Following on from Part 1, our thoughts and the ability to think should be a tool; we should not be slaves to them. Overthinking is like writing a cheque for a debt you do not yet owe, if at all. Due to the amount of overthinking that is done in addition to what we can be socioculturally influenced by, more and more ‘filters’ are added to our vision. The vision of reality is therefore interpreted from those filters and thoughts as opposed to experienced.

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These filters can come under the form of beliefs also. Beliefs can be traps, which are not always in accordance with fact, no matter how strong that belief is. For instance, you may strongly believe what someone is saying, but if he is lying, then this invalidates your belief, regardless of how strong it was to begin with. Believing in something generally means not having evidence to support it. It is important to have the approach of an attorney or an empirical scientist; collect and examine all evidence before making an informed decision. This is where you either know, or you do not know yet. Beliefs are not facts; beliefs are strong opinions; opinions are thoughts; opinions do not change facts.

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Every individual is unique and has different experiences that further develops their uniqueness, though this can often be prevented from factors such as conformity, which can be influenced by factors such as our upbringings, work culture, or other beliefs and values held, influenced by the media, which can serve to limit our uniqueness. Interpretation of reality is therefore not experience of reality; it simply acts as an analytical filter. An example of this is learning how to swim from a book; you may think you know intellectually, how to swim, but it is only when you get into the water, do you know whether you can or not. It is like having somebody describe what an orange tastes like to someone who has never eaten one; how will they truly know what it tastes like if they have never eaten one before, or any other item of food, for that matter? They will never know unless they eat an orange.

Meditation is a key way of clearing out the clutter of our minds in order to be able to perceive more clearly, whilst observing the thoughts that pass, without allowing them to influence our frame of being, whilst being able to better connect with our surroundings. Of course, meditation comes in many different forms, which can suit different people; it's all about finding the right kind for you.

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Nature, as stated in Part 1, is true reality. It is far removed from human biases. Animals are a part of nature; their experience of reality is exactly that; an experience. They are connected with and around each other; the indigenous people of this world have such a connection and have a far more profound understanding and perhaps more of a deeper appreciation of life.

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So when you are able to spend time in nature, unencumbered of the floods of thoughts and sociocultural influences, you will begin to connect with the Universe, where you will be able to dive in further and enjoy more profound and deeper experiences that await.

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After all, the world that we live in and the Earth that we live on are two different places.