a massive body of knowledge, and if I can guarantee you one thing, it is this: there isn't a shred of evidence suggesting that anything has a cause or origin outside of, and independent from, brain activity. That includes those "fundamental" emotions of yours—and I suspect you are referring to fear and love. It would certainly be groundbreaking news if that were ever proven otherwise.
Rather, as I mentioned, we already know quite a bit about what is what and how things function—specifically regarding the neural correlations of different emotions, which systems are involved, the role of neurotransmitters, and so on.
I don't see why, for instance, when looking at today’s technology and what we might achieve with it in the relatively near future, we couldn't develop something akin to a specialized headset—functioning similarly to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—where, with our precise knowledge of exactly where things occur in the brain, we could essentially toggle emotions on and off just like flipping a light switch. We can actually perform similar manipulations with certain mental functions already. The sole reason such widespread tools don't exist yet is purely an ethical one; such manipulation is problematic. However, other methods exist—psychoactive drugs being the most obvious example. And yes, we can certainly "influence" emotions through them. By "influence," I mean creating them. And yes, fear and love are part of that equation.
#111 ·
Brandon Mitchell said:Exactly. I mean, where else would they possibly come from?
But look, if everything works the way you're describing, how on earth can you explain it when, say, two people have synastry charts that show this massive, undeniable emotional bond...
how does the brain mess with astrology😕
this is just one example of what I mean☕
Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Look, sure, the brain churns out a whole spectrum of emotions, but if you ask me—and I mean really dig into it—there are two core emotions that feel more spiritual than biological.
That's beautifully put, 😍, though I'd probably ditch that word "more" because after overanalyzing relationships using all kinds of methods (especially one specific approach), I've come to realize that emotions are inherently spiritual—especially those intense, soul-level connections we feel with someone.
#112 ·
Nancy Wilson2 said:Nicholas, emotions have been under investigation for decades now, with various scientific disciplines—psychology and neuroscience included—contributing to our understanding. At this stage, we possess a massive body of knowledge, and if I can guarantee you one thing, it is this: there isn't a shred of evidence suggesting that anything has a cause or origin outside of, and independent from, brain activity. That includes those "fundamental" emotions of yours—and I suspect you are referring to fear and love. It would certainly be groundbreaking news if that were ever proven otherwise.
Rather, as I mentioned, we already know quite a bit about what is what and how things function—specifically regarding the neural correlations of different emotions, which systems are involved, the role of neurotransmitters, and so on.
I don't see why, for instance, when looking at today’s technology and what we might achieve with it in the relatively near future, we couldn't develop something akin to a specialized headset—functioning similarly to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—where, with our precise knowledge of exactly where things occur in the brain, we could essentially toggle emotions on and off just like flipping a light switch. We can actually perform similar manipulations with certain mental functions already. The sole reason such widespread tools don't exist yet is purely an ethical one; such manipulation is problematic. However, other methods exist—psychoactive drugs being the most obvious example. And yes, we can certainly "influence" emotions through them. By "influence," I mean creating them. And yes, fear and love are part of that equation.
For me, psychoactive drugs messed me up a bit, but they didn't actually cause more damage than what was already inside me, waiting to surface eventually. Almost any drug can destabilize your mental state, so when you consume them, you're essentially gambling with your own brain chemistry.
#113 ·
Nicholas Gonzalez8 said:Look, sure, the brain churns out a whole spectrum of emotions, but if you ask me—and I mean really dig into it—there are two core emotions that feel more spiritual than biological.
I think you might be mixing up emotions and feelings.
Feelings could almost be called spiritual, since they're basically just how the mind interprets an emotion. That whole interpretation process is totally subjective, so it can easily get tangled up with spiritual thoughts and shape what we actually feel.
#114 ·
Tyler Baker6 said:Maybe that way, right now, you can trick yourself and bypass an uncomfortable feeling,
but in the long run... you're just doing damage to yourself. Period.
The famous therapist and author Carl Jung, in his book 'Shadow principle',
talks exactly about this—how lately, among patients, there's an increasing number of people dealing with serious illnesses who belong to the "Law of attraction" crowd or the "Warrior of Light" types.
What they all have in common is that they have absolutely no clue how they managed to attract sickness in the first place
while they were supposedly vibrating at the frequency of love and light...
The universe just doesn't work that way...
Reading this reminded me of a recent trip to the ER with a close friend. We couldn't stop laughing because she was showing me messages from some frantic woman sending her completely nonsensical sentences just to get attention; all my friend replied was, "Good grief, give me a break," haha. 😁
That's actually what prompted me to reply to your post. 😁
Honestly, you could apply this logic to most debates on this forum. The universe operates according to its own laws, and much of the heated arguing here stems from a lack of understanding of those mechanics, which makes the conflict totally pointless.
No one can force that internal spark of realization onto someone else...
Life is simply lived. It isn't a formula where you take three steps left, three steps right, and suddenly reach a finish line. There is no final destination, no avoiding things, and no such thing as "right" or "wrong" moves.
I encourage anyone here to try doing something that others are forcing upon them. If three different people jumped in right now to give you unsolicited advice on what to do, look at how much of it you would actually follow. You won't do anything that isn't a true part of who you are or your own path; you can't act against your own nature. Everything happens for a reason... everything occurs for a purpose. Nothing is permanent or long-lasting, nor is any situation as catastrophic as we often perceive it to be when we feel like the world is ending.
