The Ride You’re On Isn’t Real – And That Changes Everything

What if the fears controlling your life are nothing more than an illusion? The choice you make next could redefine everything.

The Ride You’re On Isn’t Real – And That Changes Everything is a mind-expanding journey through the profound insights of the late comedian Bill Hicks. In this thought-provoking video, Hicks challenges viewers to question the nature of reality, likening life to a thrilling amusement park ride that feels real but is ultimately an illusion. Through his powerful words, Hicks explores how fear and love shape our experiences and choices, offering a radical perspective on how we can transform our lives and the world.
Hicks urges us to see through the illusion of fear—the desire for control, isolation, and materialism that drives much of modern life. Instead, he invites us to embrace love, the unifying force that connects all beings. This poignant message is not just a call to reflection but an inspiring vision of how humanity can evolve by choosing compassion over fear. By shifting our perspective, Hicks suggests, we can escape the confines of the “ride” and rediscover peace and connection.
The video also delves into the transformative power of choice, emphasizing that creating a better world doesn’t require monumental effort—just a simple decision to prioritize love and unity. Hicks’ words challenge us to reimagine how we allocate resources, interact with one another, and envision the future. His message is timeless, resonating deeply in a world often dominated by fear and division.
Perfect for fans of philosophy, spirituality, and social change, The Ride You’re On Isn’t Real – And That Changes Everything is both a wake-up call and an invitation to live more authentically. Whether you’re searching for personal clarity or a broader understanding of life, this video offers profound wisdom wrapped in Hicks’ trademark humor and insight.

The world is like a ride at an amusement park and when you choose to go on it, you think it’s real because that’s how powerful our minds are. The ride goes up and down and round and round. It has thrills and chills and it’s very brightly colored and it’s very loud and it’s fun for a while.

Some people have been on the ride for a long time and they begin to question, “Is this real?” “Or is this just a ride?” Other people have remembered and they come back to us and they say, “Don’t worry! Don’t be afraid ever! Because this is just a ride!”

But we always kill those good guys who try to tell us that. And we let the demons run amok?

But it doesn’t matter because it’s just a ride and we can change it anytime we want.

It’s only a choice – no effort, no work, no job, no savings or money – a choice, right now, between fear and love.

The eyes of fear want you to put bigger locks on your doors, buy guns, close yourself off. The eyes of love instead see all of us as one.

Here’s what we can do to change the world right now to a better ride – take all the money we spend on weapons and defense every year and instead spend it feeding, clothing, and educating the poor of the world which it would many times over, not one human being excluded, and we can explore space, both inner and outer, forever, in peace.

 

With American comedian Bill Hicks there was always an awareness of other people, of how our society links together. With this came an idealism and a vision of what the world could be. But first he had to slay all the “fevered egos” polluting the planet. He saw himself as a flame, Shiva The Destroyer, using comedy as a weapon to expose truths and show people how governments are screwing us every day of our lives. He also happened to be achingly funny such was the accuracy of his comedy. At the age of 13 Bill Hicks did his first gig. Six weeks before his death, aged 32, he did the last. In the intervening years he frequently did over 250 gigs a year. He tried to reach as many people as possible, to put them in touch with inner and outer space in a majestic flight of One Consciousness thinking. Those he inspired haven’t lost the ability to take a ride.

“kinda tragic and a kinda magic. 30 years ago …..absolutely relevant today…..love bill hicks”

“I appreciate the audio quality / clean-up on this, ty :)”

“I choose love.”

“Beautiful. Thank you for that”

“Chomsky talks about how the dying breaths of movements and mentalities are the strongest, fueled by intense emotion and grasping for survival. We are seeing that now…a shift is coming.”

 

For more from the speaker, visit his memorial website.

Music by:

Tides and Dreams – Elliot Middleton

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