The Observing Eye and the Perceiving Eye

It is not the event itself that disturbs us, but rather the judgments we form around it. These judgments are influenced by our beliefs about ourselves, how we think others perceive us, and the relevance of those connections. This creates a complex web of interpretations, all based on contextual references rather than absolutes.

As Epictetus wisely stated, "It isn't events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgments about them." Events are objective and inanimate; this is the essence of the 'Observing Eye.' It simply acknowledges things as they are, while emotions are attached to the outcomes by the self.

In contrast, the Perceiving Eye tends to complicate matters. It often leads to blame displacement, where we think, "If they hadn't acted that way, I would have responded differently, and the outcome would have been more favorable for me. Now, how will others perceive this?"

Masushisha, the legendary Samurai teacher, advised his students to keep these two eyes separate. During a fight, one should rely solely on the Observing Eye. After the conflict, the Perceiving Eye can take over. If the Perceiving Eye interferes during the fight, focus is lost, and the purpose of the fight is overshadowed by concerns about others' perceptions.

Let the two eyes remain distinct.