The Lens. . .
Each of us walks through life with a lens—shaped by our experiences, beliefs, emotions, and fears. This lens, our personal perception, is not fixed or absolute. It colors everything we see, hear, and interpret. And yet, we often forget that what we see is not the world as it is, but the world as we are.
In Buddhism, this truth is foundational. The Buddha taught that “With our thoughts, we make the world.” This is not just poetry—it is a call to deep awareness. Our perceptions are not always reality; they are reflections. They are shaped by mood, memory, and even momentary discomfort. And when we are unaware of this, we mistake judgment for truth and reaction for wisdom.
Understanding Perception
To live with wisdom, we must begin to understand that our minds are not mirrors, but painters. They don’t simply reflect—they interpret, they dramatize, they edit. When someone speaks to us sharply, we may perceive disrespect. But is it truly disrespect, or are we hearing it through our own insecurities? When plans fall apart, we may perceive failure. But is it failure, or simply redirection?
Perception is personal. And that is both the challenge and the opportunity.
Working with Perception
- Pause and Notice – When you feel triggered or unsettled, pause. Ask yourself: What story am I telling myself about this? Often, our perceptions run ahead of the facts. Bringing them into awareness softens their control.
- Seek the Other Angle – In meditation and mindfulness, we learn to observe without judgment. Can you see the same situation from another person’s eyes? Can you step back and see the wider picture, not just your role in it?
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think – This simple truth can bring immense peace. Our thoughts and perceptions are not facts. They are clouds passing through the sky of awareness. Let them pass without clinging.
- Practice Beginner’s Mind – In Zen, we practice seeing each moment freshly, without the weight of past perceptions. Try approaching situations with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to be surprised. This breaks the pattern of filtered seeing.
From Perception to Clarity
When we become aware of our personal perceptions, we create space between stimulus and response. We become less reactive, more thoughtful, and more compassionate. We learn that not every feeling needs a reaction, not every assumption needs defending.
This is freedom—not the absence of perception, but the awareness of it.
Today, notice the lens you are looking through. Is it tinted with fear, anger, hope, or expectation? Can you clean it with awareness? Can you allow the moment to be what it is—not what you assume it to be?
In that simple shift, wisdom is born.
Be well, be clear, and see with kind eyes.
Peace and Love, Jim
#lens #thedailybuddha #tdb
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