I recently received a letter from a friend, who mentioned his concern about how we can every truly be sure that a reality shift occurred. Sometimes, one person might remember events in a very different way than another... how can someone who has witnessed no shift ever come to appreciate or believe that reality has indeed shifted?

His letter stated in part:

"I also am encouraged regarding recognition of the power of prayer, etc. The thing I am having trouble with is clarifying the difference between misperception and a reality shift. It still sounds to me that you are saying there is no discernible difference. I also agree that if we heighten our perceptions, we may be able to see auras or other "extra-normal" phenomena, and that children may be more open to such perceptions. I do, however, think it is important also not to over-aggrandize misperception, or to reward self-deception.

I recommend Ken Wilbur's theories in this regard. Children live in a mythic world full of magic. Appropriate at the time, but we grow out of this phase for a reason. Our ability to see when a mythic (good-bad, hero-villian, rules for right and wrong, power magically comes from following the rules) perspective applies and yet fails (such as inter-cultural exchanges where two people have different rules) is an important element of maturity.

If you could clarify the distinction here between misperception and reality shifts, I think it would go a long way to expanding acceptance and recognition of reality shifts. Before and after data is good, and I certainly am glad about your grandmother. Still, without similar third-party verification, I still believe that any time I have been in may bathroom, the "hot" knob was on the left. I have trouble imagining how the knob could switch if we were both in the same house the whole time. Without drawing such a distinction, we are surrounded by pink elephants."