Opening your eyes in complete darkness is a very relaxing practice, to which we do not pay enough attention.
The eyes and the mind benefit greatly.
Appeasement and serenity are allowed by the widening made possible when the eyes do not ‘catch’ anything. It seems that thoughts do the same.
This is also why the practitioner of silent sitting (zazen) keeps his eyes open and does not focus on anything specific.
I feel that the movements of the eyes act on the thoughts as the movement of the legs sets the bike in motion: pedals, “gears”, wheels, etc.
©FJ Jan 2026
Recueils / Participation/ Groupes
Notes & Silence 
« No light, but only darkness visible. »
Hmm…
From memory, that is how Milton conceived of the flames of Hell…
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Mmh…
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Lucky am I, then, not to have much general knowledge.
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That seems to translate as: « Ignorance is bliss. »
I’m not convinced…
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Neither am I.
But too much intellectual knowledge is a hindrance along the way.
And a thickening of ignorance, eventually.
Ignorance of the nature of reality.
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I doubt the idea of « too much intellectual knowledge. » Rather, an imbalance whereby knowledge outstrips wisdom.
Whatever that is…
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