Addiction to Simulation: Staying real within the fake

Haven't you noticed that on social medial one can never tell the realness of a person, background, or even an advertisement? I've seen cows talking, cats dancing, vistas and valleys, all with computer animation. Many tweets from politicians, celebrities, sports figures are not authentic, and yet we seem to accept the fakery as normal.

When watching a press conference, does it feel staged, scripted, or authentic? How do we trust our discernment and distinguish between real and not real? Do you believe that it is becoming a challenge when the lines are so blurred?

One of the main themes I see in the Get Centered practice is situations with teens posting pictures on their social medial accounts. I often ask to see how accurate is their representation of the "real" self? It is extraordinary that the person sitting on the couch in my office closely resembles the image projected on to a media account. In some cases there is no likeness at all.

What often happens as a result of posting a simulated narrative, appearance, or action photo or reel is the dissonance that happens cognitively and internally. How can one maintain the false image, and what does one do to sustain that image?

What are some ways that we can tune in and avoid the world of simulations, or at least, be able to tell real from fake. Here's what I would suggest. Spend time outdoors in natural settings. This is a key way to enliven your senses, and remember our deep roots to the earth. Spend time in silence, away from electronics and wi-fi. It is important to disengage from electronic and magnetic fields to build coherence between your heart and brain. Read a book, and have meaningful conversations that life you up, or deepen your soul.

Make reality fun!