Imagine that you see the world not only with your two physical eyes, but also with an inner eye that looks much deeper. This inner eye—often called the third eye—is the organ through which you perceive your own thoughts, feelings, and inner world. Close your eyes for a moment. You’re still here. You notice that thoughts drift away, emotions rise, and images appear spontaneously. This is your inner eye at work and you observe it all.
However, in our Western culture we have forgotten how powerful this eye is. Under the influence of a materialistic science, we have come to believe that our inner world is a private island, completely separate from that of others. Everything outside of us is considered “dead” or merely physical: a stone has no consciousness, a tree has no inner life, and the other person is primarily a body with a different history.
This belief creates deep loneliness because it blocks our inner eye’s natural ability to perceive the inner world of others.
The price of closure
Many people feel the silent crisis unfolding in Western society. Despite our constant connection through social media and our busy schedules, we feel lonelier than ever. We have lost our natural connection with others, animals, nature, and even the universe itself.
When we were kids, it was different. Do you remember how you could instantly feel the mood of the teacher or the whole class? How did the collective atmosphere affect everyone at the same time? Children live in more relationships than adults.
As we grow older, we learn to ignore this connection. We close our inner eyes and begin to experience the world as a collection of separate objects. The result is not only loneliness, but also prejudice, racism, judgment and fear. Without inner vision, we only see the outside: different skin color, different gender, different culture. The thought immediately arises: “They are different, so they are a danger.”
Why is our inner eye closed?
The inner eye has been abused for centuries. Anyone who was able to perceive another person’s inner world could also influence it, for example by planting thoughts. Stories of manipulation, witchcraft and internal control left deep scars. Those who openly used this ability were shunned and eventually persecuted. Fear of abuse has led to the collective suppression of this natural ability.
Yet it is time to let go of this fear. In essence, the inner eye is a beautiful, connecting force. It shows us that consciousness pervades everything. That at the deepest level everything is one.
How do you unleash your inner eye?
Fortunately, you can wake him up again. It starts with three simple steps:
1. Accept that it exists
Realize that your inner world is not separate from that of others. You can sense another person’s feelings, intentions, and consciousness with your inner eye.
2. Give everything an inner world
Not only people, but also animals, plants and even apparently “dead” things like stones or stars have an inner life. If you look with both eyes – the outside and the inside – a complete picture emerges.
3. Dare to look
Be willing to actually do it. Close your physical eyes and use your imagination. Imagine what it’s like to be someone else. How is their morning? What thoughts are going through their heads? Why do they act the way they do? Let go of prejudices and approach the other person out of curiosity and love.
You’ll notice mental blocks popping up (“I’m just fantasizing”). This is normal. Be gentle with yourself and exercise regularly. Imagination is a wonderful gateway to the inner eye.
A look of love
If you open your inner eyes from the heart, everything changes. Judgment gives way to understanding. Distance turns into a relationship. Loneliness dissolves into the realization that you were never really alone.
Unleashing the inner eye is not some airy-fairy choice. It’s a revolutionary step toward a richer, more empathetic, and joyful life—a life in which you are genuinely connected to all that exists.
This is a step towards healing. Not only your own healing, but also the healing of humanity.
Dare to close your eyes. And then really look at it.
The world is waiting to be seen again – from the inside.
© Gerrit Gielen
Edited by Suzy Conway
