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SNOWFLAKE
MEDITATION

There are a number of different methods of perception, and perceptual awareness. In the attempt to explain awareness without attachment, and perception without concentration, I will use the snowflake model (Buddhist meditative view). This will be differentiated from awareness through filtering and/or ignoring non-relevant events and indicators, such as driving a car, through the rain, without windshield wipers (analytical or sectarian religious view).

Mind Narrowing

In the case of the driving in the rain, without wipers, perception is limited by either:

  • ignoring individual raindrops and/or patterns of rain falling, or
  • relegating the rain patterns to a low priority.
The driving mentality has an emphasis on going forward implied, which concentrates on a line type of perception, which is confined primarily to two dimensional, and one direction. The further limiting of perception ignoring the raindrops, heightens this tunnel vision. In this environment, not much is considered, perceived or thought: that does not relate to movement and arriving at a destination. Looking through the side windows, is rare, so both sides of a direction are lost. The meaning and reality is totally shaped by it's use for travel by the driver. I would call perception limitted by attachment.

This method is used in:

  • the external martial styles blocking method which relies on a predetermined reaction based response
  • 'our way is the only way' religious businesses
  • the sciences
  • jogging, concentrating on the individual steps, and the trail just in front of you
  • ethics, determining the specifics for the situation
  • mathematics, this is the step method for figuring a curve, rather than the differential calculus method for figuring a curve.

Snowflake Model: Open Consciousness

The non-driving perception of snowflakes can be three or four dimensional, and not limited by direction. One way see an individual snowflake, becoming conscious of the snowflake pattern, speed of fall, distance from other snowflakes. One way shift the focus to see the composite view of a pattern of many snowflakes falling, or the differences in snowflakes.

One might shift the emphasis of this composite view to:

  • segments of falling snowflakes,
  • movements of groups of snowflakes caused by shifts in the wind, or
  • movements of groups of snowflakes caused location of one's eyes when viewing, etc.

Consciousness shifting is possible by:

  • being aware of the snowflakes but thinking of something else daydreaming), or
  • seeing a recurring pattern of snowflakes that is common through the viewing without concentrating on the individual snowflakes, etc.

With this manner of perceiving snowflakes, there is no limitation, or exclusive perception necessary, although on way focus. One reality is not judged to be better or worse than the other. Multiple realities may simultaneously exist, some would say an infinite number, or that number of views cease to have a meaning. I would call this unattached perception, similar to Buddhist meditation.

This method is used in:

  • the internal martial styles defensive method of being there, before the attack
  • when jogging, listening to the tempo and rhythm of the pace
  • non-denominational spiritual services
  • the arts, where the image is used rather than an aspect
  • ethics where it is the principal that is relied on, which is timeless, and has many manifestations
  • jogging, putting the run on auto and becoming aware of the surroundings or listening to one's breath/heart.

DISCUSSION

Although there might be some superficial comparisons of snowflakes falling, to patterns on the TV, this analogy misses a lot, the obvious being the three dimensional aspects of reality, compared to the flat TV screen. The fixed form of viewing a screen, also adds to the narrowing of perception, as does the limit of the screen. No smells, sense of cold, humidity, or 360 degree awareness exist in the TV screen viewing or in the lineland of filtered perception (driving to a target).

A TV screen has minimal involvement, and impact to the viewer, whereas snow and rain falling has interaction with the viewer.

Any viewing can be used as a placeholder to daydreaming, but viewing Nature can have the oneness or connection with Nature;
influence, or determine the viewing, redefine the Natural connection, affect the the state of being, and/or the spirit.

Since viewing the TV is limited by the screen, and the interpretation of the electronic media, it is also shaped by many other factors, such as; one's own history, one's culture, comparisons of other events using the same TV medium and one's lived experience.


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