The Wheel of Consciousness: How our perception shapes our reality

Our perception determines how we see the world, make decisions, and act. Yet only a fraction of the information flowing to us reaches our consciousness. Of the 400 billion bits per second that our brain can process, we consciously perceive a maximum of 2,000. What we see, hear, or feel is therefore always only a fragment – ​​shaped by our internal filters and previous experiences.

This is where the Wheel of Consciousness (from www.froschkoenige.ch) comes in: It visualizes how we move from a triggering event to our thoughts, feelings, and ultimately our actions. Similar to Chris Argyris’s Ladder of Perception, it helps us question our unconscious interpretations and reach a deeper level of reflection.

Why is this important? Because we often act on autopilot. We react to situations without consciously pausing. Our perception is filtered by past experiences, assumptions, and expectations. Only when we recognize this process can we make more conscious decisions – be it in our professional lives, interpersonal relationships, or personal development.

Inspired by “Conversations with Brain and Heart: The Science of Good Communication” by Ben Kimura-Gross, this blog post shows how the Wheel of Consciousness helps break unconscious patterns and gain deeper clarity.

The Wheel of Consciousness – A Glimpse into Our Inner Map

Every person perceives the world through their own, individual lens. Our experiences, beliefs, and expectations filter the countless sensory impressions that flood our lives every day. The Wheel of Consciousness visualizes this process by showing the different stages that lead from initial perception to concrete action.

The Wheel of Consciousness – How Our Perception Is Created

The Wheel of Consciousness is a model that describes how we move from perception to action. It shows that several unconscious steps take place between a triggering event and our reaction. These steps are crucial because they determine how we interpret the world and the decisions we make.

The model assumes that our perception consists of five consecutive stages:

1. The event – ​​An external situation or stimulus occurs.
2. The perception – Our brain filters out only a tiny portion (a maximum of 2,000 bits) from the wealth of sensory data (400 billion bits per second).
3. The interpretation – We classify the perception based on our previous experiences, values, and beliefs.
4. The emotion – Based on our interpretation, a feeling arises that influences our reaction.
5. The action – We react to the event by speaking, deciding, or acting.

The actual event is the same – the feedback from the senses. However, perception, interpretation, and emotions differ. Action does not follow from the situation itself, but from the unconscious steps in between.

Why is the Wheel of Consciousness important?

We often believe that we react directly to a situation. But in fact, we are always going through this internal process. It takes place in milliseconds. The Wheel of Consciousness makes visible where we can start to act more consciously. It helps us avoid being controlled by old patterns and instead allow new perspectives to emerge. A famous quote by Viktor Frankl sums this up: “Between stimulus and response lies a space. In this space lies our power to choose our response. In our response lies our development and our freedom.”

And this is where Chris Argyris’s ladder of perception comes into play: It shows that we are often influenced by the selection of data – we only see what we expect or know. The Wheel of Consciousness starts right here by encouraging us to consciously take a step back and actively question our perception.

The model is based on the idea that several steps take place between a triggering event and our response – but usually unconsciously. It helps us become conscious of this mechanism in order to break out of entrenched patterns. The central question is: How does our reality actually emerge?

A simple example illustrates this mechanism:

• Two people perceive the same situation – perhaps a critical remark in a meeting.
• One immediately feels attacked and reacts defensively or justifiably.
• The other sees it as valuable feedback and uses it to develop further.

What differentiates the two? Not the event itself, but the filters through which they perceive it. These filters are composed of individual experiences, inner beliefs, and learned patterns.

The Wheel of Consciousness shows that our thoughts and emotions are by no means direct reactions to external events. Rather, they undergo an internal process of which we are usually unaware. Those who become aware of this can begin to actively question and change this process.

The Diplomat in the Brain – Key to Conscious Perception

Our perception is not only controlled by external stimuli, but primarily by our brain – more precisely, by the diplomat, the youngest and most reflective part of our thinking apparatus. This area, located in the prefrontal cortex, is responsible for conscious thought, reflection, and the ability to take on other people’s perspectives.

But here lies the challenge: The diplomat is energy-intensive. It requires conscious concentration and only works effectively when not overwhelmed by stress or distraction. In pressure situations, the automaton (the limbic system, responsible for emotional patterns) and the primate (the reptilian brain, which reacts reflexively to danger) automatically take over.

What happens when the diplomat is inactive?

• Our perception is determined by automatic patterns.
• We interpret situations based on past experiences instead of consciously questioning them.
• We react impulsively without making a considered decision.

This means: If we want to use the Wheel of Consciousness purposefully, we need to strengthen the diplomat. This involves consciously pausing, taking time for reflection, and not immediately being guided by emotional impulses.

The Connection to the Ladder of Perception

Chris Argyris’s Ladder of Perception shows that we rarely remain at the level of pure sensory data. Instead, we select certain information, draw conclusions, and act based on these assumptions. When the diplomat is switched off, this process occurs unconsciously—our perception is filtered by previous beliefs and emotions.