#116 ·
Lawrence Torres56;50020973 said:But wait, if things really work the way you're saying, how is it possible that a synastry chart can show elements suggesting an intense emotional bond between two people?
how does the brain influence astrology😕
this is just one example☕
To be completely honest, I’ve never actually studied astrology and I have no clue what's really going on behind the scenes. Can you break down what astrology is actually trying to explain? I know it’s supposedly linked to personality traits and predicting the future, but that whole concept has always felt totally out of reach for me. Especially when I see people online showing off their birth charts and then telling others about their destiny based on star alignments—it’s never made sense to me how that’s even possible. I assume there might be some connection to the Law of attraction? I honestly don't know, the whole thing just feels beyond my comprehension.
#117 ·
Nancy Wilson2 said:Nicholas, emotions have been under investigation for decades now, with various scientific disciplines—psychology and neuroscience included—contributing to our understanding. At this stage, we possess a massive body of knowledge, and if I can guarantee you one thing, it is this: there isn't a shred of evidence suggesting that anything has a cause or origin outside of, and independent from, brain activity. That includes those "fundamental" emotions of yours—and I suspect you are referring to fear and love. It would certainly be groundbreaking news if that were ever proven otherwise.
Rather, as I mentioned, we already know quite a bit about what is what and how things function—specifically regarding the neural correlations of different emotions, which systems are involved, the role of neurotransmitters, and so on.
I don't see why, for instance, when looking at today’s technology and what we might achieve with it in the relatively near future, we couldn't develop something akin to a specialized headset—functioning similarly to Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation—where, with our precise knowledge of exactly where things occur in the brain, we could essentially toggle emotions on and off just like flipping a light switch. We can actually perform similar manipulations with certain mental functions already. The sole reason such widespread tools don't exist yet is purely an ethical one; such manipulation is problematic. However, other methods exist—psychoactive drugs being the most obvious example. And yes, we can certainly "influence" emotions through them. By "influence," I mean creating them. And yes, fear and love are part of that equation.
Look, I'm just interpreting what I've noticed in my own head. Sure, love and fear—those two specific feelings can pop up even when I haven't been running some internal monologue or spinning a web of thoughts to trigger them. They just... happen. Like a reflex, a raw reaction to something perceived without any mental commentary. But everything else? Every other emotion seems to dance right along with how my mind interprets things.
Scott Miller4 said:I think you might be mixing up emotions and feelings.
Feelings could almost be called spiritual, since they're basically just how the mind interprets an emotion. That whole interpretation process is totally subjective, so it can easily get tangled up with spiritual thoughts and shape what we actually feel.
I've read that distinction between emotions and feelings somewhere before—maybe from you, honestly, I can't quite remember. But hey, I get where you're coming from.
#118 ·
Scott Miller4 said:I think you might be mixing up emotions and feelings.
Feelings could almost be called spiritual, since they're basically just how the mind interprets an emotion. That whole interpretation process is totally subjective, so it can easily get tangled up with spiritual thoughts and shape what we actually feel.
But what's really the difference?
Quinn:
| Feelings could actually be considered spiritual in nature—think of them as just our mind's way of interpreting raw emotion. Since that interpretation process is totally subjective, it can easily latch onto spiritual thoughts and shape an entire "feeling." |
That said, how we explain those emotions or interpret them varies wildly from person to person because it all comes down to individual behavioral patterns—and honestly, the triggers for emotions themselves are often just subjective illusions, don't you think?
#119 ·
We are dealing here with a fundamental blurring of psychological definitions. An emotion is a feeling—and I mean a feeling, don't confuse it with mere sensation—but not every single sensation qualifies as an "emotion." Take a moment to consider when you simply "sense" something; in those instances, you aren't experiencing an emotion, but rather tapping into the intuitive cognitive function of the psyche.
#120 ·
Brandon Mitchell said:So, I was reading somewhere that everything physically surrounding us is actually just an illusion. Honestly, that sounds a little insane to me. It makes me wonder what "reality" even means, because trying to identify myself as some kind of infinite consciousness feels totally out of reach. To me, everything boils down to the body and the mind. I wouldn't go identifying my spirit with some abstract soul or any of those similar concepts, because at the end of the day, it’s all just brain chemistry and psychological states. One is inextricably linked to the other and they both function in tandem, so trying to separate them feels like nothing more than pure fantasy. I don't see how that could possibly be real, so... I guess you guys can weigh in? I've never really been into spiritual circles or anything, so I don't actually know the full depth behind these ideas. I've dabbled in looking into Buddhism and Krishnaism here and there, but that's about it. I'm not a believer in God.
It doesn't have anything to do with believing in God. It doesn't necessarily require it.
The idea refers to the illusion created by an undifferentiated or unliberated consciousness—basically, an individual consciousness that fails to distinguish itself from the various organs used to perceive the world. Consequently, it doesn't distinguish itself from the world that it constructs through its own mental preconceptions.
Consciousness without an "observer," a watcher, or a witness...
In that sense, the "I" is illusory because it fails to differentiate the Self from the surrounding world, merging them instead—but that world lacks such ownership and is, therefore, perceived rather than absolute.
I'm not sure how to explain it better. This isn't about "separating the material from the immaterial," but rather about differentiation within consciousness itself.
Of course, the assumption that we can recognize, experience, and process the world around us is neurophysiological at its foundation.
Now, the actual path of that processing—how much we are able to distance ourselves from negative, incorrect, or, in this context, illusory identifications and projections—is a different question entirely... as is how we categorize and name it all, whether the model is atheistic or theistic...
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