Conscious Seeing

I grew up hearing the phrase "The eyes are the windows to the soul." When my granddaughter was nine months old, this phrase came alive again for me. When would meet someone she hadn't seen in a while or someone totally new to her, she would look deeply into their eyes for a very long time. She didn't blink. There was no challenge, no fear or confrontation. She was just looking. They asked us what she was doing, why does she just keep looking into my eyes. Her parents' response was, "She just does that." I responded differently, "She is learning you; reading your soul." She was my little Soul Reader.

I have a new friend in my life, one of those instant connections with a familiarity and ease that seems paradoxical to the circumstances. We had a conversation last night about cities we had either visited or lived in. It was exciting and fun to share memories of experiences not shared, places not visited together. It was so fun! My friend looks into my eyes when we talk; as I do his. Not too many people are this present with the person they are talking with in that moment.

I like it. I like seeing and being seen without challenge or judgement. I like just being seen and having my existence, my presence in the moment lovingly acknowledged through the eyes of another.

The key to conscious seeing is, of course, mindfulness. When I am present with the person in front of me, I can feel my eyes soften as I look into theirs. As they accept my soft, open gaze, they knowI see and hear them. They know, even if it is mildly uncomfortable at first, that I care about their well-being. I care for their hearts and their souls. They begin to consider the possibility of connectedness, oneness, love.

Consider the practice of conscious seeing or eye gazing. Begin with yourself by looking into your own eyes in a mirror. Look softly, blink, look again. Who do you see in your eyes? Do you love that person, that being within? Say it out loud. Then consider looking softly into the eyes of another when they are talking to you. Be sure to blink as it removes the effect of staring or challenging that person. Be willing to see them as you let go of the need to plan your response or be anxious to be heard yourself. Let this be their moment. I promise your turn will come.

Consider the practice of conscious seeing.

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