Shared reality
Also known as common ground, consensus
The need to share a common understanding of what is real and true with others. A sense of inhabiting the same world with agreed-upon facts and meanings.
When met or unmet
When met
- Others see what you see
- Common ground in perception
- Validated understanding of reality
When unmet
- No one agrees on what's real
- Gaslit or dismissed
- Reality questioned
Common expressions
Am I crazy or...? Do you see what I see? We're not on the same page
Strategies
- Finding people who share your basic view of reality
- Engaging in dialogue to create mutual understanding
- Seeking reliable sources of information
- Acknowledging where agreement exists
Recognition questions
- → Do I share a common reality with the people around me?
- → Are there fundamental disagreements about what's true?
- → Do I feel alone in my perception of things?
Somatic markers
When met
- Grounding from shared understanding
- Relief at common ground
- Connection through mutual recognition
When unmet
- Disorientation from conflicting realities
- Loneliness of different perceptions
- Anxiety about what's actually true
Shadow side
- Requiring everyone to see things your way
- Echo chambers that reinforce narrow views
- Dismissing others' realities as invalid
Cultural considerations
Shared reality is constructed within cultural frameworks. Different cultures have different consensus realities. Bridging across frameworks requires translation.