Hi Jeff,
Thanks - and no problem ... I enjoy open discussion, too, but sometimes,
it begins to feel like the "movement-for-movement's-sake" which you
previously cautioned was wasteful.
Regarding your questions ...
> how do I , without a doubt, know it's any more real than an idea I have?
Perhaps an example will help. I remember you mentioning you have a
daughter, so let's pretend one day, she climbs on top of the roof of your
house with a cape draped over her shoulders. "I am Super-Girl!" she
exclaims, "And I can fly!"
OK ... what do you do as a father? Do you say, "Sweetie, you're
absolutely right! Even though my perceptions tell me you'll break your
neck if you jump off the roof, well, we both know that perceptions are
limiting, and that we can have more power in ideas. So, yes ... leap off
and fly, my dear, and prove once and for all that scientists have blinded
themselves with their limited view of reality!"
Now, as much as you come across as a true believer in human potential, I
highly doubt you would encourage your daughter to jump.
I'm not trying to say that we should not hope and dream extraordinary,
even super-natural things. All I'm saying is that there has to be
common-sense, REALISTIC limits. Granted, it is true that most people
don't live up to their potentials, because of self-limiting beliefs, and
I'm all for helping them overcome their limitations and succeeding in
their goals and dreams.
But we have to draw the line when someone takes this to an irrational
extreme and begins to suggest that we can summarily ignore all "natural
laws" just because they're a product of our perceptions and don't
represent anything fundamentally "real." Encouraging someone along that
route would be as irresponsible and hurtful as if you encouraged your
daughter to jump off your roof.
We need a balance: if you want to fly (based on super-natural desires),
then build a pair of wings (and conform to natural laws).
Limiting beliefs can hold back many from reaching their full potential.
But unrealistic beliefs don't serve them any better, and indeed, can even
result in broken necks.
Best,
HF