Throughout our lives, we are constantly making agreements—some conscious, others unconscious. These agreements are the invisible forces that shape our beliefs, thoughts, and actions. However, the most profound agreements we make are often those we form with ourselves. These agreements are dictated by the symbols we learn throughout our upbringing, a symbolic language that shapes how we view ourselves and the world. From our first interactions with language to the stories we tell ourselves, the symbols we embrace inform what we believe is possible or impossible, who we are, and who we are not.
The symbols we learn in early life are not truths in themselves, but rather representations of agreements. These agreements form the bedrock of what we call “knowledge.” The meaning of words, phrases, and concepts is only valid because we collectively agree upon their definitions. For instance, the word “tree” has meaning because we all agree that it refers to a certain type of plant, but this meaning is not inherent in the word itself. It is simply a social agreement. And while this creates a common understanding, the very concept of truth itself becomes subjective—what is agreed upon is true within a given context, but it may differ across cultures, languages, and personal experiences.
The Power of Symbols
From birth, humans are immersed in a world full of symbols—sounds, gestures, and visual representations—that hold meaning only because we, as a society, have agreed upon their significance. This system of symbols is what enables us to communicate, express ideas, and make sense of the world around us. In fact, much of what we know is not a direct perception of reality, but rather a result of these symbolic systems we learn and internalize over time.
The foundation of this symbolic language is laid early in life when we first learn to speak. As infants, we begin to associate sounds with objects or actions. For example, the word “milk” becomes associated with a specific experience—our need to nourish ourselves. But the word “milk” has no inherent meaning. It’s a sound that we have agreed upon to represent a very real, tangible need. This agreement is so deeply ingrained in our minds that we no longer question it. When we say “milk,” we don’t think of the sound itself but immediately recognize it as referring to a liquid that nourishes.
Symbols go beyond words. Consider the symbols embedded in body language, traffic signs, or even cultural rituals. All of these symbols carry meaning, but they only do so because we have collectively agreed upon what they represent. For instance, the red light in traffic signals means stop, but it didn’t always carry that meaning. It became universally understood through agreement, and that shared meaning allows people from diverse backgrounds and cultures to understand and act accordingly, even if the language spoken is different.
This power of symbols shapes everything we do. Our communication with one another, our ability to convey abstract thoughts, and even our emotional reactions to certain situations are all informed by the symbols we’ve come to understand. As we grow older, the meanings attached to these symbols become more complex, and they start to intertwine with the belief systems we form about the world and ourselves. From language to art to societal norms, symbols are the backbone of the mental framework we use to navigate existence.
Yet, while symbols are essential to our understanding, they are not inherently tied to the things they represent. The object itself—the tree, for example—exists in the world whether or not we call it by the name “tree.” The name “tree” is merely an agreed-upon label, a symbolic representation of the object, and it’s a symbol we are taught to recognize. The real power of the symbol lies not in the object itself, but in the agreement that allows humans to share meaning. Without this collective agreement, symbols would be powerless, and communication would be impossible.
Agreements and Their Role in Belief Systems
The symbols we use are more than just tools of communication—they also form the bedrock of the belief systems that govern our lives. Our beliefs about the world, about ourselves, and about what is possible or impossible are deeply influenced by the symbols we learn. These beliefs are not absolute truths, but rather shared agreements within a specific cultural or societal context. Through these agreements, we construct what we believe to be true.
Our belief systems shape how we experience life. For example, if we grow up in a religious tradition, we may be taught a symbolic language that frames our understanding of existence, morality, and the afterlife. These symbols—whether they are texts, rituals, or concepts—help to define our worldview. However, these symbols are not universally true; they are subjective interpretations of reality, formed by the agreements made within a specific religious or cultural community. What is considered sacred or true in one belief system may be seen as irrelevant or false in another.
In this way, our belief systems are built upon a network of agreements that extend beyond language. For instance, the idea of “success” is often symbolized by wealth, status, and achievement in many Western cultures. However, this symbol of success may have little meaning in other societies, where success might be understood in terms of family, spiritual fulfillment, or community service. Each of these different interpretations reflects the agreements that are held within the context of a specific culture or community.
