If You Must Belong To A Tribe, Make It The Reality Tribe
Reality Is The Only Thing That Won't Fail Or Deceive You. It Just Might Expand You.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed but society seems to be going more tribal. Not just tribal but ‘mean’ tribal. ‘Pointing of the finger’ tribal. ‘Hate your neighbor’ tribal. ‘Shun the stranger’ tribal. ‘Tear it all down’ tribal. They are ‘circling the wagons’, building walls, and talking violence. Tribes that fall into this type of thinking have allowed their lizard brains to take over their reasoning or rational minds.
I’ve started calling this Malignant Tribalism. It’s built on fear, designed to defend and protect. Not only is it a sign of the times but it portends a chaotic near future for us all. The more chaos we have in society, the more reactivity and lizard-brain thinking will be triggered.
The question is, why would some groups (tribes) want to create chaos?
Control and manipulation. Malignant tribalism is a desperate attempt to survive when the tribe feels threatened. A deep insecurity drives the lust for power.
The lizard brain is a deceiver. It lies to you about Reality. It manipulates you with fear based reactionary thoughts, all in the name of survival. TS
In Reality, we don’t need to be attached to a thought system or set of defining ideas or values. We don’t cease to exist outside of a tribal belonging.
“Attachment is the great fabricator of illusions; reality can be obtained only by someone who is detached.” – Simone Weil
This attachment creates a defensive compulsion and is why malignant tribalism seeks to establish their beliefs and culture as the only way to perceive Reality. There’s a difference between appreciating culture and identifying with it. Specifically, identification with a thought system, or a tribal interpretation of Reality is the culprit that engages our lizard brain. Whenever that identity is challenged or threatened our lizard brain bypasses our reasoning frontal lobes to react in “self” defense. But how did that “self” identity come into being?
Beyond that, the constant need to establish our own or our group’s worldview above all others is a sign of weakness even though it is perceived as “strength” in authoritarian thinking. It demonstrates insecurity. If what you believe is Real, it doesn’t need our little tribes or egos to prove it to everyone.
Tribes have beliefs, Reality doesn’t need them.
What need of belief could Reality have? If Reality is what IS then there is no belief required. Osho was quoted as saying; “I don’t believe in belief”.
For you to line up with Reality the response to what is should be acknowledgement or acceptance — even better, appreciation.
That which is Real cannot be destroyed. That which is unreal does not exist. ACIM
Most mystics will agree with the statement; “The Truth will set you free.” The problem is that most of us have defined truth as “our beliefs”. Beliefs will not set you free unless they lead you to Reality. Even then you’ll need to let them go in order to dwell in knowingness and appreciation. Reality equals Truth. If you contemplate this you will realize it’s impossible to have a “truth” outside of Reality. That would be the definition of fantasy or delusion.
Embracing Reality
We need to remove the filters from our perception to see Reality clearly. Our worldview and belief system act as a filter to interpret everything we experience within their context. In letting go of our attachment to belief systems or identification with certain stories or narratives about reality and ourselves, we can open up our perception to see more.
"If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, infinite." Wm. Blake
Instead of clinging to a tribal interpretation, group-think, or self-definition, we can embrace Reality as it is. Our defensiveness to experiencing parts of Reality is a mechanism to maintain our ego’s self-definition. It is basically a mind box.
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” – Soren Kierkegaard
I’m not saying this is easy. Nor is it painless. When we let go of our defining beliefs, we can, and probably will, experience what one Middle Eastern mystic called “dying to self”. Removing your mind from the box that limits you may just “kill you”. However, even though it may feel like dying, you will not die. The ego resists its disintegration and expansion at first, but in the end, that expansion feels great.
“Humankind cannot bear very much reality.” – T. S. Eliot
The more Reality you allow yourself to experience the more you will move beyond ego and reactivity. It’s a decision to allow yourself to experience all aspects of existence without resistance.
Embracing Reality is the path to mature adulthood and sanity
In (Emotional Integration Techniques) I talk about the details of how to approach this expansion. The detailed lessons and interaction with me are part of a paid subscription. I’ve tried to make it affordable for anyone, so please consider a subscription level you can afford to help those with fewer resources to join us. We intend to create a viable community of expanding, emotionally mature humans.
The past gives you an identity and the future holds the promise of salvation, of fulfillment in whatever form. Both are illusions. Eckhart Tolle
Please share this post. I’d also love to hear your comments as well.
Thank you so much for your interest. T Sebastian
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