THE WINDOWS TO THE SOUL

Image Source: James Toose (Unsplash)

An adage states, "the eyes are the windows to the soul." As a retired paramedic, I can affirm this statement as I have witnessed numerous patients transitioning from this lifetime. Still, I leave you to draw your conclusions based on personal experience. This week, we continue our journey by examining the sense of sight.

In short, light from an outside source passes through the cornea, pupil, and lens to the retina at the back of the eye. Nerve impulses pass through the optic nerve to the visual cortex at the back of the brain. These impulses travel to other brain areas to interpret images as people, places, or things recalled from memory and learning (2023). A fun fact that I learned from the Alexa question of the day app is that the human eye can see approximately 10 million colors, though this varies from person to person. Let's explore ways to use this sense to our advantage mindfully.

Commune with Nature

Spending time outdoors is an excellent way to stay grounded in the present. Lie on your back and gaze at the clouds, hike, rest, people watch, or observe the animal species at work - the list is endless. The power of observation can be a serene and healing experience if we surrender to the moment. Mother nature provides a majestic backdrop that changes daily.

Find a focal point

Another present-centered practice is the fixed gaze or focal point. In a yoga practice, this is called drishti, concentrated attention. For example, as the practitioner holds a pose such as Warrior Two, the gaze is fixed on the fingertips of the leading arm (see photo).

Image Source: Katee Lue (Unsplash)

Candle-gazing meditation offers an opportunity to focus from a seated position. Light a candle before you and concentrate on the flame. A safer way to accomplish this is to use a battery-operated candle or an app on your phone.

Visualization

Guided meditation is a tool that taps into the sense of sight without leaving your home. Do a YouTube search for guided meditations, and you will find hundreds (if not thousands) that vary from a few minutes to an hour or more. My first yoga teacher, a friend, always said that the "US Olympic team uses visualization. If it is good enough for them, it is good enough for us." She offered this as an alternative when certain poses became either challenging or fatiguing.

Mindfulness asks us to meet ourselves where we are without regard for the past or the future, and our vision offers endless possibilities to observe, reflect, and enjoy. Until next time -

Namaste,

Tim

References

Vision: How does eyesight work? Retrieved from https://www.allaboutvision.com/eye-care/eye-anatomy/vision/ on 2/27/2023.

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