Cause and Effect

What, in the scope of reality, truly causes anything? What appears to be a cause of an event in most instances is not the sole cause, but it is, rather, the conceptual cause. Paradoxically in the true reality, there is no cause and effect and no duality. Nothing causes anything else; everything is an expression of its own essence and is self-existent. However, life as we know it is not the true reality but is rather a reality based on ego, duality, cause, and effect, and it is influenced by our perception and ego.