The Patron as the Ego: The ego is typically understood as
the individual's sense of self or identity. In this analogy, the patron could
represent the ego because it is the driving force behind the experience, much
like a patron might commission or support a performance.
Various Sense-Objects as the Audience: Sense-objects refer
to anything that can be perceived by the senses, such as sights, sounds,
tastes, smells, and tactile sensations. In this analogy, they are likened to an
audience observing the performance.
The Intellect as the Dancer: The intellect is the faculty of
reasoning and understanding. It is compared to a dancer in this analogy,
suggesting that it is the active agent or performer within the experience,
guiding and directing the action.
Musicians Playing on Their Instruments as the Sense-Organs:
Sense-organs are the physical organs through which we perceive the world, such
as the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. They are compared to musicians
playing instruments, indicating that they produce the sensory experiences that
the intellect (dancer) interprets.
The Light Illumining Them All as Witness-Consciousness:
Witness-consciousness refers to the underlying awareness or consciousness that
observes all experiences without being directly involved in them. It is likened
to a light that illuminates the entire scene, suggesting that it is the
fundamental awareness that enables all experiences to be perceived.
Overall, this analogy presents a way of understanding human
experience by comparing it to a performance, with various elements representing
different aspects of consciousness and perception. It illustrates how the ego,
intellect, senses, and underlying consciousness interact to create the rich
tapestry of human experience.