Is perception reality?

Perception is how one perceives Reality. Perception differs according to the person how one perceives a certain situation. This is why the same incident draws different reactions.

You can change perception by training the mind, but reality remains Reality in the Present moment. Reality is NOW, and perception is how we perceive the NOW!

A picture speaks a thousand words, and the following picture should make the difference clear enough:

Now, let us understand practically. Please go ahead and comment what do you see in the above picture. Are you able to make out the difference between perception and reality?

No cheating, please!

Look at the real answer ahead only and only when you have commented/answered the question above.

Above picture has two different perceptions (one leading to happiness and another leading to frustration) due to a single reality. The reality is fairly simple — There is a tree with some leaves falling on the road and pavement.

This is why we have to be aware of our emotions. If we are unaware of our emotions and keep reacting to them, they shape our reality.

As we become more aware of emotions, we get closer to the authentic reality that exists beyond thoughts and emotions. We start responding rather than reacting to external situations. Life becomes a flow rather than a bumpy road.

Love and Peace! :-)