Friday, November 26, 2021
Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you could perceive everything without judgment? Innocent perception, holding no opinion, and having no worry about what comes into your perspective is worth a try. I suppose the Zen masters would tell you that it is possible to detach from what seems to bother you, to separate from your own judgement of everything. But what’s actually going on, under the disguise of strategizing, is that we try settle in on the so-called right perception. What feels like the “best” scenario is vulnerable to getting condemned and judged, yet again. Every time you conceptualize, you create a target for judgement, and thus the game of ping pong begins.
Existence has become conceptual for many. But we are born innocent, a clean slate, purely aware, and unable to perceive, conditionally. Oh, to lack the ability to condemn everything! I think we do have the ability to practice innocent perception, not to defile every situation or every thought with a judgment about it.
Becoming an innocent observer, a bystander of your life is hard, but a healthy practice. It doesn’t mean you give up or disengage, it just means that you give up on the inner anguish. There are times where you do want to strategize about practical things – where to eat, what to wear, etc. But there are also times when that’s not getting you anywhere, and you have to just let innocence guide you. As adults, when we cannot control things, we just anguish over our “strategy,” tossing thoughts back and forth, in an endless inner game that never has a declared winner. Devote your time to practicing being innocently present with whatever you are engaged in. Remember, what you think is strategizing is anguishing from one concept to another. Practice perceiving peacefully, taking in everything innocently and gently, as it comes to you, in the present moment. You might be surprised at what could come as a result of that kind of strategy.