ENLIGHTENED PERCEPTION
The ability to see in Mind characterizes the nature of enlightened perception. Upon becoming identified with the field of pure consciousness, and having the veil of ignorance removed, the soul experiences a profound change in the self: That which was previously experienced as an empty field of silent darkness is now experienced as filled with modes of transcendental light and sound, which are both seen and heard.
In other words, the emptiness is transformed into fullness.Yet the modes of transcendental light and sound are not seen or heard by the physical organs of sense. Instead, they are perceived by the divine mind—the field of pure consciousness. According to the Vedic texts, this field contains all the qualities of the senses, even though it operates independently from the physical organs of sense. It has the ability to see without eyes, hear without ears, and so forth.
On the other hand, because the field of pure consciousness serves as the one eternal self of all beings, it can be said to have eyes, ears, heads, feet, and so on. It literally experiences the world through the senses of all beings. Regarding this extraordinary form of enlightened perception, the Vedic texts state:
Its hands and feet are everywhere, its eyes and head are everywhere, its ears are everywhere, it stands encompassing all in the world. Separate from all the senses, yet reflecting the qualities of all the senses, it is the lord and ruler of all, it is the great refuge of all.... Grasping without hands, moving without feet, [the enlightened self] sees without eyes, hears without ears. He knows what can be known, but no one knows him.5
In order to know the enlightened self, the soul must become the enlightened self, for it can be known only by itself.