Page last modified 18:14, 21 Nov 2010 by Zen Arado
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Table of contents
- 1. view
View
Lots of ways to go on this one. I found 13 definitions of the word - and that's only the noun!
view
–noun
1.
an instance of seeing or beholding; visual inspection.
2.
sight; vision.
3.
range of sight or vision: Several running deer came into the view of the hunters.
4.
a sight or prospect of a landscape, the sea, etc.: His apartment affords a view of the park.
5.
a picture or photograph of something: The postcard bears a view of Vesuvius.
6.
a particular manner of looking at something: From a practical view, the situation presents several problems.
7.
contemplation or consideration of a matter with reference to action: a project in view.
8.
aim, intention, or purpose.
9.
prospect; expectation: the view for the future.
10.
a sight afforded of something from a position stated or qualified: a bird's-eye view.
11.
a general account or description of a subject.
12.
a conception of a thing; opinion; theory: His view was not supported by the facts.
13.
a survey; inspection: a view of Restoration comedy.
Perhaps (12) is most relevant to our type of discussion. "a conception of a thing; opinion; theory."
To me a view seems a more temporary stance than an opinion, as in - 'this is the way I see this situation at present, but I may be wrong.'
So how do we arrive at holding our present collection of views? From our cultural conditioning, education, temperament etc? I sometimes wonder how much our preferred view on things is hardwired, innate, in the structure of the brain. I seem to remember studies that show certain areas of the brain being more developed in people who believe in God, or have visions of God. (the God spot).
In my own personal way of seeing things, it often feels as if I were following a prescribed path already laid out for me. A friend suggested I drop those 'silly Buddhist beliefs' that mean (to her) that you sit and 'navel-gaze' and accept everything instead fo trying to do something about the problems of the world. But, as I try to explain, my present views are just the outcome and distillation, built up of lots of reading in philosopy and other topics. This has also been reinforced by personal contemplation (meditaton) that has already given me great insights into and eased mental agitation that has caused me much suffering in life.
Perhaps the main thing to remember about views though, is not to cling to them. In fact we should be very suspicious of any of them, knowing our tendency to want to solidify abd attach to things. As udy Lief says about the slogan 'regard all dharmas as dreams' "This slogan challenges our desire to make our world solid and reliable—solid objects, solid self, solid views, solid ideologies, solid opinions, solid relationships, solid everything!"
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