“Eyes of the Mirror” is a video that was made at the end of 2015. It uses open eye meditation as a technique for engaging with a landscape. A version was screened in Winnipeg in November 2015. Below is the text.
“Eyes of the Mirror”
During this open eye meditation, you will focus on seeing. This will calm your mind and relax your body.
There is no right or wrong way to see. Whatever you experience during this open eye meditation is right for you. Don’t try to make anything happen, just observe.
Begin by finding a comfortable position, but one in which you will not fall asleep. Sitting on the floor with your legs crossed is a good position to try.
Open your eyes or focus on a spot in the landscape in front of you.
Roll your shoulders slowly forward and then slowly back.
Lean your head from side to side, lowering your left ear toward your left shoulder, and then your right ear toward your right shoulder.
Relax your muscles.
Your body will continue to relax as you meditate.
Observe your seeing. Notice how your seeing slowly is going out of focus. Make no effort to change your seeing in any way, simply notice how your body sees. One by one you will forget the names of the things in front of you.
When your attention wanders, as it will, just focus back again on your seeing.
Notice any stray thoughts, but don’t dwell on them. Simply let the thoughts pass.
Acknowledge how your seeing continues to flow…deeply… calmly.
Notice the stages of a complete sight… from the blink… to the pause that follows… the opening of the eye lids and the long pause before blinking again..
See the slight breaks between each blink.
Feel the image entering through your eyes…imagine the light flowing through your eyes and then into your brain…
As thoughts intrude, allow them to pass, and return your attention to your seeing.
(Pause)
Notice now how your body feels.
See how calm and gentle your breathing is, and how relaxed your body feels.
Now it is time to gently reawaken your body and mind.
Keeping your eyes open, notice the sounds around you. Feel the floor beneath you. Feel your clothes against your body. Remember the words for the things around you.
Wiggle your fingers and toes.
Shrug your shoulders.
Close your eyes, and remain sitting for a few moments longer.
Straighten out your legs, and stretch your arms and legs gently.
Sit for a few moments more, enjoying how relaxed you feel, and experiencing your body reawaken and your mind returning to its usual level of alertness. The names of the people, places and things in the world come back to you.
Slowly return to a standing position, and continue with the rest of your day, feeling re-energized.
Steven Duval 