seeing is believing

[Guest guest]

I see, yet not I – from Doug Lloyd

 

 

(a) Science and Sight.

According to science images are formed on the retina of the eye.

These images produce chemical change in particular cells and these

in turn send a stream of electrical pulses to a few cubic

centimetres of matter. Where is the sight of the ocean, the clouds,

sky-scrapers etc. in all this? Science is silent on the subject.

A noted thinker, J.S.Mill has said, " That the eye is necessary to

sight seems to me the notion of one immersed in matter. "

(b) Mind the Seer?

So it seems logical to infer there is that which sees. Is it a non-

material-entity called " Mind " that is the seer? This is what Raynor

Johnson, in his book, " The Imprisoned Splendour " suggests.

© 1st Person Singular the Seer.

Could it be that the 1st Person Singular is the seer? This is what

Douglas Harding, in his book " The Science of the 1st Person "

suggests: " When I say 'I see Jack' and 'Jack sees Jill' I

naturally assume that the word " see " carries the same meaning in

both sentences. So I twist the facts to fit the language.

I " observe " Jill to be distinct and distant from Jack, and face-to-

face with him in symmetrical relationship; and go on to " imagine "

myself to be in a similar situation - distinct and distant from

Jill, face-to-face with her, in symmetrical relationship. But in

fact it's not like that at all. There is no observer given here

distinct and distant from Jill; she and I are face-to-no-face, and

the set-up is not symmetrical. No wonder I'm tricked, when the same

word is used in two contrasting sentences. No wonder I think I

must, here, be like Jack and Jill over there - must be that sort

of " seer " doing that sort of " seeing " .

(d) Conclusion.

I look into the mirror as I shave. A face is there. Mine I suppose,

for it seems the same as some photos of me. But I am startled,

flabbergasted, bewildered. Lost for words. There's nothing looking

at that face in the mirror. The faceless is looking at the face.

The invisible is seeing the visible.

Amidst the bewilderment and fear there is peace. The peace of the

invisible that passeth all understanding.

Doug Lloyd.