Beyond the Surface: Fragments of an Ascetic Mind

How would you feel if you were told that everything you believe to be reality is merely an extension of your mind? The world we live in is governed by countless rules—rules that shape not only our actions but also our perceptions. Yet, at the core of it all, the mind is the true architect. Reality is not set in stone; it is fluid, molded by the frameworks we accept. Think about it, when a child is born, society has collectively agreed that the next step is to give them a name. It feels natural, unquestionable, but it is just blindly following what others do. But as that child grows, they might choose to change their name, proving that what we once deemed significant was never absolute. The name was never tied to their essence, it was merely an agreement, a convention. If we claim a name as a natural implication, what of a girl named Mercy but she is ruthless in her dealings with people. So, what's the relationship between you and the name you were given? There is none. A boy named Samson is not inherently connected to the name "Samson." The words we use, the things we believe, and the way we interpret the world are all shaped by what we were told. We do not perceive reality objectively—we perceive it through layers of conditioning. Our thoughts and everything we see is subjected to the attack of the junks that as invaded our mind. Consider this: When you ask your African mother, "Should I do the dishes?" and she replies, "You should not," you immediately understand that she means the opposite. Conventionally, the words imply that you don’t need to do the dishes. But within the cultural framework you were raised in, they carry an unspoken threat, a command in disguise. This is the power of perception. Language itself is a construct, and meaning is not inherent but agreed upon. So, if even our words are built upon shared illusions, what does that say about the reality we accept without question?