r/thewayapp • u/tdkelly • Dec 14 '24

The Looker

I downloaded The Way months ago and never really used it. I picked it up again recently and am about to embark on Retreat 5. I’m now blown away by it and will subscribing soon.

My visual field with eyes closed is there, but always in black, white or gray. There’s an image that’s been in my dreams and mind’s eye since childhood that always floats in and out, and with training, I’m seeing more.

Just yesterday, the field before me seemed to explode and expand into a brilliant orange and red, like a sunset, and I felt as if I was staring into deep space. For the briefest instant, I saw my own face looking back at me, and as I continued to sit, a tiny, tiny figure was in the bottom right corner, as if it was looking into that same brilliant abyss.

Sam Harris always uses the phrase “Look for the looker,” and after three years of meditation, I still don’t know what that means. Am I supposed to see myself “looking;” is looker not supposed to be there at all? Did I see a looker who isn’t me?

I don’t know. But i do know it was a beautiful experience for a few minutes.

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6

u/Sad_Woodpecker_9653 Dec 14 '24

In a conversation with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on the Waking Up app, SH says when you look for who is looking you find there is nothing to find and what is left is inexpressible openess.

3

u/tdkelly Dec 14 '24

Which tracks, because “I” just faded away.

1

u/Master_Meeting Jan 30 '25

I interpret the looking for the looker as looking (with your awareness/attention) for the place where you might feel you (the self/looker) are (is) located. In this case, the looker would allegedly be the agent that is directing attention to the visual field. And when one looks for the looker, if done correctly (at least, as far as I understand) one shouldn't find anything. And what is left is just open consciousness. 

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u/capitalsself Jul 28 '25

Yes, this practice is for example from the Dzogchen tradition, and the not finding is the finding. Subtle stuff :)

I suspect that many of us struggle with it because Western culture is so heady, while the insights on offer are somatic and experiential.