HOW TO USE YOUR EYES
by James Elkin

I am a strong believer in the power of observation. Learning to see, really see, is not as easy as we would like to believe. Observation simply meant to notice, perceive or watch attentively, as Webster's Dictionary suggests. Observation is more than looking, it is learning from looking.

Why is it so important to be observant? I have come to realise that it is the vital key to optimum performance in science, in business, in sports & in other life pursuits, e.g. reading & writing, photography, etc. In reality, it's a critical survival skill!

Thousand years ago, Leonardo da vinci had proven its significance in his varied field of expertise. He said, in order to attain a complete mind, one must learn how to use all our senses, especially learn how to see.

Edward de bono, recognised as the world's authority on creativity, talked about it - perceptual sensitivity - first in his seminal work, Mechanism of Mind, in the late 60's & then in his many subsequent books on lateral thinking.

Many consultants/authors have since then pursued & reinforced the same line of thought.

Interestingly, to share with readers, I noted that the common denominator in the following important business words:

vision, visionary, imagination, illumination, enlightenment, foresight, farsighted, perspective, viewpoint, spectacle, inspection;

has a visual component: 'seeing'. Come to think about it, the word 'seer' even has 'see' in it!

I have also learned that the word 'idea' has its origins from a Greek word, which means 'to see'. Even the word 'intuition' originates from a Latin word 'intueri' which also means 'to see'.

So, how does one develop & enhance the power of observation?

I have found one very good book on the subject. It's 'How to Use Your Eyes' by James Elkin, who shares many techniques & tips. His book is both visually stunning & mentally stimulating. It is more of a field guide as the reader needs to physically exercise the 'world experience' by himself rather than just sit back & enjoy the 'word experience'!

In terms of my own 'world experience', my favorite chapters in the book have been:

How to look at:

- a postage stamp;
- pavement;
- engineering drawing (should have known this when I was an engineer);
- mandalas (may be too esoteric for some readers!);
- perspective pictures;
- a map;
- a face;
- a fingerprint - with the aid of a magnifying glass, of course);
- grass;
- a twig;
- sand;
- sunset;
- inside of your eye;
- colours;
- nothing (this one almost drove me bonkers!);

Frankly, I did not realise that there are so many things to see from "universally unnoticed" objects around me.

To share with readers, I would like to suggest another very good book, i.e. 'Playful Perceptions: Choosing How to Exerience Your World' by Herbert Leff.

'Everyday Wonders: Encountering with the Astonishing World Around Us' by Barry Evans is worth exploring, too.