Patanjali Yoga Sutra: II - 17

The confusion of what sees with the seen

Drashtadrishyayoho Samyogaha Heya Hetuhu
There is one main cause for suffering which can be avoided. That is the union of the one who sees, with what is seen, heard, tasted, touched, smelt or thought about. You watch a movie. There is an emotional scene. You are so engrossed in the scene that you identify yourself with one of the characters almost like you, and begin to cry. The sorrow happens because of the total identification of the seer - the witnessing consciousness to what is seen/ What is seen is constantly changing and moving. There is joy, sorrow, hatred, anger and all sorts of emotional and physical disturbances out there. When the witness identifies itself with, or holds on to any one of these changes - then there is sorrow. - Swahilya Shambhavi.