The Ancient Art of the Black Mirror and the Science of Inner Vision

For centuries, the black mirror has been revered as both a mystical portal and a tool for deep contemplation. From the obsidian discs of the Aztec priests to the enigmatic mirror of John Dee (1527–1609), advisor to Queen Elizabeth I (1533–1603), these dark reflective surfaces have invited visions and insights that seem to emerge from beyond the ordinary senses. Yet, modern science reveals that what we see within the black mirror arises not from an external realm, but from the inner architecture of the mind. By gazing into its dark depth, we uncover the hidden dance of phosphenes and perception itself. The method of black mirror gazing is even introduced in psychology. Here we study the essence of the black mirror in relation to meditation and the yoga of the Inner Light.