Illustration of a therapy office with bookshelves, a guitar, and a red chair, featuring the title "Founder's Corner: Nondual Wisdom and EMDR Psychotherapy"

The Mirage, the Cliff, and Living in the Unknown

Seeming Reality vs. What’s Real

Just because it seems real doesn’t mean it’s Real.

We’re wired to believe what we see. Heat waves shimmer in the desert, and our mind says: water. Even if we know it’s a mirage, the body still reacts. We feel hope. Relief. Thirst. That’s the power of seeming reality.

But there’s a difference between what seems real and what is. In nondual teachings, what is ultimately Real isn’t what appears, but what never changes (cf. Non‑duality and mental health). The appearances come and go. Awareness abides.

The Cliff and the Pause

Imagine this story: a man is hanging from a branch off the edge of a cliff. Below him is open space. Above, he can’t climb back. His past is gone. His future is unknown. He’s suspended in uncertainty.

Now, here’s the thing: the moment he stops trying to solve the situation—stops reaching, calculating, clinging—something opens. He’s no longer a man in trouble. He’s awareness in midair. Unattached. Present. Living in the falling.

Living Without Gripping

That’s the kind of living we’re pointing to. Not checked out. Not indifferent. But open. Curious. Can I be open to possibilities as they float into experience?

The mirage captures this beautifully. You know it’s not water—and still, you see it. Still, the body leans forward. Still, there’s yearning. The illusion persists even in the presence of knowledge.

But we don’t have to drink from the mirage. We just have to stop building our sense of self around it.

Falling Into Awareness

We don’t need to land. We just need to fall—with eyes wide open.

And when we fall fully, we realize we’re not falling through life—we’re falling into awareness.

Postscript: Two Endings

The cliffhanger story has, at least, two continuations.

In one, the man cries out, “Is there anyone up there to help?” A voice answers, “Yes, I can help.”
“Who are you?”
“I’m God.”
“Oh—good. What should I do?”
“Let go!”
“Hmm… Is there anyone else?”

The other comes from my daughter Ariel, wherein the man, while hanging, notices a single bright red strawberry growing from the cliffside. With his last bit of strength, he reaches for it—lets go—and takes a bite. It’s the best strawberry he’s ever tasted.

Your Version?

Have your own version? I’d love to hear it in the comments.

You might also enjoy reading Life Is Butter Dream, which explores a similar theme of awareness, illusion, and letting go.

~ Jordan Shafer/nmm

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Jordan Shafer

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Illustration of a cozy therapy office with bookshelves, guitar, and the title 'Founder's Corner: Nondual Wisdom and EMDR Psychotherapy
Life is Butter DreamFounder's Corner, Nondual Wisdom
Illustration of a therapy office with bookshelves, a guitar, and a red chair, featuring the title 'Founder's Corner: Nondual Wisdom and EMDR Psychotherapy'
Oh, my life… it was a dreamFounder's Corner, Nondual Wisdom

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.