What is reality? Reality is everything that we can sense and perceive as logical. At the simplest level, reality is that which we can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. Everything that is tangible is reality. However, distortions can occur within what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch and with how we perceive these sensations. Just because something can be sensed does not make it reality. The second part of reality depends on the perceiver’s sense of logic. It is up to the individual to sort through all the sensations that they feel and determine what logically can and cannot be reality. Therefore, reality is determined by the mind. This does not mean that simply because you think something it becomes reality. The effects heat and exhaustion can create on someone stranded in the dessert that cause them to believe they see an oasis when really there is nothing is an example of a weakening of the mental state of the individual. In this instance, the mind cannot clearly discern what is logically possible and what is not. Thus, just because the individual believes they can see an oasis, it does not mean it exists. Likewise, dreams are not reality. We may see things in dreams, but they are not reality. Dreams are a positive example of the mind not being able to determine what is logical and what is illogical. On the other hand, the effects that some drugs have can be seen as the opposite end of the spectrum. Reality is not restricted to physical things. Ideas can be reality as well. A prime example of this is rule, or law. Rules and laws cannot physically be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or tasted. While you may be able to see the ink that makes these ideas “official,” the actual limitation cannot be seen, but it is accepted as reality.
