A separate reality

[Excerpt Be and Become, © ProCreative, Sydney 2000]

One of the major reasons for dis-ease and the deep degree of anxiety, angst and violence in the world today is that we still abide by the idea that physical reality is strictly  particle-natured (finite, local, real and knowable). Recall that the perception of reality being strictly local allows one to believe that we are each distinctly and qualitatively “separate from” all else, be it other physical objects (such as people) or deeper nonlocal fields of potential.

The belief that physical reality is strictly local (finite and measurable) is a fundamental belief held by both religion and science. Both hold the belief that we are all subject to external, independent mechanical or spiritual forces (respectively). Whether it be science or religion, we have been taught that we are at the mercy of powers greater than ourselves. We have been taught that we are victims to external physical or spiritual forces.

The idea that we are “separate from” other people, physical objects and other spiritual states has become deeply embedded in the world psyche.

Even New Age adherents who talk of perfection, perfect high-selves, absolute happiness or Nirvana have been distracted and limited by the belief in strict locality. For reasons more fully explained later in this chapter:

The belief in strict locality (“separateness”) has limited most of our interaction with the world and with ourselves. It is this misconception of the world around us which gives rise to our individual and collective problems.