Reality Is Not An Illusion

Illusions run our lives . . . until we recognize them as illusions.

 Grasshopper Notes are the writings from America's Best Known Hypnotherapist John Morgan. His podcasts contain his most responded to essays and blog posts from the past two decades. 

Find the written versions of these podcasts on John's podcasting site: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1628038

"The Grasshopper" is the part of you that whispers pearls of wisdom that  seem to pop into your mind from out of the blue. John's essays and blog posts are his interpretations of these "Nips of Nectar." Others have labeled his writings as timeless wisdom. 

Most of the John's writings revolve around self improvement and self help. They address topics like:

• Mindfulness
• Peace of mind
• Creativity
• How to stay in the present moment
• Spirituality
• Behavior improvement

And stories that transform you to a wider sense of awareness that presents more options. And isn't that what we all want, more options? 

John uploads these podcasts on a regular basis. So check back often to hear these podcasts heard around the world. Who wants to be the next person to change? 

Make sure to order a copy of John's new book: WISDOM OF THE GRASSHOPPER – 21 Days to Creativity. These mini-meditations take you inside where all your creative resources live. And you'll come out not only refreshed but recommitted to creating your future. 

It's only $16.95 and available at BLURB.COM at the link below. https://www.blurb.com/b/10239673-wisd...

Also, download John's FREE book INTER RUPTION: The Magic Key To Lasting Change. It's available at John's website  https://GrasshopperNotes.com

Transcript

Reality Is Not An Illusion

We spend most of our lives living in illusion.

And illusion is born in a very simple place — the gap between reality . . . and our interpretation of reality.

Reality is straightforward. It's what happens.

It’s raining. The sun is out. Your friend leaves a message.

That’s reality.

The moment we add commentary — now we’ve stepped away from it.

“It’s a miserable rainy day.” “It’s a gorgeous sunny day.”

Notice what happened? The rain and the sun were neutral. We dressed them up.

That’s the first clue we’ve left reality — we’ve added meaning.

And when our interpretation doesn’t line up with what actually happened, illusion is born.

Here’s how fast that happens.

Your friend calls, leaves a message and says she can’t make dinner. “Something came up. I’ll explain next week.”

That’s reality.

But then the story starts . . .

“She didn’t want to go.”“She waited until I was out so she didn’t have to tell me person to person.” “She thinks I’m an idiot.”

And now we’re off and running. Adding details. Adding motives. Adding certainty.

But here’s the only facts: She called. She canceled. She said she’d explain later. Period.

Everything else? Interpretation.

And illusion is what happens when we start believing our interpretation is the truth.

It’s just one possibility out of thousands.

There’s a principle in Neuro-linguistic Programming that says, “The map is not the territory.”

The map is our interpretation. The territory is what actually is.

We spend most of our lives arguing with the territory while clinging to the map.

But the stone in your shoe? That’s real. The quarter you find on the sidewalk? Also real.

They didn’t come from the map. They came from reality.

We think we’re wise when we figure out the “real reason” something happened.

But maybe the wisest conclusion is the simplest one:

What happened . . . is what happened.

When we stop spinning reality, we stop manufacturing illusion.

And when we respond to what’s actually in front of us — instead of reacting to the story in our head — life gets simpler.

Fewer imaginary battles. More options. More peace.

Reality isn’t the problem.

Our rendition of it usually is.

All the best,

John