“Be realistic.”
“You’re delusional.”
“Life doesn’t work that way.”
These phrases are the familiar refrains sung by the choir of the mainstream, often directed at those who dare to dream beyond the confines of accepted reality. Conscious reality creators – the individuals who visualize, affirm, and cultivate an unwavering belief in possibilities yet unseen – are frequently branded with the scarlet letter of “delusional.” But in this clash between the conventional and the audacious, it’s time to turn the looking glass back on the accusers and ask: who is truly living in a state of delusion?
The Standard Definition vs. a Dynamic Reality
By its clinical definition, a delusion is a fixed, false belief that is resistant to reason or evidence. It’s a departure from a shared understanding of reality. This definition, primarily rooted in psychology and psychiatry, serves a crucial purpose in identifying states of mind that may cause distress or impairment. A clinical delusion is a serious matter, often a symptom of underlying mental health conditions, and requires professional understanding and support.
However, the everyday use of the word “delusional” as a dismissive label for ambitious or unconventional thinking operates differently. It hinges on the premise of a fixed reality, a static, immutable external world that we all perceive and interact with in fundamentally the same way. The assumption is that there is one objective truth about “how life works,” and any belief deviating from this accepted norm is inherently false and therefore, delusional.
But what if this premise of a fixed reality is itself a limited perspective? What if reality, far from being a rigid construct, is a fluid, dynamic canvas that responds, at least in part, to the strokes of our belief, the focus of our attention, and the depth of our inner conviction? This is the fundamental assertion at the heart of conscious reality creation philosophies and practices. It doesn’t deny the existence of an external world, but it proposes that our internal state has a far more significant role in shaping our experience of that world and the outcomes we generate within it than is commonly acknowledged.
Historical Echoes: Visionaries vs. the ‘Realistic’ Mainstream
The history of human progress is, in many ways, a testament to the power of what was initially deemed “delusional” thinking by the prevailing mainstream. Breakthroughs and transformations rarely emerge from within the comfortable confines of accepted reality; they are born from the minds of those who dared to imagine beyond it.
Consider the monumental leap attempted by the Wright brothers. In an era when human flight was widely considered an absurd fantasy, defying the perceived limitations of gravity and mechanics, their conviction that humans could fly was, by the “realistic” standards of the time, utterly delusional. Scientists and engineers alike pointed to the insurmountable challenges. Yet, their unwavering belief, fuelled by relentless experimentation, observation, and an absolute refusal to accept the current reality as fixed, led to the first successful sustained flight. They didn’t just adapt to reality; they expanded it.
Galileo Galilei faced persecution for championing the heliocentric model of the solar system, placing the sun, not the Earth, at the centre. This contradicted the geocentric view endorsed by powerful religious and scientific institutions, a view deeply embedded in the collective understanding of reality for centuries. Galileo’s belief, supported by his observations through the telescope (a technology he improved), was considered heretical and delusional. His insistence on this “false belief,” however, ultimately shattered the old paradigm and laid the groundwork for modern astronomy, fundamentally changing humanity’s perceived place in the universe.
These historical figures, and countless others throughout history – from the abolitionists who believed in a world without slavery when it was deeply entrenched, to the suffragettes who envisioned a society where women had equal political rights, to the civil rights leaders who held fast to the dream of equality in the face of brutal segregation – were the conscious reality creators of their time.
They held a vision of a reality that did not yet exist in the common experience, a vision that was often ridiculed, feared, and labelled as irrational or delusional. But through the sheer force of their belief, their persistent action, and their ability to inspire others, they helped to bring those “delusional” visions into tangible existence.
They were, by the standards of their contemporaries, “delusional” because their beliefs did not align with the accepted “fixed false beliefs” of the time. But time, and the unfolding of reality, proved them to be the true realists – those who accurately perceived a potential reality that others could not or would not see.
The ‘Delusional’ Creator in Action
Today, the dynamic between the visionary and the conventionalist persists. The conscious reality creator engages in practices that might seem strange or unproductive to the uninitiated. They visualize their ideal life – be it one of financial abundance, vibrant health, deeply fulfilling relationships, a successful business, or powerful creative expression – with a clarity and conviction that often appears irrational to those who are tethered to their current circumstances.
They go beyond mere wishful thinking. They actively embody the feeling of the future they desire, aligning their emotional state in the present with the reality they are working to create. They use affirmations to reprogram limiting subconscious beliefs, focusing their thoughts and energy on possibilities rather than limitations. They take inspired action that feels aligned with their vision, even if the path isn’t always clear or logical from a conventional standpoint.
