“It isn’t events themselves that disturb people, but only their judgments about them.”
—EPICTETUS, ENCHIRIDION, 5
Musashi, a samurai swordsman, distinguished between the “perceiving eye” and the “observing eye.” The observing eye sees the objective truth of an event, whereas the perceiving eye perceives the meaning and implications of the event, often bringing distress and assigning blame. This can lead to anguish and suffering.
