Life is a Mirror: Reflecting Your Inner World
In the realm of personal growth and self-awareness, the concept that “life is a mirror” resonates deeply. This idea takes on profound significance from the perspective of the three principles—Mind, Consciousness, and Thought. It suggests that our life experience is not shaped by external circumstances but by our current thinking. What we believe is true manifests in our reality, reflecting back to us like a mirror.
Recapping the Three Principles Understanding:
- Mind: The universal intelligence behind life. It’s the source of all creation and the energy that animates all living things. It has many names. In the Tao, it is ‘that’ which can’t be named.
- Consciousness: This is the awareness of one’s existence and experiences. It allows us to perceive the world and our thoughts. Some refer to it as the ‘special effects’ department. Consciousness brings our experience to life.
- Thought: The power to create ideas and concepts. Our thoughts shape our perception of reality.
We are alive, aware of this aliveness, and have thoughts. These principles are universal in all of us and create our experiences of life. We are all subject to the principles like we are all subjected to gravity, but our individual experience is unique. Thus, we all live in separate realities.
These principles, when understood, reveal that our thoughts are the architects of our experience. The world we see is a projection of our inner dialogue, beliefs, and perceptions.
Life as a Reflective Surface
Imagine standing in front of a mirror. The image you see is an exact reflection of yourself. If you smile, the reflection smiles back. If you frown, the reflection frowns. This simple analogy illustrates how our thoughts and beliefs shape our reality.
When we hold on to negative thoughts—fear, doubt, anger—our experience of life becomes tinted with these emotions. We encounter situations and people that seem to confirm these feelings (confirmation bias in action). Conversely, when our thoughts are filled with love, gratitude, and optimism, we attract positive experiences and relationships (also confirmation bias in action).
My Journey with the Mirror of Life
In my journey, embracing the idea that my life at the moment is just a mirror of my thoughts has been transformative. There was a time when I felt trapped by circumstances, blaming external factors for my unhappiness. If only this or that were different, I would – fill in the blank. I was unaware that my inner dialogue was casting shadows over my reality.
One day, I came across a TEDx talk introducing the three principles. (You can watch that video here). The speaker, Micheal Neill, explained how my thoughts created my experience, not vice versa. It was more of an inside-out experience, not an outside-in as I had previously believed. Skeptical yet curious, I began to observe my thinking patterns. I noticed my days felt heavy and burdensome when I dwelled on negativity. But my world seemed to brighten when I consciously shifted my attention and followed the feeling of gratitude and positivity naturally.
I recall a particular instance when I was facing a challenging project in one of the volunteer organizations I work at. Initially, I was overwhelmed (a very familiar feeling at times) with self-doubt and fear of failure. Predictably, my efforts seemed futile, and progress was slow. However, remembering the principles, I decided to change my approach. I stepped back from the situation enough to get my overwhelmed thoughts to settle. When they began to settle, I noticed fresh and new thinking coming to me. What appeared as a problem that couldn’t be solved now had the opportunity for a solution or even the possibility of not being part of anything. That is what my experience is usually. What I perceived something as now looks totally different. Still the same circumstance but not a problem or issue. The by-product was noticing a sense of success and confidence in my abilities. Miraculously, opportunities and support appeared, and the project was completed successfully.
Embracing the Reflective Power of Thought
Understanding that life mirrors our thoughts empowers us to take control of our experiences. Here are a few steps to harness this power:
- Self-Observation: Pay attention to your thoughts. Notice patterns and recurring themes. This is our superpower.
- Shift Focus: Consciously redirect your attention away from your negative thoughts by not believing them to be true—which they are not! This is not replacing thought with more thought. It is letting go of the current thought and allowing something new and fresh. Physics tells us that no two objects can occupy the same space—no two thoughts can either.
- Mindfulness: Stay present. Allow your busy mind to settle ‘the way you know’ to do. After all, this is YOUR life, so BE you.
- Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself. Accept that negative thoughts are natural but do not have to define your reality. The words that you use only describe your experience at the moment and do not define you. You are NOT depressed; you are only experiencing depression. YOU are the one that makes the meaning of that experience.
The Reflective Dance of Life
Life is a mirror, reflecting our inner world with remarkable accuracy. By understanding and embracing the principles behind our experiences, we can embrace them with more compassion, not only for ourselves but also for others. Our experiences are not dictated by external circumstances but by our beliefs (thoughts) in each moment. As we cultivate a feeling for life, it becomes more of a practice in the “Art of Living.” We fall into a life that is positive and empowering, that reflects the beauty, joy, and abundance inherent within all of us.
So, stand before the mirror of life with confidence. Smile, and watch as the world smiles back at you.
Bonus Zen Lesson: Two Monks and The Woman
A master monk and his apprentice were travelling together. At one point, they came to a river with a very strong current. As the monks prepared to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her cross to the other side.
The two monks glanced at one another because they had taken vows not to touch a woman.
Then, without a word, the master picked up the woman, carried her across the river, placed her gently on the other side, and carried on his journey.
The apprentice couldn’t believe what had just happened. After rejoining his master, he was speechless, and an hour passed without a word between them.
Two more hours passed, then three. Finally, the apprentice could no longer contain himself and blurted out, “As monks, we are not permitted a woman. How could you then carry that woman across the river?”
The master looked at him and replied, “Young monk, I set her down on the other side of the river; why are you still carrying her?”
Love to hear what you are hearing, or if you have any questions, so please feel free to drop me a line or two in the comment or email me rickruppenthal@gmail.com
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Rick Ruppenthal | COACHING 
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