Experiences are Determined by Attention

Let’s say that we see physically, in this world, through the eyes. The eyes present a definite image to us of perception, of reality, of trees, cars, people, houses, experiences. The eyes, though, definitely color our experience. 

Suppose we had a different organ of perception. Suppose we couldn’t see, and we could just touch. Then we would see and feel — we would touch, rather, and in our touching we would apprehend and get a certain idea of what things were like, which would be far different than seeing, right? 

So each sense shows us a different side of what is. However, if we just had one sense, we might not get a complete picture. We see a certain side of something and we suppose that that’s all there is. Transcendentalism suggests that our perception is really incomplete.

When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality. This is always exhilarating and sublime. 

I perceive that we inhabitants of New England live this mean life that we do because our vision does not penetrate the surface of things. We think that that is which appears to be.

Men esteem truth remote, in the outskirts of the system, behind the farthest star, before Adam and after the last man. In eternity there is indeed something true and sublime. 

But all these times and places and occasions are now and here.