Let’s start off by briefly discussing the evolution of the brain, because that’s where our thoughts are derived. According to several scientists and archaeologists, as we evolved over time as human beings, our brain experienced an unprecedented growth, more than doubling its mass in a little over 2 million years. The disproportionate share of this growth centered on the frontal lobe, which sits at the front of the head above the eyes. This change in shape accentuates depth of planning, communication, problem solving, and other advanced cognitive functions. 

The conscious mind is how we perceive objects, and our senses are conduits that give us information about their physical properties. This information travels from the object to the mind, giving us awareness of the experience the way we see it. Early in life, while our brains are developing, we expect everyone else to see things the same way. However, with increased maturity, we shift from realism (the way things are) to idealism (the way things can be).

Our prehistoric brains had to directly experience an event to learn from its pleasures and pains, but now our expanded brain capacity allows us to imagine what has not yet happened. This is what historians deem the reason humans are regarded as the most intelligent primate on Earth. Our brain is not just a simple recording device – it’s a computer that gathers information and offers its best interpretation of how things are. In most cases, we don’t realize that what we’re seeing is an interpretation.

For example, everyone has a blind spot where the optic nerve head rests within the retina. There are no photoreceptors in this area, so information is still transmitted to the brain, but with no images – just what we perceive through our experiences and thoughts. Some people, like talented athletes, are good at anticipating viable action in this blind area using intuition and instincts. We imagine how situations will turn out based on previous experience, then make precise decisions using intuition.

According to the philosopher Immanuel Kant, perceptions are not the result of a physiological process where our eyes transmit an image of the world to our brain, but rather a process that combines what our eyes see with what we already think, feel, and believe. We use a combination of sensory information and pre-existing knowledge to construct our perception of reality. 

For instance, when visiting a new country, if we have a great experience with accommodations, food, service, and weather, we form an opinion in our mind of how a return trip will materialize. But there’s no guarantee we’ll have the same experience, as staff may change, restaurants may close, and weather may differ. The key realization is that everything changes with time – nothing ever stays exactly the same.

The conscious mind includes the sensations, perceptions, memories, feelings, and fantasies in our current awareness. According to Sigmund Freud, this assortment of thoughts plays a large part in forming an individual’s personality, feelings, and awareness of others. An intelligent way to form a logical opinion of someone’s character is to judge them by their words and actions, making sure the two align. If you struggle with that level of objectivity, you may have an altered sense of reality based on misinformation, lack of knowledge, or mental afflictions.

We sometimes make quick judgments when meeting new people based on their appearance. While this can be a normal reaction, it’s smart to exercise objectivity, as first impressions aren’t always accurate. Our thoughts and feelings can change how a person looks to us over time. For example, we may start a friendship with someone very attractive, but as we get to know them, that attractiveness fades if their personality is lacking. In contrast, we may initially find someone unappealing, but as we spend time with them, they become more attractive to us. The conscious mind forms an opinion that affects how they visually appear, and that becomes your reality.

Art has a long history of depicting the realities and appearances of different eras, from prehistoric cave paintings to the Harlem Renaissance. These works give us a window into what life was like in the past – the culture, fashion, design, and stories of the times. Family photos serve a similar purpose, showing how previous generations embraced change, shared memories, passed on knowledge, and faced their own mortality. 

Incorporating this philosophy of learning from the past to prepare for the future could help create a better outcome for our society. Although most people don’t want to acknowledge it, we are all in this together. When surrounded by false narratives, perceptions, and illusions precipitated by loneliness, selfishness, insecurities, and racism, how do we coexist peacefully? 

The answer lies in living your own truth. Self-awareness gives us a more accurate depiction of the world around us and our self-worth. We must let others live as they like, fix what we need to in our own lives, and remember that some people need more time to reach their own moment of clarity. There will always be those who never find that clarity, becoming irreverent, selfish, and delusional, with a narcissistic conscious mind. They use people as pawns, lack concern for others, and never take responsibility when things go wrong. Eventually, they become unaware of the world around them, disregarding others’ opinions, and end up leading an unhealthy, unhappy life, losing sight of reality as they only see a reflection of themselves.

Once you are in touch with your own reality, you can work on improving yourself by being considerate of others’ feelings and realities, even when they differ greatly from your own. Respecting and seeking to understand different perspectives, while finding ways to coexist, is crucial for personal growth and societal harmony. We must remember that everyone is on their own journey, and with patience and compassion, we can create a more balanced and fulfilling reality for all. ~Balance Due