Can the mind observe without the symbol?

Words have condemnatory or appreciative meanings. As long as my mind is caught in words, either I condemn or accept. And is it possible for the mind not to accept or deny, but observe without the word and the symbol interfering with it?

This makes me think of accounts in the Carlos Castenedas series - based on those accounts I came to believe we can't observe without symbols, words or some kind of perspective understanding - or well we could, but the distortions and mis interpretations would make it similar to the first  impressions of a new born or similar to an acid trip. I've not accomplished it so I don't know...