January/February 2010
January/February 2010
How Real is Real Life?
I am fascinated by quantum physics. Granted, if technical, I understand practically nothing of what I’ve read, but fortunately there are many books that are extremely accessible to a layman such as me. I also happen to enjoy the apparent connection between the quantum and the spiritual, and the deeper questions that quantum physics begs us to ask. If at a quantum level nothing is as solid as it seems, what is real?
Sometimes I find it fun to ponder the idea that my life is some form of virtual reality game. Maybe on some other planet, in an alternate universe, where one lifetime can last a hundred thousand years, the real me signed up to play the human virtual reality game for 90 years or so (virtual reality god willing), and here I am. Suppose The Human Game, created by a life game genius, is very popular this millennium - it is known to be difficult but rewarding if completed.
Would it change how we lived if we knew we were in some sort of virtual reality game? Would we take our lives as seriously or would we be a little more carefree and live and let live? Really, do we have any solid proof that our reality is as real as we think?
Sometimes I have periods of time that I actually feel that my life is less real than I have previously believed, and that I am taking it entirely too seriously. Strangely, when I feel less attached to the importance of my life, I feel much more free and happy. Mystics have been saying for thousands of years that our lives are just maya or illusion, but only a select few seem to be able to live their lives with such freedom
Perhaps such divine freedom can be cultivated. A little yoga, a little meditation, and maybe even some more video game playing to help us question how real is real life?
Jeffrey Mindell writes poems, articles, comics, and has even written a few books (unfortunately yet to be published). He can be reached at jmindell@gmail.com