[JJH]

@Jack: I _think_ I understand the rationale behind your thinking. Your thoughts about the models are valid, but you need to get your head around one thing: whichever model you prefer, YOU are responsible for everything in your reality.

The perception of reality that you are experiencing now is filtered through your ego. The ego has learned and habitualized many forms of coping, dealing, reacting to all the various stimuli you receive. Most of these reactions are unconscious; you don't need to think about how you are reacting, you just react. But, as your awareness expands (say, through meditation), you begin to sense the connectedness of all things. You begin to realize the responses your ego has put on auto-pilot are not getting you the results you truly desire. The ego is projecting an illusion that YOU are responding to (usually unconsciously). This is your unique reality.

You are responsible for your reality. You have the choice of how to act and think and react in any situation. It is only your ego that gives you the false impression that you do not (have choice). It is the ego that makes you think that events and circumstances outside of yourself are responsible. This is the dualistic / materialistic illusion that most of us live under throughout our lives. I know I sure did.

If you begin to expand your awareness, you might glimpse that the universe is an indivisible collection of systems, from a huge galaxy, down to a tiny nucleus. And if everything is one (some call it the zero-point field, pure consciousness, God) there is nothing to fear, get or do -- the ego's attachment to outcomes falls away -- and you are free to pursue a truly brilliant life.

This is a highly compressed version of how I see reality -- so I hope it's clear enough. There are lots of people on these boards with great understanding of reality, and with far greater eloquence than me to explain it!! But it sure is fun to discuss it...