In the absence of one who interprets or imagines what is seen, then the eyes simply see "what is." IOW, take one step back before imagination comes into play; what then? The eyes then see like the lens of a camera, without any kind of judgement. We might call this "simple seeing," or "pure seeing" or "nonceptual seeing." This kind of seeing is what happens before the mind computer kicks in. This is how little children see the world.
Later, as the intellect develops, the child learns to imagine the world as if it were composed of separate objects "out there" being seen by a separate subject "in here." What I'm writing about is the process of learning how to shut off the mind and simply see without knowing. This kind of seeing is empty and silent. Verbal thought is not present, so there are no illusions created by thought.
Let us say that you hear a sound. If you are just hearing the sound, there is only the sound and nothing else. If you think about the sound or interpret the sound, then the mind has entered the picture and the sound, itself, is no longer the focus of attention. I am saying that if you focus on the sound and stay focused upon the sound, the habit of reflective thought can eventually become a subordinate utility rather than dominant taskmaster. Non-abidance in the mind is the ultimate goal (that is not a goal.)
Later, as the intellect develops, the child learns to imagine the world as if it were composed of separate objects "out there" being seen by a separate subject "in here." What I'm writing about is the process of learning how to shut off the mind and simply see without knowing. This kind of seeing is empty and silent. Verbal thought is not present, so there are no illusions created by thought.
Let us say that you hear a sound. If you are just hearing the sound, there is only the sound and nothing else. If you think about the sound or interpret the sound, then the mind has entered the picture and the sound, itself, is no longer the focus of attention. I am saying that if you focus on the sound and stay focused upon the sound, the habit of reflective thought can eventually become a subordinate utility rather than dominant taskmaster. Non-abidance in the mind is the ultimate goal (that is not a goal.)
