Changing Reality

Previously I wrote about how spirituality is oriented toward changing reality. In this post I will write about this idea a bit more.

In that previous post, I wrote about how our perceptions, thoughts, memories, and feelings can sometimes get in the way of how we experience our realities. This is because our perceptions often shape the realities we experience. It’s also because our thoughts, feelings, and memories can also shape the stories we tell ourselves about reality.

When we notice how our inner realities shape our outer realities, this is called awareness.

Let me unpack this a bit.

When we see how our perceptions shape our realities, and when we see ourselves being captured by thoughts, feelings, and memories, we become aware of our inner realities.

“Inner realities influence our behaviours, attitudes, and engagements with others.”

We also begin to see how these inner realities influence our behaviours, attitudes, and engagements with others.

For example, if I am grumpy, this affects how I engage my family; my anger and frustration with myself draws out anger and frustration from those closest to me. Subtle things like my tone of voice, my body language, and my entire demeanour influence how others interact with me.

However, if I know I am grumpy, I can do things to counteract this. I can tell those around me I’m having a tough day and I need space. I can also reflect on the reasons why I’m grumpy and begin working with those reasons.

In both cases, I have begun changing my realities. I have worked to change the realities outside me by telling others how I’m feeling. I’ve also begun changing realities within me by working with the reasons why I’m feeling grumpy.

And it all begins with awareness.

Here are eight questions to help you build your awareness:

1. What are some things that really bother you?
2. Why do they bother you?
3. When you see someone doing this thing that bothers you, how do you respond?
4. Why do you respond this way?
5. Is this the only way you can imagine responding to this situation?
6. How might you respond to this or similar situations differently?
7. What might help you to have these different responses?
8. How might you work to have these different responses consistently, if that is something you want?

“Changing reality always begins by changing ourselves.”

Changing reality always begins by changing ourselves. But this change has to happen both within ourselves, as well as in our relationships.

What might happen if we all started changing ourselves for the better? What would that feel like from your perspective? What would the world begin to look like?

From my perspective, the possibilities are endless.

References

Lasair, S. (2019). What’s the point of spiritual care? A narrative response. Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling 73(2): 115-123. DOI: 10.1177/1542305019846846

Lasair, S. (2019). A Narrative Approach Spirituality and Spiritual Care in Health Care. Journal of Religion and Health [Online First]. https://rdcu.be/bSZY3

Disclaimer: The advice and suggestions offered on this site are not substitutes for consultation with qualified mental or spiritual health professionals. The perspectives offered here are those of the author, not of those professionals with whom readers might have relationships as clients or patients. In crisis situations, readers are encouraged to contact these professionals for appropriate support and treatment if needed.