Lamps and Candle Illusion – How to Stop the Lamp From Turning On!

Have you ever experienced the lamp illusion? It is a mental affliction that many of us have encountered at one time or another and it is often difficult to describe. The human mind has an inclination to pick up on images and then build a mental picture in our mind that is completely separate from the reality that we experience. When you stand in front of a light bulb, it may look like the light bulb is glowing brightly, when in reality, it is just a plastic or metal dome surrounded by a white light. When you step into the room and stand beside the light bulb it may look as if the light bulb is glowing, but it is just a flat surface against which your eyes are focused.

The lamp and its reflection in the mirror are two separate objects. We see the lamp and its reflection in the room and we think that the glow is there. But the truth is that the lamp only exists in our mind’s eye and it is a fabrication of our brain. We can correct this problem if we take a few moments to step back from this situation. We must step back to see the entire room, not just a small section of it.

In order to cure this effect, we need to step into the room. If there are no other distractions in the room, turn on the lights and sit down. Close your eyes as if you were sitting in front of the lamp. You will immediately notice that the light is different than it appears to be in your mind’s eye. Your mind will focus on the lamp instead of the wall behind the lamp.

Once you have done this, you should now look at the wall behind the lamp. It will seem as if the light source is actually emanating from that wall. The cause of this illusion is due to our mind’s ability to translate everything that we see. If you see a light bulb with the same color as the wall, your mind will focus on that wall and it will create the illusion that the light bulb is glowing brighter than it actually is. Now, step out of your chair and turn on another room.

Don’t worry if you can’t find a clear spot in the room. Simply move your attention to the center of the room where you believe the lamp is. This spot should be a spot where the lamp shade is completely above the horizon. As you move your attention closer, you will notice that the shade begins to curve away from you until it eventually falls to the ground.

For those of us who suffer from this disorder, curing this illusion is possible. It is simply a matter of taking a moment to step back from the situation and re-establish your mental connection to the object of your affections. Once you have successfully completed this task, you may even begin to fall in love with your lamp again.