Advanced Ideas on Reality Surfing
Character is destiny.
Heraclitus
In my previous blog post, I introduced some ideas that could conceivably be misinterpreted or distorted. I mentioned that reality is more like quicksand and shifting sands than a solid, impersonal fabric or structure that obeys Newtonian laws of physics, for example. I mentioned that our perceptions define our reality and that we each live in our own bubble of perception. I advocated the necessity to become a “reality surfer,” as it were — to ride the currents and flowing energies of reality as a surfer rides the ocean waves on their surfboard.
Clearing Up Misconceptions on Reality Surfing
These ideas can be misconstrued to justify an amoral, unscrupulous, and unprincipled lifestyle or to get ahead by any means necessary. The “shifting sands” of reality could be mistaken for a justification for a shifty personality lacking substance or integrity. The idea of the “psychological feedback loop” and the avoidance of the “downward spiral” in life could be taken to mean that one should have no empathy or humanity towards others and that one should live a blinkered life, focusing only on things that give off a “feel good” vibe, while ignoring anything that seems negative or off-putting.
Let me state emphatically and clearly that this is not what I am arguing for. In fact, my point is the very opposite.
Character and Destiny
Another way to describe the concept that we each live in a reality that is, in fact, a subjective mental construct or projection, or that we live in a bubble of our own perceptions, largely driven by our state of mind, is the quote by the Pre-Socratic Ephesian (Greek) philosopher, Heraclitus, that “character is destiny.”
Interestingly, one of the core concepts in Heraclitus’ philosophy is the fluidity of the universe arising out of the merging of conflicting dualities:
Diogenes Laërtius summarizes Heraclitus’s [sic.] philosophy as follows: “All things come into being by the conflict of opposites, and the sum of things (τὰ ὅλα ta hola (‘the whole’)) flows like a stream.” Classicist Jonathan Barnes states that “Panta rhei, ‘everything flows’ is probably the most familiar of Heraclitus’s [sic.] sayings, yet few modern scholars think he said it”.
Wikipedia contributors. “Heraclitus.”
Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 8 Feb. 2026. Web. 8 Feb. 2026.
If “character is destiny” (Heraclitus) or “as within, so without” (Hermes Trismegistus), then that essentially means that your experience of life is a projection or reflection of who you are as a person, of your internal state. In other words, your thoughts, attitude, and your conscious and subconscious expectations shape your experience of life — how your mind projects your reality for you. However, the corollary is also true: you have it in you to change and reshape your character — who you are — and, thereby, your destiny — what you become — through your personal choices and actions in life.
Essentially, if one is amoral, unscrupulous, heartless, and lacking in humanity or empathy, then one’s reality will reflect one’s nature. Similarly, if one is judgmental, rigid, or dogmatic, one will experience a reality that corresponds with one’s inclinations. The same applies if one is hateful, angry, bigoted, or egocentric. And, by the same token, if one is compassionate, considerate, empathetic, principled, humane, honest, and having integrity, while also being open-minded, open to growth, learning, and self-improvement, one’s destiny will reflect one’s character — at least in the long term.
Morals are not subjective; principles are not subjective, and ultimate truths are not subjective. However, one’s experience of reality is subjective because character is subjective. And as one’s projected experience of reality is largely determined by one’s character, one’s personality, and one’s nature, so also is one’s reality a subjective construct.
Calming the Storm from Within
Meditation teacher and CEO of the David Lynch Foundation, Bob Roth, uses the analogy of ocean waves to describe the mental process of “transcending” through Transcendental Meditation in his seminal text Strength in Stillness:
Let’s return to the ocean analogy yet again: there are active, often turbulent waves on the surface, but there is calm at its depth. In the same way, we hypothesize that while the mind is active on the surface, deep within is a level that is calm yet alert; silent yet wide awake. The ancient meditation texts refer to it as the “source of thought” or “pure consciousness” — a field of limitless creativity, intelligence, and energy within. Scientists give it a more clinical description: a state of “restful alertness.” It is there. Deep within. Right now and at all times. Believe it or not. The problem is, we have lost access to it.
Roth, Bob. Strength in Stillness: The Power of Transcendental Meditation. Simon & Schuster, 2018, p. 15
However, there is a field of satisfaction and happiness that does not fluctuate, that is not fleeting, that surpasses anything “outer.” And that is to be found at the quietest, deepest level of the thinking mind. Transcendental Meditation bridges the surface with the depth.
IBID., p. 32
As Roth describes, the mind, and, by extension, the universe itself, is like a vast ocean — an ocean of consciousness. The surface of this ocean is choppy with turbulence, but at its depths, it is still and perfectly calm. “Transcending” (typically using the TM technique, i.e., Transcendental Meditation) is about allowing consciousness to find a place of calm and stillness deep within the soul. This process centers consciousness when one feels tossed about by the turbulent waves of experience on the surface of the “ocean.”
Finding the space of peace and calm deep within results in one’s reality becoming calmer as well. This happens because one’s experience of reality is a projection of one’s psychological state — “as within, so without.” This is essentially one technique of “reality surfing” — calming the waters of experience by calming the waters of the soul.
In the Biblical Gospel of Mark, there is an episode that describes Jesus calming stormy winds and weather with a single utterance:
Jesus calms stormy winds and weather
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”
NKJV, Mark 4:39-40
In many ways, this episode parallels the process of achieving calm through Transcendental Meditation. It is not merely an allegorical or metaphorical parallel, however. Because reality is an actual projection of human consciousness, as described previously, achieving calm within does, in fact, project calm into the universe. This is also a feature of the so-called Maharishi effect, or Meditation effect, whereby group meditation appears to project a field of peace and calm into the universe and into the human “collective unconscious.”
Destiny and Character
The core idea behind my concept of “reality surfing” is that one must be agile, flexible, and go with the flow in life. One should be open to learning new skills and ideas, open to new experiences and growth, and, thereby, open to expanding one’s experience of reality in new, interesting, unforeseen, and even unforeseeable ways. One should not become attached to rigid dogma that limits one’s thinking or assume that one knows everything that there is to know.
However, it does not mean relinquishing one’s morals, ethics, integrity, humanity, scruples, empathy, or soul simply to get ahead in life. That is, as I mentioned earlier, a grave misconception. Because “character is destiny,” your experience of the universe, of reality, is a reflection of the kind of person you are, at some deep level of being.
Every individual has free will that they are at liberty to exercise. One’s choices in life determine one’s character, essentially. In turn, one’s character shapes one’s destiny — your internal state shapes your experience of life and reality because your reality is a projection of your internal state. Therefore, you have the power to shape your character through the choices you make and the actions you take in life. And, thereby, you have it in you to shape your own destiny and experience of life.
In other words, you have it in you to change the circumstances of your life by shaping your character through self-improvement, by exercising your free will through conscious choice. For example, by choosing to act out of integrity, humanity, empathy, ethics, morality, honesty, goodwill, and good faith. In this way, you can shape your own character and write your own destiny — I only hope you make it a good one!
