Control Part 7
October 5, 2025
Control Part 7
It is typical for young children to cover their eyes and say, “You can’t see me now.” The child thinks that by closing their eyes, they are invisible. This antic amuses us, because in the “real” world, no one can control others’ vision by covering their eyes. Child developmental psychologists call this behavior “egocentric” because, in this stage of development the child assumes they are center of the universe, and that everyone sees what they see.
However, there is another way to look at this phenomenon. The child who believes everyone sees what they see comes from the perspective that we are all ONE, which is a non-dual or soul-centric perspective. She does not yet operate by the ego framework of seeing people as separate entities. She lives in a world of profound union, not division. Therefore, she thinks you know what she sees, that we are one, that everything is everybody’s, and everyone experiences what she experiences. Young children have not yet shifted to the egoic belief that we are separate.
In an early Stanford University Study, children at a certain age and level of cognitive development said they could not be seen if they shut their eyes. As we know, this is the normal way young children at that stage see the world. But interestingly, some of those children said you could in fact see them when their eyes closed. In questioning this smaller group, it was found that they didn't think their bodies were seen when they shut their eyes, but that something else about them was seen: though the children had no word for that “something,” the persons conducting the study realized that these children felt seen even when they thought they were invisible, physically. This led researchers to speculate that many young children are so connected to spirit that they know when their bodies are not seen, their souls are.
The researchers included the following unusual notation in their results: “… writers from Cicero on, have spoken metaphorically of the eyes as ‘the windows of the soul,’ or the equivalent. Implausible as it may appear, perhaps young children entertain some literal version of this idea.” (Flavel and colleagues)
If the species and planet are to be saved, enough of us must return to the young child's perception of spiritual reality. The child perceives that we are all connected to something fundamental and essential. Despite our differences in appearance, beliefs, and cultures, we all share “being.” We control whether our eyes are open or not, and if we are conscious or unconscious. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we were able to see one another’s souls?
Only when enough of us remember to see with the eyes of essence will it be possible for our species and planet to survive.
Spiritual practice: Look into the eyes of everyone you see today. Go beyond the color of the eyes, into the pupils, and in a non-threatening way, connect to the soul on the other side of those eyes. What comes through to you? Note your feelings and impressions of each experience. Do you perceive something more than the person's looks or psychological selves? Complete the practice by journaling your observations.
Self-inquiry: What are some of your reasons for wanting to be seen on the level of your soul?
Prayer: Dear God,
“Take me down to the spring of my life” and heal me to see from the eyes of my essence. Amen
