The Mind’s Eye - The Spot - Perception
The Mind’s Eye
First of all, few adults understand the internal dynamics of the phenomenon of the “Mind’s Eye”, and its significant role in accurate perception and reading. The concept of the Mind’s Eye goes back hundreds of years and can be found in yogic traditions, philosophy and in art training, however in the year 2021 most parents and children are unfamiliar with the concept.
The dyslexic, or for that matter anyone that can read but does not like to read, must become aware of and begin to tame this dragon: their Mind’s Eye. Why? For an individual to HAVE consistent and accurate perception of flat, 2-D letters, words and symbols, the reader must become aware of and manage their Mind’s Eye on a point of focus.
From the yogic tradition, we use the name “Bindu,” which in Sanskrit means “point”. We call this point “The Spot.” It enables us to focus on all of our sensory input so it can dissolve into a point of consciousness. Magical I Am developed the game mechanic called Bindu M E. Tech to help a reader stabilize their Mind’s Eye on a focus point, The Spot. "Going to The Spot” enables the reader to have consistent perception of words and symbols every time. The use of Bindu M.E. Tech demonstrates to parents, teachers, and even to students how and why their perceptions can be different from what is on the written page and how to stabilize their perception.
Confusion
Typically, it is the CONFUSION that develops when reading that triggers the Mind’s Eye to manipulate sensory input.
For example, when reading, the sense of vision can see a p, or the letter can become seen as a… d, b, or q … depending on the viewing point of the reader.
Likewise, the word “was" can be manipulated by the Mind’s Eye to be viewed as the word “saw”.
There are numerous views that the Mind’s Eye can take of any word or symbol. This type of sensory manipulation of multiple viewpoints takes place within the subliminal band of thought (below conscious awareness) to MAKE SENSE of the word or words being read. Perhaps more importantly, the individual who is reading is usually unaware of what their mind, or really their Mind’s Eye, is attempting to do. The confusion that develops from the Mind’s Eye taking multiple perceptual viewpoints makes consistent perception of letters, words, and symbols impossible.
Technically The Mind’s Eye is The Viewer
Technically, the Mind’s Eye is the viewer of your thinking, imagining, and feeling; and it views the perceptual construction of external stimuli and sensory information into recognizable objects, events. The Roving Mind’s Eye works to make SENSE of things. Simply put…The Mind’s Eye is what sees one's imagination.
The Mind’s Eye is intangible and is like an “inner eye that sees.” The Mind’s Eye sees, whether your actual eyes are open or closed, what you think, imagine, dream, feel, and sense about your inner world and the outer world.
“Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge.”
~ Dyslexic Albert Einstein
"The Spot”
The Spot is a reader’s point of focus, 3-5 inches above the center of the top of their head. While reading, when their Mind’s Eye is positioned on The Spot, consistent perception and recognition of words by the Mind’s Eye become possible.
Metaphysically, when the reader “Goes to The Spot” they are checking to see if their Mind’s Eye is positioned on The Spot above their head. When all senses converge into this one point of focus, consistent perception of what is viewed is seen every time without distortion, alteration, or confusion.
Players are taught how to "Go to the Spot” with the Mind’s Eye in Sky Village – Trail of Spells. Correct and consistent positioning of the Mind’s Eye while reading is reinforced throughout our game. Managing the Mind’s Eye in this way progressively builds neural pathways for consistent recognition of words and symbols as the player plays the game with its embedded academic skill-training tools. Moreover, regular use of “Go to The Spot” has worked for thousands and has become a fun integral part of playing our games.
Perception
Why is Consistent Perception not Automatic for all Readers?
What is automatic is the tendency of the Mind’s Eye to wander in search of a viewpoint that makes sense to the viewer. These multiple sensory viewings of a word, letter, or symbol produce inconsistent perception and occur most often in the dyslexic thinker. This makes the viewer prone to a multitude of perceptions.
The dyslexic’s best-developed neural pathways for initiating thinking involve processing their sensory input from the world. When confused about what they see, the rapidly shifting viewpoints of the Mind’s Eye can provide many options for the dyslexic to unconsciously process. The Mind’s Eye is unlikely to land on the same perception of a word or object each time this happens.
Abstract Words and Symbols Interrupt Comprehension
The instantaneous production and processing of multiple viewpoints adds to the CONFUSION created by not recognizing the initial view of the word or object. And if a viewpoint provides a word recognized by the Mind’s Eye that is not the one intended by the author, then comprehension of the text is confused.
For example, the word ‘could be viewed and recognized as the word ‘saw’ when looking at it from right to left. Imagine how the word ‘saw’ could change the meaning of a sentence – e.g. “The man saw scared.” Or “The man was scared.”
From years of experience with parents and students, the team of Magical I Am has observed that when the Mind’s Eye is positioned on The Spot for the moment of reading a word, the Mind’s Eye always has the same, consistent perception of the word, and the word looks the way the author wrote it. Thus, one of the major sources of confusion that can impair learning to read is eliminated while playing Sky Village – Trail of Spells.
Confusion Interrupts Comprehension
Sight words and abstract symbols are the words that most often cause CONFUSION when they are met while reading. Ask your child to read out loud a section of a book that is below their reading level and make note of the words they misread or cannot read. You will find that most of them are abstract words and symbols.
The INTERRUPTION of reading abstract words that cannot be fluidly recognized causes confusion in the reader’s mind. The more interruptions the reader meets due to words that cannot be recognized, the more confusion builds, and this can translate into debilitating STRESS in the brain. As stress builds up in the brain, the brain function needed becomes impaired or lost. We have all experienced this disintegrated-brain state due to stress that makes us fumble, forget, misspeak, or perform poorly at something we know well. Being tested, speaking before an audience, or being stopped by a police officer are three prime events for creating enough stress that the brain operates poorly for many people, and they struggle to perform at that moment. Once the stress is relieved, brain integration can return and learning, reading, or performing can continue.