For all of our history, when people think they see themselves, they are always seeing themselves reflected backwards. Recently, with cameras and video, they can get a sense of what they look like forwards, but its a static or non-eye to eye view. However, as it turns out, the backward images and person we see in a mirror is profoundly different from what is real. The backwardsness distorts not just our features, but the information in our faces and personalities as well. No wonder we see ourselves differently than others see us!

A True Mirror is surprisingly more than an amazing novelty. We are excited to promote as a new source of awareness and enlightenment.

The introspective use of the True Mirror can be an important boost towards your own self-awareness and greater self-esteem. This happens by knowing your actual image and expressions as you exist in real life, and as your are seen by everyone else.

In contrast, the incorrect view seen in a traditional mirror can be major source of self-doubt and self-criticism - simply because it is not the "real you" when your eyes meet in the mirror. How can you understand yourself, your emotions and your expressions when there is such distortion?

We've discovered some fascinating aspects of human nature that arise when people see their true appearance. Because it is very challenging to confront new information about one's self, the responses are usually very dramatic...some love it, some hate it, some see no difference, and some will not even look! But we feel its just a matter of time to become familiar with the new image, and most people will begin to prefer the new look. It is natural, after all.

War and Peace citation: We continue to find new references to the way that mirrors affect us, but we were really surprised when the following passage from War and Peace jumped out at us - it really highlights the essence of why the True Mirror is so important:

(from a letter to Princess Mary from her friend Julie:) ...Why cannot i now, as three months ago, draw fresh moral strength from your look, so gentle, calm, and penetrating, a look I loved so well and seem to see before me as I write?"

          Having read this far, Princess Mary sighed and glanced into the mirror which stood on her right. It reflected a weak, ungraceful figure and thin face. Her eyes, always sad, now looked with particular hopelessness at her reflection in the glass. "She flatters me," thought the princess, turning away and continuing to read. But Julie did not flatter her friend; the princess' eyes -- large, deep and luminous (it seemed as if at times there radiated from them shafts of warm light) -- were so beautiful that very often in spite of the plainness of her face they gave her an attraction more powerful than that of beauty. But the princess never saw the beautiful expression of her own eyes -- the look they had when she was not thinking of herself. As with everyone, her face assumed a forced unnatural expression as soon as she looked in a glass.