Insight into the Fading of Perception

Rob Burbea in "Seeing That Frees" explains that in diligent meditation practice, one may observe the fading or blurring of perception in relation to phenomena. This fading signifies a release from clinging and can be felt across all sense perceptions. A meditator might notice that pain or unpleasant sensations lessen in intensity and may eventually dissolve completely. This phenomenon is essential to reflect upon since it suggests that the perception and consolidation of phenomena into experiences require a degree of clinging.

The Role of Clinging in Perception

The chapter deepens the understanding that clinging is not only responsible for the fabrication of a sense of self and the substantiality of phenomena but also their perception. Phenomena appear substantial and distinct due to clinging. This is extrapolated through the example of emotions, as they intensify due to averse reactions and can be mitigated by reducing this aversion, illustrating the dependency of perception on clinging. Through meditation, one explores these dependencies more profoundly than would be possible otherwise, gaining insight into the subtleties of clinging, including the concept of inherent existence.

The Continuum of Perception and Cessation

The practices described in the text bring to light a continuum of perception, where phenomena appear more solid and intense at one end and less so as clinging fades. At the far end of this continuum is the cessation of perception, which the Buddha emphasized in his teachings. This cessation is not a mere byproduct of impermanence or a shift in attention—its occurrence is reliant on an absence of clinging. The experience of cessation challenges what we regard as the 'realness' of things, highlighting that not even the most subtle phenomena have independent existence.

Interpreting Dependent Arising and Fading

Understanding the interdependence of phenomena through meditation can shed new light on the Buddhist concept of paṭiccasamuppāda, or dependent origination, revealing that sensations and perceptions are conditioned by clinging in a non-linear manner. This insight is also compatible with the meditative experiences described within the teachings and can lead to a reevaluation of the perceived permanence of phenomena.

The Practicality and Insight of Fading Perception

Repeated meditation and witnessing the fading of phenomenon due to reduced clinging solidifies the insight that phenomena are empty of inherent existence and fundamentally dependent on clinging and ignorance (avijjā). This insight opens up new practical applications, allowing meditators to directly regard phenomena as empty or as mere perceptions, bare of inherent essence. This leads to greater freedom in meditation, as a continuum of fading brings an array of transformative experiences, offering the meditator the liberty to continue with the insight practice or rest in the opened-up state.

In conclusion, Chapter 19 of "Seeing That Frees" elaborates on the significance of the fading perception in meditation and its role in understanding the emptiness of phenomena. Clinging is presented as the fabricating force behind the appearance of phenomena and their solidity. Through meditation, one can experience the cessation of phenomena and gain insight into their dependent arising. This chapter underscores the importance of directly experiencing and understanding this fading to realize the inherent emptiness of all phenomena, thereby opening up a path toward liberation.