Does the pot really see me? (and vice versa)

In The Dreamer and the Yogin: On the relationship between Buddhist and Saiva Idealisms, Ratie synthesizes the debate between the externalist and idealist perception of objects by the conscious. Externalist doctrine states that perceived objects exists outside of the consciousness that precedes them (438), while the idealist doctrine states that the objects that are perceived are actually objects of the self. Later, Ratie also discusses the contradictory nature of the object in terms of whether to attribute wholeness to it, if parts of an object constitute its whole, and if so, how does sight and recognition of the object follow. Perhaps the way in which we perceive objects is more of a reflection, suggesting an externalist doctrine. In terms of the pot sees me, and I see it-- how do these two doctrines relate? If objects and cognition are in fact both projections of the self, do you still see the pot as a “pot”? In terms of non-dualist thought and Yogacara, is the mere act of recognizing that the pot can see, a step towards being released from the constructed and dependent nature, towards the perfected? Is there really sight involved if both you and the pot are projections of the self (idealist)? Does your ability to see the pot come from it’s external potness? How can awareness rise in a specific moment if the object is not distinct from consciousness?