A consciously activated diplomat, on the other hand, enables us to consciously climb down the ladder and check:

• What data did I actually perceive?
• What assumptions did I make?
• Are my conclusions truly justified?

This type of conscious perception can help us question established thought patterns and allow for new perspectives. That’s why the Entrepreneur Council is so important—here, others listen to me and give me feedback on what I think I perceive. And that allows for additional perspectives to become available to me.

Listening as a gateway to new perception

Our perception is limited. It is shaped by our previous experiences, expectations, and unconscious patterns. Therefore, we often see the world only through our own filtered perspective. Listening can expand this filter – if we do it consciously.

True listening means not just hearing words, but engaging with the other person’s perception. It opens up new perspectives and helps us step out of our own “bubble of perception.” This is precisely where the wheel of awareness comes in: When we listen consciously, we have the opportunity to question our usual interpretations and incorporate new data into our perception. When we listen “without judgment,” we allow ourselves to descend the ladder of perception and allow for new possibilities of interpretation. At the same time, I expand the space between the listener and the speaker! Which is very helpful in complex contexts.

Why is listening so difficult?

Our brain is programmed to draw conclusions quickly. While someone is speaking, our mind is already searching for a suitable response or evidence to confirm our own opinion. This mechanism is part of the ladder of perception:

• We only hear part of the information.
• We interpret what is said based on our experiences.
• We react without truly grasping the other person’s entire perspective.

But when we truly listen, we gain new data that expands our perception.

The Council as a Practice Space for Conscious Perception

In the Council, a structured discussion space without judgments or interruptions, precisely this form of conscious listening is practiced. The goal here is not to react to what is said or to offer solutions, but simply to listen.

This has several effects:

• The brain remains open to new perspectives. Without the reflex to immediately judge, thoughts can have an impact on a deeper level.
• The diplomat is strengthened. Through conscious listening, the prefrontal cortex remains active instead of falling into automatic reaction patterns.
• Perception becomes more diverse. By considering different perspectives on an equal footing, a differentiated view of issues and challenges emerges.

Listening is therefore far more than a social skill – it is a key to expanding one’s own perception. Those who truly listen climb down the ladder of perception and view a situation more closely.

Wheel of Consciousness and the Art of Creating New Realities

Our perception determines our reality – but what happens when we consciously change it? The Wheel of Consciousness shows that we are not just passive recipients of information, but can actively control which impressions, thoughts, and reactions we allow.

1. Perception as an Active Process

Everyone sees the world through their own lens. What we consider reality is actually a construct of our experiences, expectations, and beliefs. By recognizing this, we can begin to create new realities for ourselves.

This means:

• Our perception is malleable – we can train it.
• We are not victims of our emotions, but can consciously control how we react to situations.
• Through focused attention, we change our own reality.

2. The Role of the Council – A Space for New Perspectives

An essential element for breaking out of old patterns of perception is exchanging ideas with others. In the Council, participants experience that there are many different perceptions of the same situation – and that none of them is absolutely “right” or “wrong.”

By listening non-judgmentally and sharing personal stories, a space is created in which new perspectives can be welcomed. This not only strengthens the diplomatic mind, but also opens up the possibility of questioning established patterns of thinking and acting.

3. The Power of Conscious Decision-Making

The Wheel of Consciousness shows: We can decide how we see the world.

• Do we stay on autopilot or do we question our perceptions?
• Do we react impulsively or do we take the time to adopt a new perspective?
• Do we allow ourselves to be guided by old patterns or do we actively shape our reality?

4. The Next Step: Anchoring Consciousness in Everyday Life

Knowledge of the Wheel of Consciousness alone doesn’t change anything – only daily practice makes the difference. Consciously handling perception can:

• Defuse conflicts by not judging too quickly.
• Deepen relationships by truly listening.
• Open up new possibilities because we are no longer trapped in entrenched thought patterns.

Ultimately, it’s about repeatedly pausing and consciously asking ourselves: Am I seeing the entire reality right now – or just a filtered section?

Conclusion: The Wheel of Consciousness as the Key to Greater Clarity and More Conscious Action

Our perception is not a static process, but an active interplay of filters, experiences, and inner beliefs. The Wheel of Consciousness shows that we do not react directly to events, but rather that our perception is influenced by unconscious mechanisms. Only when we recognize this process can we consciously decide how we think, feel, and act.

The diplomat in the brain, which ensures reflective thinking and conscious control, is particularly important here. However, stress, distraction, and emotional overstimulation can switch it off and cause us to fall back into automatic reaction patterns. Those who can consciously pause, who question their own perceptions, and who allow new perspectives to emerge, gain more self-control and clarity.

Listening and the Council as a non-judgmental space are essential tools for expanding our own perception. By approaching others openly, listening to new stories, and consciously shaping the exchange, we train our diplomat and develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

Ultimately, the Wheel of Consciousness gives us the opportunity to actively shape our reality instead of simply reacting to external circumstances. Those who integrate it into their daily lives can not only make more conscious decisions, but also live more authentically and view the world with more openness and serenity.