Is reality defined within physical and measurable parameters? Can one discern the boundaries of truth by ruling out supernatural elements as fiction? Should we accept metaphysical factors as fringe science?
Human nature drives us to boast of our ability to discern truth with our senses. But in reality, our mortal experience is something of an illusion.
Believe only what you can see or touch?
Skeptics of the supernatural often view reality as limited to tangible data. A blue stone absorbs every light wavelength except blue. Our eyes receive refracted light wavelengths of every color except the one absorbed by the object we “see.”We see the one color frequency the rock does not hold. Therefore, a “blue” rock is actually anything but the blue color we perceive. In essence, the world is colored more by what we do not see. We only see the light which isn’t there at all.
All senses receive signals and transmit neurological data to the brain, which interprets the information. Neuroscience and illusionists concur on the fallible nature of our brain’s interpretation of input. We can sense things which aren’t there and fail to sense things right at our side.
In fact, the solidity of an object remains a matter of perspective. A tree trunk feels solid to the human hand, but offers a habitat for tiny organisms. Consider the microcosms imperceptible to our senses. Subatomic particles comprise all physical matter. Energy flows through structures, people, and the earth. No need to classify the invisible as fringe subject material.
Mainstream science defines the universe as a symphonic masterpiece of extrasensory components.
Paranormal enthusiasts embrace the existence of metaphysical elements. Psychic phenomena support theories of expanded brain capability. Cryptozoologists insist extraordinary life forms dwell among us. I don’t plan to join a seance or hunt for Sasquatch, but
a glint of reality shimmers in the search for paranormal evidence.
The mind of man, created in God’s image, does wield power few of us realize. And beings more astonishing than yeti dwell among us.
Dictionary.com lists several intriguing definitions for reality, none of which limit the term to physical existence.
- something that exists independently of ideas concerning it.
- something that exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive.
- something that is real.
- something that constitutes a real or actual thing, as distinguished from something that is merely apparent.
Reality exists beyond our mortal illusion. The physical, tangible, measurable realm cannot contain the whole truth. Not even most of it. We see the hints of reality through our limited perspective. Creation bears the signature of its Creator. The Truth Himself, who “exists independently of all other things and from which all other things derive.”
Deep within our souls, we recognize the reality of something more.
We admire the dawn because its brilliance resonates with our innate spiritual recognition of sovereign glory. We shudder in the dark, because there really are fearful things in the unseen places. Skeptics and believers alike need only open their minds to discover the unseen truth. The tangible is an illusion at best. Reality is supernatural.
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrews 11:3).
@article {Dictionary.com2016,
title = {Dictionary.com Unabridged},
month = {Aug},
day = {18},
year = {2016},
url = {http://www.dictionary.com/browse/reality},
}