Complex Map
This is a complex map of reality. There is also a simpler Map of Reality.
General Definitions
This type of reality Maps is very personal and dependant on the characteristics and architecture of each individual and how they perceive reality at any given point in time. This is dependant on either their subconscious ‘Rules’ or if they are taking control of their reality map their conceptual thought structure, in the simple Map of Reality the Thought.
The diagram indicates this by showing that the maps change over time, in small degrees or significantly in the event of a major viewpoint change. In order to realise what your map is (at any point in time) you need to make an effort to think about it, much of the map or a typical human is hardwired due to that persons personality and belief structure and in the control of (or at least stored within) the Mind Machine.
Thinking about it is really assessing what your Mind Machine currently defines your reality as (often on your behalf but without your complete agreement). It is possible then to instruct your mind machine to make adjustments or if you apply Supra-Agnosticism at its highest level to swap in another Reality Map entirely as the need or whim arises.
Parameters
Overall Size is dependent on the awareness processing capacity, imagination, and open mindedness of the individual at a point in time. Perceived ring size is what the individual subjectively thinks is the reality and most often is wrong for example:
- They may define the immediate me to include things that are not under their control.
- Or they may under-estimate the size of the immediate outside.
- Or they may believe that there is some form of stability to the rings over time.
Actual ring size is the objective statement of how big the rings are, in reality this is hard to define as some require positions of belief and others understanding of the nature of interaction between other individuals’ realities. It could be said though that if you accurately define and understand your own personal reality map you may achieve a feeling of satisfied self-awareness or at the very least smugness.
The Layers
The Eternal Me
Also referred to as “The Soul” or level -1
If there were a soul or some form of existence that transcends this mortal coil, then it would exist at the core of the reality map upon which all other layer’s rest. An exercise to determine if such a thing exists is with the scope of Probability Gaps and specifically the Soul Search Project.
The Immediate Me
Also referred to as ‘The Driving Seat’ or ‘DS’ or level 0 or in the simple Map of Reality the Inside the Self (The me)
These are aspects of the self, one has, or appear to have, total control over.
Essentially at the very simplest level: The Consciousness manifesting in the Now, i.e., in the present moment. This can be seen as the seat of free will, or the driving seat of the identity.
Some studies have indicated that while the brain (and nervous system) itself is able to multi-task the consciousness can not although this is explored in more depth in The Mind’s Structure.
Dependant on the developmental level of the individual, the Me may have varying capabilities of power and control. This determines whether the individual truly drives their life or at the lowest level just rides the machine, occasionally swerving away from hazards and towards delights.
Not Me
Also referred to as the outside universe or ‘OU’ and encompasses levels 1 to 3, in the simple Map of Reality the Outside the self (The not me).
This is all and Everything that one does not have total control over but may be able to exercise some influence over or interact with at the very least.
All that which is outside of ‘Me’ including aspects of what would normally be considered part of person, for example, the subconscious, instincts, the body etc. as none of these can be totally controlled in a normal human being.
The Mind Machine
Also referred to as the engine or ‘Under the Hood’ or level 1.
These are aspects of the Not Me that are most directly linked to the Me and provides both overt and covert input into how the Me ‘free will and thinking’ functions work. It includes all the following aspects: -
- Memory
- Emotion
- Processing skills, such as mathematical ability
- Subconscious
- Instincts
- Sensory processing
- Body feedback processing
Effectively it is all of the extended functions within the brain that serve the Me and provide the interface to the rest of the outside universe including via the body, these are explored in the topics The Mind’s Structure and Fine Tuning The Mind Machine.
The Body
Also referred to as the 'Vehicle' or level 2.
In short, the body, the automatic processes and systems of the human body including: -
- The physical body itself
- The senses
The interface between the Mind Machine and the rest of the Outside Universe. The topic Controlling the Body explores aspects of this ring of reality.
The Immediate Outside
Also referred to as the ‘Outer Reach’ or level 3.
These are the aspects of Outside the self, we can touch and influence and thus (apart from the lower levels in normal humans) the most real aspects of our reality map.
Subjectively (perceived ring size) it is everything that we believe we can influence from our immediate domestic environments to our friends and families all the way up to our impact on world politics and possibly beyond. Objectively (actual ring size) it is what we can actually influence.
A lack of alignment between perceived and actual ring size, is as mentioned potentially problematic, in this ring particularly. Your Outer Reach explores aspects of this problem.
The Real
Also referred to as the ‘Trusted Beliefs’ or level 4.
These are all the areas of the universe that you trust are real but are beyond your Outer Reach to verify they are real.
In this area is scope for the largest deceptions in the reality map and everything in this area should be regarded as probable or possible but not actual (at least in some reality maps).
That said self-deception is possible at all levels of a Reality Map unfortunately including level 0 in the case of child people see Levels of awareness or possibly those that are mentally ill.
External deception is also possible but harder the lower the level although the techniques and principles of Invulnerability Theory can mitigate this to some degree.
The Known
Also refereed to as the ‘Fiction Zone’ or level 5.
At the edge of what an individual regards as Real is the border of the real and beyond that are concepts, ideas, stories and even events that the individual is aware of but is certain that they are not real.
This border is often manipulated by external influencers from the parent who convinces a child that Father Christmas is real to a politician who defines the truth in alignment with their agenda rather then a more accurate measure.
If one has a very diverse imagination this layer can be quite extensive. Utilising its full power it is one of the steps on the path to Supra- agnosticism or another conceptual Thought structure.
The Unknown
There are many things that exist within reality or as a concept, that an individual is not aware of and this for them is the unknown. It is probably the biggest area of all and for some the most concerning.
It is a wonder of all our realities and the other end of the scale of Probability Gaps and specifically the location of the clues required for the God Search Project.
Other Concepts
The Border of Me
The limit of absolute control that an individual has over their self, the aspect of awareness where is possible to achieve Freedom of Choice.
Most individuals may define the point where they end (Me) and the universe begins (not Me) as the edge of their physical body.
Some may define the point as the edge of their mind and include all their emotions, memories, and mental skills as part of who they are. This definition seeks to point where all influences on decisions are known fully and is explored more fully in the topic Inside the Self (The me).
The Border of the Real
The limit of what an individual regards as real, this can be completely different from what another individual regards as real, for example a theist has a border that extends into the supernatural and beyond death.
What an individual wants to consider their Border, from a logical point of view, may not be what their Mind Machine considers the border. Ingrained belief, biases, emotions, and instincts can make core beliefs exist that the Me denies from an apparent logical standpoint.
The Borders of the Known
The limit of what is known by the individual. This is the outer limit of all concepts, ideas and stories that are known to the individual. In encompasses all the aspects that the individual regards as real as well those that they believe they know are unreal.
Anything outside this border be it fact or fiction is simply know known by the individual, whatever it is could exist or not in whatever reality is.
The Progression of Time
An individual’s reality map is a state engine that changes over time, perceptions of reality and the associated maps in the past are subject to memory of the past, memory is something not fully in control of the Me.
The issue with memory of all aspects of the reality map including Thought is discussed in the Memory Problem.