The natural realm is the three dimensional realm of existence. Our five senses enable us to function optimally in this realm. The sense of sight gives us the ability to determine colour, depth, size, distance, etc. and is a primary method of communication. The sense of smell enables us to identify substances by gaseous emissions or aroma. The sense of taste enables us to identify substances by the release of its molecules in aqueous solution. The sense of touch enables us to identify substances by temperature, texture, etc. The sense of hearing gives us the ability to determine distance, pitch, tone, etc., and is also a primary method of communication.

When these five senses are developed for their basic functions and coupled with the ability to learn from experiences, we can operate comfortably in the normal physical environment as we develop effective means of communication. In the sphere of the natural one can easily survive. Socially we communicate using these senses. Through the use of these senses, we develop values, we develop standards or ideals which are common to the social group we belong. These values determine the perspective through which we see reality. They determine beliefs, concepts of right and wrong, attitudes and behaviour. Have you ever listened to two persons giving accounts of the same incident and wondered why they were so diverse? These values that define our social realities come out of the heart, from the character matrix. One can safely say then, that our values determine the quality of our perceptions relative to truth. Truth is the state or quality of accurately reflecting or defining reality.

Some philosophies teach of a sixth sense, some a third eye, in seeking to understand and access what is called by some the spiritual realm. Some believe that the seers alone can define the realities of this realm. Are these things true? Is there a third eye? A sixth sense? What does the Bible say?

The five senses are necessary for our communication with the natural environment and with each other. They are governed by specific physical rules, which ensure that they function within a specific framework. The brain controls these senses. These five senses, when controlled by the matrix, can be refined/trained to communicate in the spiritual environment. The problem then is the correct or accurate definition of that environment. Heb 5:11-14 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (KJV)

We can see, hear, touch, smell and taste in the realm of the spirit. The Bible speaks of our senses in that way.

It says of sight in Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (NIV)

Matt 13:15-16 For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.'

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. (NIV)

Luke 24:31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. (KJV)

Eph 1:18 I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (NIV) **

I Jn 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes. (KJV) NOTE!!!

Of the sense of hearing, the Bible says in Deut 29:2-6 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his land;

3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:

4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

5 And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God. (KJV)

It is Yahweh God, through his Holy Spirit, who gives you the ability to accurately define or perceive spiritual realities. Disobedience to His Word blinds our eyes and blocks our hearing to spiritual realities

Ezek 12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house. (KJV)

Jesus says in Matt 11:12-15 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV)

The term 'He who has ears to hear, let him hear' is used many times.

Mark 8:17-18 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?

18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? (NIV)

Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit! (NIV)

Of the sense of smell, it is written

Gen 8:21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. (NIV)

2 Cor 2:14-16 But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

15 For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

16 To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? (NIV)

Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. (KJV)

Of the sense of taste

Job 6:30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things? (KJV) ***

Ps 34:8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (NIV)

Ps 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (NIV)

Jer 48:11 "Moab has been at rest from youth, like wine left on its dregs, not poured from one jar to another-- she has not gone into exile. So she tastes as she did, and her aroma is unchanged. (NIV)

1 Pet 2:1-3 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. (NIV)

And of the sense of touch the Bible says

1 Chr 16:22 "Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm." (NIV)

Job 1:11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. (KJV)

Matt 9:20-21 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.

21 She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." (NIV)

Luke 5:12-13 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.

13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. (KJV)

Heb 11:28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. (KJV)

See also Ex 4:1-12

Now our value system determines the accuracy of our perception of reality in the natural realm. What determines the accuracy of our perception of reality in the domain of the spiritual? To function effectively in any sphere, there must be an understanding of the paradigms that govern behaviour there. There must be a knowledge of the way things are done. If you are going to move around in unfamiliar territory, wisdom dictates that you should acquire a map whether in the hand or in the head. Your knowledge of the realities of the territory guides you through it. So that in order to determine the accuracy of our perceptions of realities in the spirit realm, there must be an apprehension of the principles which govern it. Strangely enough the same principles that govern the natural realm also govern the spiritual realm. This is because these principles are unchanging being anchored in the Word of God. God's purpose in creation was to make this earth an extension of his kingdom. His purpose has never changed, neither can his principles.

Gen 1:26-27 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (NIV)

Because of sin, the spiritual realm is a realm of warfare as is the natural. Jesus said in Matt 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. (NIV)

2 Cor 10:3-7 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.

7 You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. (NIV)