And frequently, the results speak for themselves. The “delusional” creators often manifest opportunities, resources, and circumstances that seem serendipitous or impossible to others. They navigate challenges with a different mindset, seeing them as temporary setbacks or even necessary steps rather than insurmountable barriers. They build lives that reflect their inner world, often achieving levels of success, happiness, and fulfilment that others, bound by their “realistic” limitations and fears, only ever wish for from a distance.
The ‘Realist’s’ Delusion: A Fixed Belief in Limitation
Conversely, the so-called “realists” often find themselves trapped in cycles of struggle, scarcity, and repetition. Their beliefs about reality – shaped by past failures, societal conditioning, a constant influx of negative news, and a deep-seated fear of the unknown and of potential disappointment – dictate their outcomes.
They believe life is inherently hard and a constant struggle. They believe opportunities are scarce and reserved for a lucky few. They believe that significant, positive change is an improbable fantasy, something that happens to other people, not to them. They intellectualize and rationalize their limitations, pointing to external factors as the sole determinants of their circumstances.
And because they believe these things with a conviction that rivals any clinical delusion, their reality obliges. Their beliefs act as self-fulfilling prophecies. They unconsciously sabotage opportunities that arise, dismiss serendipitous events as mere coincidence, and interpret challenges as definitive proof of their powerlessness. They dismiss the aspirations and methods of the conscious creator as naive fantasy, clinging fiercely to a narrative of limitation that they perceive as objective, unchangeable truth.
But is this not its own pervasive form of delusion? A fixed false belief in the impossibility of personal agency and transformative change, resistant to the overwhelming evidence throughout history and in contemporary life of humanity’s capacity for adaptation, innovation, and the deliberate shaping of circumstances, all driven by belief, vision, and persistent effort? The “realist’s” delusion is the quiet, insidious conviction that their current reality is the only possible reality, and that they are powerless to fundamentally alter its course.
The Psychology of Belief: Shaping Perception and Action
From a psychological perspective, the power of belief is well-documented. Our beliefs are not merely passive passengers in our minds; they are active architects of our perception and powerful influences on our behaviour. They form the cognitive framework through which we interpret the vast amount of information we receive from the world.
Our beliefs act as filters, determining what information we pay attention to, how we interpret it, and how we respond. If you hold a deep-seated belief that you are not capable or worthy of success, your reticular activating system (RAS) – a part of the brain that filters incoming information – will be cued to notice and highlight evidence that supports this belief.
You will unconsciously seek out and amplify instances of failure or rejection, while simultaneously downplaying, dismissing, or simply not even noticing evidence to the contrary – the small wins, the positive feedback, the potential opportunities. This creates a self-reinforcing loop where your belief shapes your perception, which in turn reinforces your belief, solidifying your perceived reality of inadequacy. This isn’t a clinical delusion, but it is a distorted perception of reality based on a fixed, limiting belief.
Conversely, if a conscious reality creator cultivates an unwavering belief in their ability to achieve a seemingly audacious goal, their perception of challenges and opportunities will be fundamentally different. Their RAS will be attuned to spotting resources, connections, and possibilities that align with their vision. They will interpret setbacks not as definitive proof of impossibility, but as temporary obstacles to be navigated or lessons to be learned. This positive feedback loop between belief, perception, and action fuels motivation and perseverance, significantly increasing the likelihood of achieving the desired outcome. Their belief doesn’t magically alter the external world independent of their actions, but it profoundly impacts their internal state, their behavioural choices, and their resilience, thereby influencing the unfolding of their reality.
Philosophical Reflections: Is Reality Truly Fixed?
Philosophical perspectives also weigh in on the complex nature of reality and the role of the observer. While mainstream Western thought has often been dominated by forms of metaphysical realism, which posits an objective reality existing independently of the mind, other schools of thought offer alternative views.
Idealist philosophies, for instance, in various forms, suggest that reality is fundamentally mental or consciousness dependent. While not directly equating conscious reality creation with the complex tenets of philosophical idealism, there’s an intriguing resonance in the idea that our minds, our consciousness, our beliefs, thoughts, and intentions, can have a far more significant and active role in shaping our experience of the world than a purely materialist or strictly realist view might allow.
