The dials, the dashboard & beyond

Since ancient times, technology has provided metaphors for perception.

For Zhuangzi, experience was like a dream and for Plato, dancing shadows on a wall. In Buddhism, what we see is like a reflection in a mirror in desperate need of a polish.

In theatre, all the world became a stage, and with cinema, a projection on a screen. The brain has been compared to a radio receiving transmissions, and later, computer simulations.

Several cultures agree; perception veils as much as it reveals.

Bernardo compares our experience to an airplane dashboard. This array of monitors and dials does give real information about what is "out there." But a metric it not the experience it measures. The number indicating humidity or temperature, whilst vital for survival, is nothing like the feeling of being dry or moist, hot or cold.

In Bernardo's model, the heavens and earth represent the subjective experience of "Mind at Large" - the part of universal consciousness that we perceive from across a dissociative boundary.

The consciousness on both sides, however, is the same. The separation an illusion some traditions attempt to see through.

I ran a quick poll on our telegram group to see which topic to discuss this week - Jung's Answer to Job and the Dashboard & Spirituality were equally on top.

For Bernardo, James Hollis is the greatest living proponent of Jungian psychology, and we've now confirmed his as guest for December. So it makes sense to save Jungian themes for closer to that time.

This week, we discuss the dashboard, it's relationship to reality, spiritual practice and revelation.

Asking questions

Everyone is welcome to propose questions using the comments section below. Questions are selected based on relevance and audience vote. As such, make sure to write your question so that most can understand what you mean!

• Give it a short CLEAR TITLE in capital letters.
• Write an optional short description of what your question is about.
• Share further reflections below if you want, but if selected, aim for brevity when asking to help the flow of the discussion.

Also make sure to read the other questions and 'heart' the ones you are most curious about!

I look forward to seeing you on my dashboard soon,

With appreciation,

Amir

Zoom link

Tues 13th October, 2026
6-8pm UK time / 7-9pm CET / 1-3pm EST