"I shut my eyes in order to see"

In this quote, Paul Gauguin is revealing the concept that in some cases, in order to genuinely see and understand something, we must close our physical eyes. This might appear counterintuitive, as we frequently rely on our eyes to perceive the world around us. Nevertheless, Gauguin recommends that by shutting off our external vision, we can use our inner vision and acquire a deeper understanding of the world. This could indicate using our imagination, instinct, or inner knowledge to see beyond what is instantly noticeable. It also suggests that in some cases, our physical senses can be an interruption and prevent our ability to truly see and understand the essence of things. By shutting our eyes, we can open our minds and see things in a brand-new light.