Even within physics, particularly at the quantum level, the role of the observer and the dynamic nature of reality are subjects of ongoing fascinating discussion. While these explorations are far removed from the everyday practice of conscious creation, they hint at a universe that may be far less fixed and far more interactive with consciousness than traditional, macroscopic views of reality suggest.
The Social Cost of ‘Realism’ and the Fear of Delusion
The mainstream’s often-vehement insistence on “being realistic” serves a powerful, albeit often unconscious, social function. It acts as a mechanism of social control, a way to maintain the status quo and discourage deviations from the collective norm. It is a comfortable, albeit frequently limiting, consensus reality built on shared assumptions, historical inertia, and a collective fear of stepping into the unknown.
To challenge this consensus reality, to suggest that individual belief and intention can play a significant role in shaping one’s experience and outcomes, can be deeply unsettling to those who have heavily invested in the “realistic” narrative of limitation. It requires individuals to confront the possibility that their own limiting beliefs, rather than fixed external circumstances, may be the primary causes of their current reality. This can be a confronting realization, as it shifts responsibility from external factors to internal states.
The fear of being labelled “delusional” is a powerful deterrent that keeps many from pursuing their grandest visions. Nobody wants to be seen as out of touch, irrational, or foolish. The potential for failure is undeniably real, and the judgment and ridicule of others can be a significant emotional hurdle. The label “delusional,” in its everyday dismissive use, carries significant social stigma and can be deeply isolating.
However, the alternative – living a life constrained by the “realistic” expectations of others, never daring to reach for what feels deeply possible within, suppressing one’s most ambitious dreams for fear of judgment – may be the greater, more tragic delusion. It is the delusion of believing in your own inherent powerlessness, in the fixedness of your circumstances, and in the impossibility of creating a reality that aligns with your deepest desires and highest potential. It is the delusion of accepting a life that is less than what you are capable of, simply because it conforms to a widely accepted, yet ultimately limiting, version of “reality.”
Conscious Creation: Not Denial, But Alignment
It is crucial to reiterate that conscious reality creation, as discussed in this context, is not about denying external circumstances or engaging in magical thinking divorced from effort and responsibility. It is not about ignoring problems or pretending that challenges don’t exist.
Instead, it is about recognizing the profound and dynamic interplay between our inner world and our outer experience. It is about consciously and deliberately choosing our beliefs, focusing our attention and energy on desired outcomes rather than fixating on problems, and taking inspired, aligned action from a place of conviction, possibility, and proactive creation, rather than reacting to circumstances from a place of fear, limitation, and powerlessness. It is a practice of actively aligning our internal reality – our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intentions – with the external reality we wish to experience and create. It acknowledges that while we may not control every external event, we have significant agency in how we perceive, interpret, and respond to those events, and that this agency is profoundly shaped by our beliefs.
Embracing the ‘Delusion’: The True Path to Potential
So, if you are one of those individuals who are dreaming big, setting audacious goals, practicing visualization and affirmation, and diligently working to align your inner world with your highest aspirations, do not shrink to fit the narrow confines of someone else’s version of “realistic.” Do not let the fear of being called “delusional” by those who are comfortable in their limitations deter you from the path of conscious creation.
Embrace the label, if it is offered, as a sign that you are daring to think and live beyond the conventional boundaries. Understand that the most significant form of delusion is often the widespread, deeply ingrained belief in our own limitations – the belief that we are passive recipients of a fixed reality, powerless to shape our circumstances beyond a narrow, predetermined scope. This belief, more than any external obstacle, is what keeps individuals trapped in lives that are a pale imitation of their potential.
Stay “delusional” in the eyes of those who have surrendered to a limited view of reality. Continue to visualize the impossible, affirm the unseen, and believe in the power of your inner world to influence your outer experience. Engage in the consistent, inspired action that bridges the gap between your current reality and your desired future. Cultivate resilience, learn from setbacks, and maintain your focus on the possibilities that exist beyond the horizon of the commonly accepted.
Reality, in its mysterious, dynamic, and potentially consciousness-responsive nature, just might catch up to your vision. And when it does, when your “delusional” dreams manifest in tangible ways, the world will once again bear witness to the fact that the greatest leaps forward, the most inspiring transformations, and the most fulfilling lives are often created by those who were once considered out of touch, irrational, and yes, wonderfully, powerfully, unapologetically delusional. The only true and limiting delusion is believing that reality is a fixed, unchangeable cage, when in fact, it is a dynamic canvas awaiting the vibrant brushstrokes of your most audacious beliefs and your committed action.
