David Brooks: Perception Is an Act of Creation
What does it mean to truly see another person—not just their surface, but their soul, their yearning, their infinite dignity?
This week, Tami speaks with David Brooks—acclaimed New York Times columnist, author, and PBS NewsHour commentator—about his remarkable journey from emotional guardedness to what he calls “heart vision.” In this profound interview on Insights at the Edge, David shares the mystical experiences that transformed his understanding of human connection, including a pivotal moment in a New York subway when he suddenly perceived everyone around him as souls in motion.
Join Tami and David to explore:
- David’s emotional awakening and the journey from cerebral detachment to human vulnerability
- The distinction between diminishers and illuminators—and how we see others
- Why attention is the ultimate form of generosity and morality
- The difference between heart intelligence and mental intelligence
- How perception itself is an act of creation, not passive observation
- Practical skills for seeing others deeply: the on/off switch of attention, being a loud listener, and avoiding the topper trap
- Why he identifies as a religious rather than a spiritual person
- The moral order of the universe and how our yearnings reflect something woven into reality itself
- How rupture and repair shape us—and why staying in pain can be necessary for growth
David’s wisdom reminds us that in a world increasingly dominated by data and algorithms, the art of truly seeing another human being remains our most sacred—and most practical—capacity.
Listen now to discover how cultivating the illuminator’s gaze can transform every relationship in your life.
This conversation offers genuine transmission—not just concepts about awakening, but the palpable presence of realized teachers exploring the growing edge of spiritual understanding together. Originally aired on Sounds True One.