When we confront new belief systems—whether through exposure to a different culture, religion, or philosophy—we often experience cognitive dissonance. This occurs because the new system of symbols may conflict with the symbols and meanings we’ve already internalized. We may find ourselves questioning: “What is truly right? Is what I learned in the past correct, or is what I am learning now more accurate?” This inner turmoil arises because we are faced with different sets of agreements about reality, and reconciling them can be difficult.
The nature of beliefs as agreements is profound. It shows that much of what we consider to be “truth” is not an objective reality but a shared understanding shaped by collective human agreements. These agreements evolve over time, and they shape the cultures, institutions, and systems we create. Our political systems, educational frameworks, and even personal identity are influenced by these symbolic agreements. We spend much of our lives unconsciously abiding by these agreements, rarely questioning the origins of the symbols that guide our decisions.
However, by becoming aware of this process, we can begin to understand that many of the beliefs we hold are not unchangeable truths, but rather, they are constructs shaped by the symbolic language we’ve been taught. Recognizing the role of agreements in shaping our beliefs opens up a space for questioning and reevaluating what we know. It provides an opportunity to challenge outdated or limiting symbols and adopt new ones that more accurately reflect our evolving understanding of reality. Ultimately, it is through this awareness that we gain the power to transform our beliefs and, by extension, our lives.
The Creation of Symbols in Human Culture
The act of creating symbols is fundamental to human culture. As humans, we possess an extraordinary ability to create systems of meaning that help us understand the world around us. These systems begin with the fundamental building blocks of communication—words, sounds, and images—and evolve into complex structures that govern everything from religion to science, from politics to art.
At the most basic level, symbols are our way of translating the intangible into something we can grasp. The process starts with perception. We see an object, experience an event, or feel an emotion, and then we create a symbol to represent it. This symbolic act can be as simple as naming a tree, as in the biblical story of Adam naming the animals, or as complex as creating a metaphor to describe the human experience. In both cases, the symbol is not the thing itself; it is merely a representation of it, a way of capturing and expressing our understanding of reality.
One of the most profound ways symbols shape human culture is through language. Language is a system of symbols that allows us to communicate our internal thoughts, feelings, and experiences with others. But language is not a passive tool; it is a creative force that actively shapes our perception of the world. The words we use don’t merely reflect our reality—they also construct it. For example, the word “freedom” has a deep meaning, but its meaning varies from one person to another. To one individual, freedom might mean independence, while to another, it could signify the ability to choose one’s path in life. The word “freedom” is a symbol that holds different meanings based on personal and cultural contexts, and this variation in meaning shapes how people experience and value freedom.
Beyond language, symbols are woven into the very fabric of human culture. Art, religion, mythology, and even scientific theories are all symbolic systems that attempt to explain and understand the world. These symbols become so deeply ingrained that they often appear invisible—they guide our actions, influence our decisions, and form the basis of our cultural identities. In religious rituals, for example, symbols such as the cross in Christianity or the crescent moon in Islam are not just physical objects—they are imbued with meaning that reflects the core values and beliefs of the culture that reveres them. Similarly, scientific symbols—such as the equation for gravity or the atomic model—help us make sense of the natural world, even though they are abstractions of reality.
The creation of symbols in human culture is not just a process of representation; it is a way of creating shared meaning. Through the use of symbols, we connect with others, share our experiences, and build a collective understanding of the world. The symbols we create and agree upon are the glue that binds societies together, and they provide a framework for interpreting and navigating life.
Language and the Mind: Art or Reality?
Language is not just a tool for communication; it is the lens through which we perceive and interpret reality. Every word we use is a symbol—a sign that stands for something beyond itself. Words do not contain inherent meaning; instead, they derive meaning from the agreements we make with others. These agreements are what allow us to communicate with precision, but they are also what limit our understanding of the world. Language, then, is both a bridge and a barrier between us and the true nature of reality.
