Principle 1 — The Principle of Perception
You Are Not Seeing the World “As It Is”
Introduction
Most people believe they are perceiving the world directly and objectively.
In reality, human perception is filtered through layers of:
- past experiences
- memories
- values
- habits
- emotional states
- expectations
In the Maya Logic System (MLS), this subjective filtering is considered the starting point of all behavior, decisions, and comprehension.
It is not the external situation that differs from person to person—
it is the world they perceive that differs.
We Live in a Subjective World
Human perception follows a predictable cognitive sequence:
- An event occurs
- Internal reactions are triggered (experience, emotion, memory)
- The mind assigns a meaning (“This is what it means”)
- Action or reaction is taken based on that meaning
The critical insight:
We act based not on events, but on the meaning we assign to events.
Example
When two people hear the same comment:
- One interprets it as criticism and feels discouraged
- Another interprets it as advice and feels motivated
The words were identical.
The difference lies entirely in perception and interpretation.
Differences in Perception Create Misunderstandings
Most interpersonal friction—whether in families, friendships, or workplaces—arises not from clashing values, but from different ways of seeing the same situation.
- The other person is not “attacking”
- You are not “wrong”
- But the two of you are not looking at the same picture
In MLS, recognizing these perceptual differences is the first step toward improving relational dynamics.
The Calendar as a Tool for Gaining a New Lens
Historically, calendars were not merely timekeeping tools.
They were cognitive devices that allowed people to:
- step outside their personal perspective
- view the present moment from an alternate angle
- reinterpret events within a broader, cyclical framework
The Tzolkin calendar, in particular, helps reexamine “today” through a symbolic lens.
When we operate solely from our own subjectivity, our perception becomes narrow and biased.
Using the calendar introduces a second viewpoint, loosening the grip of our habitual interpretations.
This is one of the core reasons MLS incorporates the Tzolkin system.
Summary
- Humans do not perceive the world objectively
- Perception is shaped by filters and meaning-making processes
- These perceptual frames form the foundation of behavior
- The calendar offers an external perspective that balances subjective bias