We Don’t See the World—We See Our Reflection
We navigate life assuming we see things as they are, but in reality, we see things as we are. The beliefs we hold, the experiences we've lived, and the identity we construct all serve as filters, shaping our perspective. This is why two people can look at the same situation and see two entirely different realities.
This phenomenon isn't just frustrating; it’s the very reason why meaningful discussion often feels impossible. If everyone is convinced their version of the truth is the truth, what happens when those truths collide? What happens when we become so attached to our perspective that we view opposing ones as a threat rather than an opportunity to expand our understanding?
The Paradox of Truth: Water as an Example
Consider something as seemingly simple as water. It’s essential for life, arguably the best thing you can consume. Yet, too much water can kill you.
Does that mean water is bad? No.
Does that mean water is perfect? No.
Does that mean water must be understood in context? Yes.
When we expand our understanding beyond a surface-level truth ("water is good"), we begin to see the nuances: hydration, electrolyte balance, how it interacts with diet, activity levels, and individual health. The more we expand our awareness, the more we move from rigid absolutes to deeper discussions.
Now, apply this to politics, morality, and personal beliefs.
The Spyglass Effect: How Identity Narrows Our View
We all look at life through a spyglass—our beliefs, upbringing, fears, and conditioning shape what we see. The problem? We mistake this narrow view for the entire picture.
A person raised in a particular political ideology will see the world through that framework.
A person who has experienced deep betrayal may filter relationships through a lens of distrust.
A person who has never questioned their own assumptions will struggle to comprehend those who have.
We don’t just argue about issues—we argue from within our conditioned spyglass, convinced that what we see is reality. But if we all see different "realities," can one be the absolute truth? Or is truth something bigger, something only revealed when we set down the spyglass and examine the one holding it?
Identity Loops: The Trap We Don’t See
If person A believes in one ideology and person B believes in another, both are convinced they see reality clearly. But what’s actually happening?
Perception is Identity-Driven – We filter information based on our conditioned beliefs, past experiences, and emotional investments. We see what reinforces our sense of self and reject what threatens it.
Virtue-Seeking & Selective Blindness – Every stance, decision, or belief has both strengths and weaknesses. But we selectively amplify the negatives of the “other side” while glorifying our own. We seek virtue in our chosen perspective while dismissing the nuanced reality of opposing views.
The Loop Begins – Because we view the world through this selective spyglass, we continue reinforcing our beliefs, further embedding our identity into them. The more we argue, the deeper the divide, because the argument isn’t about truth—it’s about protecting the ego.
And so, society oscillates endlessly between right and left, good and evil, never realizing that this back-and-forth is a product of its own unconscious self-perception. The world doesn’t improve because people refuse to recognize that their perceived "bigger picture" is just another fragment of an even greater, unseen whole.
Virtue-Seeking and the Trap of Moral Superiority
Many of us make decisions in an attempt to be "good" people. But every decision, no matter how virtuous, carries both positive and negative consequences. Without deep self-awareness, we run the risk of:
Viewing those who disagree with us as "bad" or "wrong" without examining why they think the way they do.
Casting stones at dirty windows while ignoring our own contradictions.
Seeking moral high ground rather than personal understanding.
The harsh reality is that if something as simple as drinking water can be debated as both good and bad, how much more complex are politics, social issues, and belief systems? If we don't take the time to understand why people think the way they do—while also examining our own motives—then we are simply arguing into oblivion, convinced that our narrow slice of truth is the whole.
Moving Beyond the Illusion of "Right" and "Wrong"
Right and left, good and evil, us vs. them—these are easy narratives to cling to, but reality is far more intricate. Until we:
Recognize that our perspective is conditioned, not absolute.
Understand that opposing views exist for a reason.
Examine why we react emotionally to certain beliefs or people.
Oscillate between different viewpoints to see both strengths and weaknesses.
…we will remain stuck in identity-driven division, mistaking our spyglass for the whole picture.
The real challenge is not proving others wrong—it’s seeing why we are so convinced we are right. Because only when we step beyond that illusion can we begin to see bigger than the bigger picture.
Until we can set down the spyglass and question the one holding it, we will forever mistake the reflection for reality.
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