beware mind/body dualism: instead say "my model of reality is such a curious thing".

Why? It's clumsy and not colloquial. It's the properties of the the brain we're talking about. I see no mind-body dualism implied by saying "the brain is such a curious thing".

It's not my model of reality because it's not conscious thought that is responsible for the illusion.

Dualism is just fine in casual conversation. Avoid it in science.

Who has the model now? And who was engaging in dualism? :D