I spent most of yesterday with people who share a similar attitude about mindfulness and the perception that mindfulness creates. I understand better how perceptions shape and highly influence how I see and interpret reality. My perceptions both affect what I see and shield me from seeing things that do not fit my perceptions.
How else could so many features of climate change present themselves and so many people are not able to see what is happening. Their individual perceptions of the natural world shape and restrict what they are able to see.
I notice how many religious groups have been in the midst of sexual abuse and exploitation by their leaders. And yet so many members of those religious groups are unable to recognize and internalize the reality of what is going on. Pema Chodron has finally pulled back, too late perhaps, from her role in the Shambala community because of that group’s inability to respond in a manner that the situation and their values might otherwise demand.
Tens of thousands, perhaps millions of Catholics have sat mute in their pews, inattentive to the sexual exploits of their leaders. Their perceptions have kept them from seeing what has been right before them. Yet they have not responded to, and often denied behavior of their leaders inconsistent with their common values.
So many people have perceptions that shape how they see the terrible behavior of political leaders. The do not recognize, even see behavior that is not only repugnant but also not in their own best interests. Their perceptions bend and shape what they are able to see.
I wonder who it is that can see clearly, independent of the distraction of social media, news casters and preachers? It is not easy to separate myself from these outside influence that would shape my perceptions. It is challenging to see clearly with insight, not influenced by my culture, my teachers, my on-going sources of information.
For this reason, I sit and free my mind from distractions, at least a couple times a day. I slowly learn to see without the guidance and distortions in perception coming from teachers, culture, and media. I sometimes sit with friends who also try to develop the skills of mindfulness, concentration and insight.
Perhaps this will help me see more of the world free from a multitude of distracting, distorting perceptions.