Objectivity

Objectivity is the Magician's capacity to see reality as it is—not as he wishes or fears it to be.

This is not cold detachment. Real objectivity includes awareness of one's subjectivity. It means knowing how our personal filters shape what we see.

Objectivity and the Magician

The Magician works with knowledge and transformation. Both require clear perception.

Healthy objectivity in the Magician:

Sees without distortion: Notices what is present, not what is expected.

Acknowledges bias: Recognizes all perception is filtered.

Separates observation from interpretation: Distinguishes what happened from what it means.

Remains curious: Asks "What am I missing?" instead of defending conclusions.

When we see clearly, we act better.

The Shadows: Manipulator and Dummy

When objectivity goes off balance, it twists into the Magician's shadows.

Active Shadow: The Manipulator

The Manipulator weaponizes objectivity.

Signs of the Manipulator shadow:

• We use "objectivity" to dismiss others' experiences.
• We claim clear sight but ignore our own biases.
• We use facts to control.
• We hide behind "being rational" to avoid emotional engagement.

The Manipulator insists he sees things as they are. Underneath lies fear of vulnerability or need for control.

Passive Shadow: The Dummy

The Dummy collapses into confusion.

Signs of the Dummy shadow:

• We can't distinguish reliable information.
• We dismiss all truth as subjective.
• We're swayed by whoever spoke last.
• We confuse feelings with facts.

The Dummy calls it humility. Underneath lies fear of being wrong or taking responsibility.

Near Enemies of Objectivity

Near enemies look similar but come from different impulses.

Coldness Disguised as Clarity

• False version: Emotional detachment that ignores feeling.
• True objectivity: Clear seeing that includes emotional data.

Test: Does our objectivity help or hinder connection with others?

Cynicism Disguised as Realism

• False version: Assuming the worst about people and situations.
• True realism: Seeing what is present without fixed conclusions.

Test: Is our "objectivity" always negative, or does it see the full picture?

Certainty Disguised as Clarity

• False version: Rigid conviction that mistakes confidence for accuracy.
• True clarity: Perception that stays open to being wrong.

Test: Can we hold perceptions lightly while still acting?

What True Objectivity Feels Like

Spacious: There's room for what we see, even the uncomfortable.

Curious: We seek to understand, not just confirm.

Humble: We know our perception is limited.

Grounded: Attention rests on observation, not assumption.

Real objectivity brings relief. We stop arguing with what is and just see it.

Cultivating Objectivity

Know Our Filters

Understand what shapes our perception:

• What do we tend to see or miss?
• What are our default assumptions?
• Where do hopes and fears color perception?

We can't remove our filters, but we can know them.

Seek Disconfirming Evidence

Actively look for what challenges our view:

• What would prove us wrong?
• Who sees this differently, and what might they be right about?

The Magician who seeks only confirmation stays trapped in projection.

Separate Observation from Story

Distinguish what happened from what we made it mean:

• What did we observe?
• What story did we add?
• What else could this mean?

Most of our suffering comes from the story we add, not from what actually happened.

Check with Reality

Test perceptions against feedback:

• Ask others what they see.
• Look for evidence that confirms or contradicts.
• Update when reality doesn't match our map.

The Mature Magician holds perceptions firm enough to act, loose enough to revise.

Inquiry

• Where does your desire to be right interfere with seeing clearly?
• What are you most likely to project onto others?
• Where do you confuse interpretation with what happened?
• How do you know when you're seeing clearly versus seeing what you want?