Perception - The reality beyond matter

Science is a story written by installments over time, and since so much information gets updated these days, I one day found myself wondering... What is "reality"? Is matter all that is real? One thing is for sure - change.

That might seem like a silly question given how we use our senses to interact with 'reality' everyday, but I have since arrived at ideas which I am comfortable with regarding these questions (although Im still curious). So heres some questions to play with - play nicely :-)

If I had to point to where my idea or concept of reality is maintained, Id be pointing to my head - how about you?

Is all this environmental information just vibrational energies which are presented to our body and then decoded to form a perception in the brain according to our programs and patterns? ie: Do we subconsciously 'read' or filter this data then build an experience that seems real?

Can I get outside of my experience to prove anything is fact or real, or is reality bound to ones experience like the fabric to the shirt?

What of the realities I have when I dream, - my body still responds as if they are real, so what is reality?
If I am not the cause (creator) of my experience; the director of my focus of attention on some level whether awake or asleep, am I controlled by something else?
And if I am completely controlled by something other than me, what then is the purpose of my life?

I wish you all - many pleasant realities.

Pete.