Filters

A meditation on the mind

We see our lives as through

A filter,

*

Thus does the world seem

Out of kilter;

*

Perhaps if we could see

Aright,

*

We might behold a

Different sight.

Author's Note

As we grow, we are exposed to many beliefs, some of them quite negative. If not corrected, they can comprise a negative worldview, which would impact our lives
for the worse.

Reviews

[Isola]

So true, “If the doors of perception were cleansed..”

[duff]

Change the scenery. Move on. Its never wise to get too comfortable. Nice work John.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Duff. And if you can't move on, try to see the thing differently.

[Chris Shaw]

A brilliant bit of penning here John. You say it so well. Not one of us sees the world without our own filters. Influenced by too many on our journey passing through. Religion and governments playing a large part.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Chris. Critical thinking should be applied to all topics, including religion. But don't let the Archbishop of Canterbury know I said this.

[Chris Shaw]

Yes, he is one of the problems as are our universities who no longer teach critical thinking, just indoctrination. Whatever happened to healthy debate?

[Linda Marie Van Tassell]

Unfortunately, our filters, our blinders, are from the minds of others. We are so indoctrinated from a young age by society as a whole that I doubt we will ever truly know the magnitude of such influences. You've captured this well. The trick is to grow wise and mature enough to overcome the filters. Well done.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Linda. Yes, we are programmed from the gitgo. I don't know which is worse, the religion or the politics.

[Laz K.]

Perspective is everything...and perspective is determined by experience...so there are as many worlds as beings in the world...perhaps each possessing a piece of the Truth. All your poems are perfect little gems of wisdom - this one is no exception.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, and you're right. Perspective is determined by experience. Unfortunately, some of that experience is painful, but we can still learn from it.

[Soren]

So true John. Everyone seems to think that the only right view is theirs. Like light through a prism there are many colors to white light. Very nice, I truely enjoyed this one.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Soren. If there is anything a filter can't stand, it's white light.

[Archishman Rick]

Great meditation on the perceptions of mind. The mental belief system is the primary filter responsible for sour cherry-picking in the vast orchard of life. But then again the filters are relatable, and although I myself may be weighed down by these, the advice holds good no less, and is certainly worthy of imbibing. Kind regards.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. There is really no way to avoid filters, especially when you are young, but a road to enlightenment is being able to recognize when they are controlling you.

[Ayvid N]

We see the world through a thick lens of our lifelong conditioning, our experiences and biases. It must be very difficult to view the world in a clear, right and unfiltered way. It also set me thinking as to how it can be done. Perhaps, we cannot get perfect but we can get close. A great meditation John.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, D. From infancy on, we are bombarded with a mass of "truths" which we cannot evaluate because our critical faculties are not yet developed. Conflicting "truths" have caused the world much misery.

[Ayvid N]

Indeed, they have. You're most welcome, dear John.

[William Michael Reeves]

I think if we could see our lives without filters we might be traumatized. The more clearly we see the world, the more overwhelming it becomes. Interesting how the filters protect us while they obscure our view.

I hope you don't mind company while you meditate.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. I can see how filters might be protective in some situations, but the truth, while unpleasant at times, will ultimately set you free.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

sometimes no matter what filter we put in, the view is still the same...and it can be quite negative.
Unfortunate, but true.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, j. Unfortunately, some views will be uniformly negative. But we cannot let them dominate us.