Question #18: What is reality?

Blacky's question: What is reality?

Current mood: microscopic

Now that's a question I can sink my beak into!

Reality, Blacky, is the projection of your beliefs. For example, if you believe the world is flat then in 'your' reality you'll imagine yourself floating blissfully through space on a giant pancake . . . that is, until you bump up against an experience that tells you otherwise and in response you change your belief. (e.g., with your keen skills of observation you notice that objects disappear and reappear over the horizon, and then with your enormous intellect you conclude one of two things: 1. if objects disappear and reappear over the horizon, the surface of the planet must be curved, not flat; or 2. there's a great wizard who lives in a magical cauliflower forest whose job it is to make things at a great distance appear and disappear for our amusement).

Here's another example . . . let's say you believe you're a loser. In response to this belief you'll unconsciously sabotage your efforts to be successful thereby proving yourself right over and over again. (Or you could just be a loser.)

Perception, my friend, is everything.

As we all know, the nature of physical reality includes the experience of cause and effect, beginnings and endings, and separation (i.e., the chair is separate from the table. I am separate from the chair, etc.). But what if I were to tell you that reality spans way beyond the physical world?

You'd probably say something like, "Aw Steve, you crazy bird, you don't know what you're talking about." And then I'd say, "Lest I remind you that you're having a conversation with a bird . . . (dramatic pause) . . . and you're sober." At which point you begin to drool.

For thousands of years the Raven Clan has had a special relationship with certain humans. Today you call these humans "shamans." We've traditionally referred to them as "Phil." These shamans, gifted with the ability to vision, know how to travel with their consciousness to the infinite realm of non-physical reality. Ravens have played the role of tour guide, if you will, helping shamans navigate from this world to the other world and back again.

Shamans would say that non-physical reality is actually more real than physical reality. When they travel to this place they find that the logic of the physical world no longer applies. They can communicate with the essence or spirit of anything. Just ask the people native to South America how they created their complex pharmacy of surprisingly effective plant medicines without ever stepping foot on a college campus. They'd tell you that for hundreds of years their plant shamans have been traveling to non-physical reality and communicating with the spirits of the plants - who would in turn would tell them how they could be used and prepared to cure the people of the shaman's community. For tens of thousands of years magic of this kind was an everyday part of life.

And then the Christians came and killed all the shamans.

And perceptions of reality shrank like a penis in icy water as life for many humans became embedded with fear.

Which gave rise to rebellious rational thinkers who created a box for perceptions to live in. It's a sturdy box constructed of solid empirical data that neatly demonstrates the nature of physical reality.

Sure a box is nice, but aren't you curious what's outside the box?

Thanks for your question Blacky!

Send your questions to SteveTheRaven@tds.net

The Steve Collection: Jesus-inspired fashion

Current mood: gay

"And Jesus said unto his flock, 'For it is important that your garments demonstrate who thou art in the eyes of the Lord. I suggest using yards and yards of pink fabric and maybe some velcro. And I command thee to make it work or thou shalt be condemned to cleaning up Courtney Love's vomit for all of eternity, which is a very, very long time.'" Matthew 36:24:36

Question #17: Do birds fart?

Sam’s question: Hi Steve. I'm curious . . . Do birds fart?

Current mood: oxymoronic

Yes, Sam, birds fart. Where do you think clouds come from?

Thanks for your question ! Email me with your question stevetheraven@tds.net

Question #16: How to stop being 'unpleasant'

Woodguy's question: How do I not be a shithead?

Current mood: extravagant

That's a hell of a question Woodguy. The good news is . . . admitting you're a shithead is the first step.

The next step requires measuring tape.

Step 2: Measure the circumference of your skull.

•  If your skull is large and bulbous (24" or greater) you'll need a shoe horn and the help of a friend or close family member.
•  For a narrow, more oblong skull (8" to 23.5"), you'll need some twine and a door with a round metal doorknob.

Step 3: Using the above-referenced tools, gently pull your head out of your ass.

Step 4: Take a shower using soap and water.

My hope, Woodguy, is that shitheads everywhere will benefit from the braveness of your humility.

Let me know how it goes !

Send your question to stevetheraven@tds.net