And wasn't my mind also like another crib in the depths of…
“And wasn't my mind also like another crib in the depths of which I felt I remained ensconced, even in order to watch what was happening outside? When I saw an external object, my awareness that I was seeing it would remain between me and it, lining it with a thin spiritual border that prevented me from ever directly touching its substance; it would volatize in some way before I could make contact with it, just as an incandescent body brought near a wet object never touches its moisture because it is always preceded by a zone of evaporation.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Perception is filtered by a mental barrier that separates observer from observed, creating a veil that prevents direct experience of reality.
In simple terms: Our mind creates a thin veil between us and the world.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and try to pierce the mental veil.
Themes
perception
subjectivity
awareness
philosophy
existence
Mood
contemplative
introspective
philosophical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- artistic observation
- scientific measurement
- mindfulness meditation
Key Concepts
phenomenology
cognitive separation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the veil shape your reality?
- Can you ever fully experience the external?
A Different Perspective
The veil may be necessary for mental stability.