The role of language in shaping our perception of reality can be seen when we consider how different languages frame the world in different ways. For example, the way time is understood and described varies significantly across languages. In English, time is often depicted as a linear progression, moving from past to present to future. But in languages like Aymara, time is conceptualized differently: the past is imagined to be in front of us, and the future behind us. These differences in language influence not only how we think about time, but also how we experience it. Our perception of time, shaped by the language we use to describe it, is just one example of how symbols mold our understanding of the world.
Language also shapes how we form our identities. The words we use to describe ourselves, our relationships, and our experiences are not just neutral labels—they are powerful symbols that shape our sense of self. For instance, the term “success” carries different meanings depending on cultural and personal context. To one person, success may be defined by material wealth, while to another, it may be about personal growth or the well-being of family and community. These meanings are not inherent in the word itself; they are constructed through the symbols we use to express our values and beliefs.
In the context of the mind, language is an essential tool for organizing and interpreting experience. The mind does not passively receive reality; it actively categorizes and labels everything it encounters. When we perceive an object—say, a tree—we do not simply see it as a neutral object. Instead, we label it as a “tree,” and with that label comes a host of associations, emotions, and memories. The label becomes more than just a descriptive term; it becomes a lens through which we understand the object. The same tree could evoke different feelings depending on whether we associate it with childhood memories, a sense of peace, or even fear. These associations are created through the symbols we use to interpret the world.
Language thus becomes both the framework and the filter through which we experience life. While language allows us to express complex ideas and emotions, it also limits our perception by binding us to the symbolic meanings we have learned. The words we use are never the full reality; they are mere representations. As such, language is not reality itself but a tool through which we attempt to grasp and communicate reality.
The Toltec Wisdom: Mastering the Human Mind
The Toltec tradition offers profound insights into the nature of the human mind and how we can master our internal reality. According to Toltec wisdom, the mind is a tool for creating our personal experience of reality, but it is also prone to distortion. Just as an artist uses a brush to create a work of art, the mind uses symbols to construct our mental landscape. However, much of what we create in our minds is not reality—it is a subjective interpretation of reality, shaped by the symbols and beliefs we have learned.
To master the human mind, the Toltecs teach us to develop awareness. Awareness is the first step in understanding the nature of our mental reality. When we become aware of how our minds create meaning—through language, symbols, and beliefs—we gain the power to change our perceptions and interpretations. Awareness allows us to see the difference between what is real and what is imagined, between objective truth and subjective belief.
The second mastery in the Toltec tradition is transformation. Once we become aware of how our minds work, we can begin to transform our thoughts, beliefs, and emotional responses. This transformation is not about denying our perceptions or trying to suppress our emotions; rather, it’s about changing the way we react to the world. Transformation allows us to reshape our mental reality into something more aligned with truth, beauty, and love.
The third mastery is love, or intent. In Toltec philosophy, love is not just an emotion; it is a force that drives our intentions and actions. When we approach life with love—love for ourselves, for others, and for the world around us—we can align our mental reality with the truth. Love becomes the guiding principle that governs our thoughts, feelings, and decisions, helping us create a reality that is harmonious and fulfilling.
By mastering awareness, transformation, and love, we can gain control over our minds and our experience of reality. We become conscious creators of our own lives, able to shape our mental world in ways that reflect the truth and align with our highest values. The Toltec wisdom teaches us that we are not passive observers of reality, but active participants in creating our own world. Through this mastery, we can overcome suffering, embrace happiness, and live a life of fulfillment and peace.
Conclusion
The symbols we use to navigate the world are not fixed truths but are instead agreements that we make with ourselves and with others. They shape our understanding of reality and influence how we interact with the world. By becoming aware of this process and recognizing that our mental reality is a creation, we can master the art of perception. In doing so, we can free ourselves from limiting beliefs, transform our experiences, and align our minds with the truth, creating a life of clarity, peace, and purpose.