9 Ways of Looking – Perception Training for Peace and Bliss
What is it you are seeking?
When I was finally able to answer this question, it turned out to be three things; trust, intimacy, and wonder. The seeking didn’t so much end in an answer, but in a new relationship with life.
I have found that there are 9 ways of looking that can guide us to the peace and bliss that comes from a relationship with life that is based on trust, intimacy, and wonder.
It is important to always keep in mind that none of these ways of looking are really real, but they are just as real as our normal way of perceiving (remember that all perceptions are empty). Eventually, these ways of perceiving blend into one (stillness) and become effortless.
I suggest to clients that they practice these ways of looking throughout the day. Some are harder than others, so at first, it is important to stick to the ones that come easiest (e.g. the first one isn’t really available to us until we develop a deep relationship with stillness). We can always come back to the harder ones later.
- I am supported by stillness (trust). This way of looking becomes available once we are aware of the permanent stillness at the core of our being.
- I am choosing what is happening (trust). Seeing ourselves as life being endlessly creative and creating this current experience.
- I appreciate what is here (trust). Saying ‘yes’ to everything in our current experience.
- Appreciating physical sensations (intimacy). Appreciating the physical sensations in our body right now enlivens and increases the intensity of what we are experiencing.
- I am the entirety of what I am experiencing (intimacy). What I am experiencing is creating the sense of me.
- All is stillness (intimacy). Viewing life as the dance of stillness.
- I don’t know what I’m experiencing (wonder). Letting go of all ideas and labels about what it is we are experiencing. Looking at life as if we were a newborn baby seeing things for the first time.
- I don’t know what I am (wonder).
- I experience a sense of wonder about what is going to happen next (wonder).
