How We Create Meaning: My Favorite Spiritual Practice
How Awareness of Meaning Creation Brings Peace of Mind and Inner Freedom
What appears to be wrong is simply your own false imagination. That's all. - Robert Adams
My favorite spiritual practice is becoming aware of how we create meaning. This practice is invaluable because recognizing the arbitrary nature of meaning allows us to step back from our thoughts and live more freely. Another key benefit is understanding that while change and action are sometimes necessary, the most essential transformation lies in how we think.
Instead of believing that our world and its meanings are determined by external circumstances, we must recognize that they are shaped by only one thing: our interpretation.
By seeing your world, you are, in fact, seeing your mind. - Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj
This isn’t something you need to take on faith—anyone can verify it for themselves.
How to Observe the Creation of Meaning
Each of us perceives the world through five senses. These senses serve as a medium, and consciousness is the space in which perception occurs. Here’s how to start observing the process of meaning-making:
Begin with Pure Sensation
Try to connect with raw sensation in your awareness, before any interpretation takes place. For example, notice a sound, a texture, or a visual image without labeling it or assigning it meaning.
At the moment of stimulus, there is no meaning yet—it is just raw perception, equal to any other stimulus.
Notice the Role of Memory and Values
Once the stimulus arises, your mind compares it to past experiences (memory) and evaluates it based on your personal system of values. This is the moment where meaning is assigned.
Try to be aware of how your mind creates meaning by interpreting stimuli according to what they represent to you personally.
Observe the Link Between Interpretation and Emotions
Our interpretations shape our emotional reactions. For instance, when something appears threatening, it triggers fear or anger. On the other hand, when something aligns with our desires, it generates happiness or satisfaction.
Watch how these interpretations directly influence your emotional state.
The Goal: Connecting with Raw Reality
The goal is to stay in touch with raw reality (step 1) as much as possible. When thoughts and interpretations inevitably arise, observe them without being carried away.
Everything beyond step 1—your interpretations, emotions, and reactions—is your world. It’s entirely personal and can be changed at any time.
Why Practice This?
By regularly practicing awareness of how we create meaning, we gain freedom from automatic interpretations and their resulting emotions. Over time, this practice can vastly improve our inner clarity, emotional balance, and overall experience of life.
How to Practice
Set aside regular time to practice this awareness. Sitting meditation is ideal, as it minimizes distractions and allows deeper focus. However, you can practice anytime during your waking hours.
While walking, pay attention to pure sensations like the feeling of your feet on the ground.
During a conversation, notice the raw sound of words before your mind assigns meaning to them.
When emotions arise, observe the interpretation that triggered them and how it aligns with your personal world.
The more you practice, the more attuned you’ll become to the process of meaning-making—and the freer you’ll feel from being dominated by it.
…and yes, there’s a reward…
Peace of mind
I love this. Practicing awareness is so important in our times filled with technology.