I am soaking in the hot tub this evening. As my muscles relax, I muse about the five ways that I perceive the apparent world: sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.
The waxing crescent moon reflects thin light over me. We are told that the moon is 238,000 miles from the earth—but all I know of the moon is the seeing of it, and seeing occurs right here, closer than close.
I hear a car in the distance–rubber tires on the road. The sound seems far away, but all I know is the hearing of it, and hearing occurs right here, closer than close.
I touch my arm. This appears closer than the moon, but still a few inches away—but all I know is the perception of texture, and that takes place right here, closer than close.
A slight tang of rotten apples hangs in the air. Did we miss clearing a few from under our tree six weeks ago? The tree is about thirty feet away, but all I know of the rotting apples is the smelling of them—and smelling happens right here, closer than close.
I taste fresh mint after brushing my teeth. Tasting takes place right here, closer than close.
Distance is a useful tool—we need to use the concept every day to navigate life. I’m grateful for it. But in my direct experience, the whole apparent world is birthed within awareness, as are my perceptions of it. Immediate and intimate. Closer than close.
© Amrita Skye Blaine, 2014
the heart of the matter 
Wonderful overview of direct experience! I have to admit this has been difficult for me…..that things/sounds are not out there but “closer than close”. Gets clearer everyday though. Thanks….
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I sincerely believe that we perceive the apparent world in at least one additional way, and that is energetically. In the experience of each of our “known” senses is the sense we most often called emotion, and such emotion leads us to a secure connection or an insecure state of fight, flight, or freeze. You have described the secure connection experience of your 5 senses, and it is all so beautiful, soaking in the tub, bathing in the thin light of the waxing moon, feeling ever so secure. What a good night.
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