Images and how we see them

All images are references to the soul, they are how the soul speaks to us and informs us of what's going on behind the mask. Before we formulate a word, we formulate an image. And as the Buddhist formula goes, words become actions, actions become habits, habits become our character and our character becomes our destiny. I like to include emotions in the formula and fit it in between images and words. So first we have an image, then the image conjures up an emotion and we give it a name, or a word. That word then becomes very important because it will be expressed and shared with the world. Some of us express impulsively which is probably the most dangerous way of sharing the image whilst others reflect in different degrees before speaking.

A good measure of consciousness is to take a  moment before speaking as speaking then conjures up further images that will be perceived unconsciously.

The image that inspired me today was this one:

When I looked at it I thought, "wow! that's me!" The image conjured up other images of Mary Poppins and the Rainbow Light. Put them together and I am looking at the past me and the present me in one joyous leap of faith. I knew my soul was speaking directly to me and so I immediately chose to reflect on the image. I just wish I knew who took the image and where it came from. The internet is full of images most of which are not copyrighted but that doesn't mean we shouldn't take a moment to credit the creator... if we manage to find him/her!

But I digress... the principle of Asteya, which means non-stealing can be further explored in another blog.

So this is why we love images. They tell us exactly who we are by our responses. The two physical eyes are the prime receptors of illusion which makes them very vulnerable to dowloading into the receptive mind. Becoming selective of what we look at is a way of becoming responsible for the output of images we share with the rest of the world.

It is said that one person's "drishti" or gaze can modify our existence. Another reason to download images of love and unity and help modify and heal the world one "drishti" at a time.

p.s. the word "drishti" is Sanskrit and signifies "gaze." Here is a more thorough explanation from www.drishti.ca
Meaning of 'Drishti'

Drishti is a Sanskrit word that comes from yoga. The practice of Drishti is a gazing technique that develops concentration and teaches you to see the world as it really is. In yoga, drishti is a point of focus where the gaze rests during a posture and meditation practice--gazing outward while bringing awareness inward. Not limited to yoga practice, drishti can also refer to outward vision and inward awareness in other areas of life. Similar to other Sanskrit words, "drishti" can be interpreted on various levels. It can mean the quality of vision one might use around a planning table, it can mean the vision that unites values with action, or it can mean the vision or recognition of oneness between self and other.

The Eastern philosopher, Patanjali, points out that in viewing the world, we don’t always see reality clearly, but instead tend toward seeing things as we’d like them to be. This influence of our own preferences, assumptions, and biases can occlude a clear view and become what the philosophers call a false perception. Philosophies both East and West consider this confusion or false perception to be one of the root causes of suffering. They explain that alleviating suffering is possible only when we are able to see things are they really are.