The map is not the territory, but it will get you where you want to go.
This is a phrase you might have heard if you’ve studied NLP.
The original metaphor comes from the Copenhagen Interpretation by the noted semanticist Korzybski.
Robert Anton Wilson describes the Copenhagen Interpretation of Niels Bohr as:
“called “model agnosticism” and holds that any grid we use to organize our experience of the world is a model of the world and should not be confused with the world itself. Alfred Korzybski, the semanticist, tried to popularize this outside physics with the slogan, “The map is not the territory.” Alan Watts, a talented exegete of Oriental philosophy, restated it more vividly as “The menu is not the meal.”
The map is not the territory but it’s good enough to get you where you want to go.
The menu is not the meal but it’s good enough for getting you what you want to eat.
The same logic applies to your belief system.
Your beliefs are ideas, concepts, not physical reality.
But when you create the right beliefs they can get you what you want in life: health, wealth, women and happiness.
The right beliefs become the map that will take you where you want to go.
Therefore a smart man makes his belief system his serve him.
You don’t have to be a slave to negative beliefs anymore.
Because beliefs are malleable.
You don’t have to be a slave to scientism anymore.
And why you should you be?
Even the best scientific minds have admitted they don’t know what the f#@$ they’re talking about any more.
Science does not have a monopoly on truth.
Scientific facts are nothing more than the best arguments, determined by the agreement of the high priests and their peer-reviewed journals.
Scientific truths are merely the opinions of a handful of men, nothing more nothing less.
And those arguments are constantly being destroyed by newer better arguments.
They tell us something different every century. From physics to relativity to quantum theory to string theory to simulation theory. And they’re not even sure anymore.
And that doesn’t come as a surprise to me, because trying to grasp reality is like trying to grab air. It’s always just out of your reach. It’s like Icarus flying too close to the Sun. And often times it ends in madness, you can ask Nietzsche about that.
With humility and awe is how I view the universe. I can’t help but bow down before our creator and what he’s created. And when I want metaphysics, I don’t turn to science, I turn to his emissaries.
Not only do they have better models, but they have an end game…
Moksha, liberation, enlightenment, heaven – whatever name you want to call it.
I like happy endings, and I believe there is one in this game we call life.
But don’t get me wrong, I’m incredibly grateful for applied science and the technology and models we’ve been given through that discipline. I’m not anti-science in the slightest, quite the opposite.
Gravity tells me not to jump off the balcony. Hospitals exist to nurse me back to health. And I’m speaking to you through the miracle of the internet and the smartphone.
All of those models and technology have added tremendous value to my life, and to yours as well…
I’m just not a slave to scientism. Because scientism can’t speak with certainty in the realm of metaphysics. Even their best and brightest priests admit they don’t have the answers.
And how could they when their best men don’t have experience of that ultimate reality.
And how can you measure ultimate reality?
And what is science without measurement?
How can you measure what exists prior to time and space?
How can a universe be created out of nothing?
Why are even the smallest particles still separated by space?
What puts breath in my lungs?
What caused me to incarnate into this body?
You can take all the nihilistic, scientific, random, secular humanism, stir it up in a pot and it doesn’t answer those questions.
All you get from those great minds is uncertainty, and I don’t like uncertainty.
I like answers, and like men with answers, men who speak from authority.
And that authority comes from direct experience.
That’s why I prefer to get metaphysical models from:
- Christ
- Buddha
- Kabir
- Ramana Maharshi
- Nisargadatta Maharaj
- And others
The victors in the game of life.
Because happiness, health and wealth are great things in this world. And I’ve devoted my life to help you achieve those goals.
But as happy a lifestyle as you can create…
You still have death in the back of your mind, hanging over your shoulder, breathing down the back of your neck, waiting…
And I don’t like that ending to my game.
I want to be able to beat that final boss.
Of course the body will die, but what about the spirit, what you were before you were born?
So I turn to the spiritual authorities for guidance.
And their maps aren’t the territory, but I believe they will get me to where I want to go.
I can’t get you there, because I’m not there, but I can point you to the victors in the game of life.
And I highly recommend you study what they say while you plan your escape.
But while you’re here, there is no reason to suffer anymore than you have to.
That’s where you can use my strategies for health, wealth and happiness.
They’re not the territory or the meal…
But they can get you where you want to go…
To living a better life.
And the best metamap I’ve found for creating the life you want is to play life like it’s a game. A game where he who has the most joy wins. And everything I’ve ever written or filmed is with the aimed of getting you there.
So take those strategies and make them yours. And add and subtract what you need to add or subtract because you’re free to do so.
You’re free to take my models and make them yours, because there are no rules. Mom and dad went out for the weekend and they’re not coming back…
But don’t squander that freedom because you’ll pay the price for it. Make your beliefs serve you, and use them to make you happier.
Use my maps to get you where you want to go. Use my strategies to suffer less, while your spirit is trapped in the flesh. That’s what I’m here for.
But don’t stop there. I can’t get you to the finish line, but I can point you to those who can. The victors of this world. The lions of mankind.
In summary…
The map is not the territory, but the right maps will make you happier. Use my maps and create as much joy for yourself as you can in this world. And add and subtract whatever you like to make those maps more useful to you.
But don’t sleep on the ultimate victory. Recognize that science doesn’t have all the answers, but maybe, just maybe, there are men who can speak with authority on metaphysics.
Men who can speak with authority because they not only experienced the territory, but made that territory their home, and can point you how to get there. The lions of mankind. The victors of the game of life.
Take their models, investigate them, use them, and aim for total victory. Be as happy as you can while you’re here, but don’t forget to keep your eyes on the ultimate prize.
