ASK ABDI: HOW CAN WE DISCERN WHICH PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES WE HAVE ARE “REAL” VS. IMAGINARY?

QUESTION:

How can we discern which perceptions and experiences we have had are "real" (in response to external phenomena) vs. "imaginary" (created by our brain as a result of suggestion or emotion)? As a lifelong agnostic, I embarked on a spiritual quest 5 years ago that took me from Tarot to Kabalah to Spiritism/Spiritualism, and back to a secular approach to life, albeit with an inclination towards non-duality. I now struggle to make sense of the supernatural perceptions I experienced while in my search, as I try to salvage what's true and worthy of maintaining in the narrative of my life.

ANSWER:

You were called from a voice within on a spiritual quest. You followed that voice on the journey that brought you to where you are now. Where is that voice now? Who is the “you” that is looking to “salvage what’s true and worthy” and what is the difference between the inner voice and this you? Investigate this split and you will find that the real inner voice is in charge. The other is the mind up to its old tricks of the illusion of control. The ego turns up the volume on the mind and thoughts to get us back to what is familiar. It is a sign and back handed compliment from the ego that you are indeed departing from the status quo of sleep walking.

Non-duality or Advaita is about as juicy (and close to REALITY) as it gets for mind to hold onto to a concept of what animates this realm. It is a common piece of the journey to return back to “secular” civilian life from the spiritual quest and want to make sense of it with the mind. Remember that the mind, its incessant thinking and concepts that it throws up with are indeed the thing that blocks us from experiencing reality. It is the mind that wants to “salvage’ your experiences. Those experiences were meant to shift and remind you that all is within you. Trust the knowingness and the process.

You are that you seek. Hamsa, So’ham. Look that up if not familiar and meditate on it.