# ANCIENT CULTURES and PANORAMIC SENSING

There must be many more examples of its use in ancient cultures, please contact me if you know any.

Avoid misinterpretations. This has little to do with focusing on the present moment. It also has nothing to do with Shamanism... nothing to do with finding your animal spirit.

This could be called sensefulness, but it's only vaguely related to mindfulness. Mindfulness is typically focused on the body or breathing (without smelling) and with the eyes closed.

## Dadirri

Among the Australian aborigines it is called Dadirri : "Simply sit and look at and listen to the earth and environment that surrounds you."

However in the explanations i have read, there is always an emphasis on focusing. "Focus on something specific, such as a bird, a blade of grass, a clump of soil, cracked earth, a flower, bush or leaf, a cloud in the sky or a body of water, whatever you can see."

I believe this 'focusing on specific things' is a modern development.
Source: Deep Listening (dadirri)

## Buddha's Middle Way

Panoramic sensing is a perfect practical example of Buddha's Middle Way. It is a way of using the senses without any sensory indulgence or sensory withdrawal. (This idea is not acknowledged by any Buddhist.)

Pre-literate cultures often had no clear terminology to differentiate between panoramic and focused sensing. "No sensory indulgence or sensory withdrawal" is an excellent way of describing how the senses can be used without closing off or focusing with them.

##
Tao Taoism started in China around 600 BCE. It teaches harmony with nature rather than supreme enlightenment.
and Zen

Martial Arts combine focused and panoramic perception as used by predatory animals – i don't know if martial arts cultivate pure panoramic perception.

The Chinese and Zen idea of "seeing without looking – hearing without listening" expresses it wonderfully. (I think this quote comes from Bodhidharma – but from where?).

In Taoist and Zen literature, i believe it is meant by the term 'just sensing'.

However "seeing without looking – hearing without listening" and 'just sensing' are always interpreted by modern teachers as a shift in psychological perspective to higher states of consciousness; rather than how we actually use our everyday anatomical senses.

Once you've experienced panoramic sensing, i think you'll agree that 'just sensing' and "seeing without looking – hearing without listening" are very good descriptions of panoramic awareness.

Pure panoramic awareness must be the original idea behind the Taoist and Zen practice of "Staring at Walls". Try it out. Looking at a blank boring wall is ideal as a bridge to panoramic seeing.

## Hakalau

On Hawii panoramic vision is called Hakalau. Please see Hakalau.

## Wide Angle Vision

The North American Indians called it wide angle vision.

Jesuit
Praxis des Herzensgebets
Andreas Ebert, Peter Musto, Claudius Verlag, Munchen 2013
This book appears to be only available in German. It's based on the meditation methods of Franz Jalicz. It uses panoramic awareness to open the mind and then alternates this with focused meditations on the marks of the crucifix, the name "Maria", and other esoteric mystical practices. It is claimed these practices were used by 'the desert fathers', the early Christians. I imagine the desert fathers used panoramic awareness without the mysticism, i may be incorrect.

Modern Psychology and Social Media
There are a number of YouTube videos. Some have made by people who have only done it a few times. And it is often taught combined with focusing on specific intentions (i.e. as predatory animals use it).

Back to Chapter One : The Animal Teachings
Back to THE PANORAMA SENSES Priority Pages