The perceptual illusion is an appearance, sometimes even a hallucination (in that cognitive information takes a perceptual and sometimes even sensory form). But escaping the perceptual illusion is even more than escaping that appearance; it is becoming aware of our underlying assumptions about the way reality works, then going beyond them.  It is re-conceptualizing and re-visioning the very dynamics of reality.

The master assumption of the perceptual illusion, that which encompasses all of the underlying assumptions, is the assumption of duality.  Beginning and end, inside and outside, creator and creation, here and nowhere, moving and still, separation and connection, even existence and nonexistence – all and more are dualities.  All of the contents of the perceptual illusion conspire to create the assumption that reality is dual.  This assumption, more than any other, is both ubiquitous and unnoticeable – but at the same time, it inescapably taints our conception of reality.

Underlying and dualistic assumptions of the perceptual illusion

1. The assumption that everything that exists has to have a beginning.
2. The assumption that everything that exists has an inside and outside.
   1. The universe is a universal inside – or is it? If there is a boundary to the universe, what is outside of that boundary?  Sooner or later we have to run out of boundaries, and then we are left with no outside, just an inside everywhere.  On the other hand, if there is no boundary to the universe – and, of course, there isn’t, how can we even say there is an inside and outside?  An inside and outside of what?
3. The assumption that everything has a reason and/or an explanation for its existence.
   1. The causal explanation – everything that exists has to have a cause.
   2. The creation explanation – everything that exists must in some way have been created.
   3. The teleological explanation,e., original intention – everything that emerges must be going towards something – have the purpose or potential for its emergence already in place.
4. The assumption that everything, or even anything has a nature.
   1. All that it really has is a combination of sensory and cognitive qualities in relationship.
5. The assumption that everything that exists is restricted to one quality or one nature.
   1. The branch of physics known as quantum mechanics has determined (through the famous double slit experiment, among others) that light behaves as both a wave and a particle. Most physicists view this as an anomaly and rationalize it by describing light as a probability wave. But actually, in aperceptual reality, probably nothing existing is confined to a single nature. Upon perception every phenomenon is separate, and has one, distinctive nature, but upon further investigation some phenomena reveal multiple aspects, natures or behaviors (dependent on what the experimenter is looking for). In aperceptual reality every perceived phenomenon is really a noumenal context – a field, a force, a thought or feeling – never separate, never material, never one thing.
6. The assumption that everything that exists has a location – and that this location is fixed, determinable and observable.

More dualistic assumptions to consider next blog…

P.S. I am still envisioning a team effort around my new website-in-development.  My invitation: if you’re a big picture thinker with a sense of humor and a sense of fun – looking for ways to make a difference in this crazy world; if you have any skills in editing, website development, Internet marketing, research, etc. – or even just time to spare and would like to volunteer – let me hear from you. (Thank you!)

You can email me at – drjeisen@gmail.com

My current website is – www.drjeffeisen.com

My new website (placeholder for now) is – www.in-sane.net