SAID

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I realized I wasn't done with sight or pain. When we first see, the light  passes through the cornea, which bends it, and through the pupil, which is regulated by the iris., which decides how much light gets in,  Next the lens  change shape (accommodation) to focus light correctly onto the retina Then conversion takes place, where photoreceptor cells in the retina (rods which see black and white and cones which see color) convert light into electrical signals . Then the information is transmitted via the optic nerve to the brain, the brain then flips and interprets the image, 

Lets look at this spiritually. Jesus is the light. Our hearts and minds control how much the light gets in to nourish our spirits. When our hearts have been circumcised we perceive more of the truth about God and ourselves. Rods which are black and white speak to me of right and wrong; whereas, color has shades and layers. The image comes to us upside down the brain has to orient it and then interpret it and our brains hate voids. It fills in what we can't see but that should be there and it uses are life filters to perceive. Think of visual illusions
like the rabbit vs the duck

 
In my background to be seen was to feel pain: verbal, physical or sexual abuse . To be invisible was to be safe,but as an adult my choosing to be blind makes it difficult and sometimes impossible to see the trth about myself and about God. Now I'm wondering if pain is the key.

I recently had glaucoma surgery on both eyes. I can see to drive, but reading is a chore that requires effort and magnification. While I can drive I find bright light irritate and fatigue my eyes, but without this discomfort I would not be seeing at all. I keep thinking about the SAID principle, which is
 a fundamental concept in exercise science that stands for Specific Adaptation to Imposed Demand. It asserts that the human body adapts specifically to the types of stress or demands placed upon it. I would argue that the same is true spiritually.
Features of SAID include
  • Specificity: To improve a particular skill or physical attribute, you must practice that exact skill or target that specific attribute. For example, running long distances improves cardiovascular endurance but does little for upper-body strength.
  • Biological Adaptation: When the body encounters a stressor (like lifting weights or sprinting), it undergoes physiological and neurological changes to become more efficient at handling that stressor in the future.
  • Progression: For continued adaptation, the "imposed demands" must gradually increase in intensity, volume, or complexity over time.
What does this mean spiritually? It means we nee to embrace the pain. Vygotsky called this the ZPD or Zone of Proximal Development. It meant you have to stretch to where you are slightly uncomfortable to see growth. I need to practice seeing the truth over and over again to spiritually see better. It means the more I look at the light the clearer I will see spiritual truths but it also means that until my eyes adjust and my head and heart know how to interpret those images correctly there will be discomfort
 
One thing I know about blindness when you can't see all you do is run in to stuff.  
 
Open the eyes of my heart. By Paul Baloche
 
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart, 
I want to see You
I want to see You
 
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart, 
I want to see You
I want to see You
 
To see You high and lifted up,
shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
as we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy”
 
To see You high and lifted up,
shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
as we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy”
 
I want to see You
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
 
I want to see You
Holy, Holy, Holy (we cry)
Holy, Holy, Holy (You are)
Holy, Holy, Holy
I want to see You
 
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart, 
I want to see You 
I want to see You
 
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart, 
I want to see You
I want to see You
 
To see You high and lifted up,
shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
as we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy”
 
To see You high and lifted up,
shining in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
as we sing “Holy, Holy, Holy”
 
I want to see You
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
 
I want to see You
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy
I want to see You
I want to see You











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