# SEEING WITH THE EYES CLOSED

Normally, when looking with closed eyes, we see little stars, or vague shapes, clouds, or streaks of light and colour, or sometimes a kaleidoscope image. This is the result of our habitual focused vision.

When looking in a panoramic way with the eyes closed – i can see light, as though it shines in (and out) through the head and face, forehead, temples, and cheeks.

I started off wanting to find out what panoramic vision felt like when dozing. And there it was immediately, obvious light, white light.

I only have to close my eyes and look panoramically, and it happens.

This is a form of "inner light".

I don't want to argue the science. I believe it is in fact some sort of optical illusion.

But if so, then animals who have any visual acuity, would also have such optical illusions.

I just have to go panoramic, and it's there, often at first just at the sides of my head... and then with time, the sensation spreads through my whole head, and sometimes through my body.

I have no rational argument for this, and it will seem totally unrealistic. I can only suggest you to try it yourself. I believe that once anyone can see in a panoramic way with their eyes open, they will automatically discover this inner-light with the eyes closed.

I sometimes imagine eyes looking out about an half an inch above my ears. Sometimes, a pair of big eyes inside my body, looking-out. But the light itself is a sensation, rather than a visualisation. A feeling of light all over and through the body, and the body being almost transparent.

Now, so far, i have only had the opportunity to ask focal humans. And it seems if you only know how to focus, then it doesn't happen, you can't see this light with closed focused eyes.

It would be difficult to check this with innocent children's experience. But it maybe possible by asking them to draw what they see with closed eyes.

## Second Eye-Lid – Eyes in The Back of Your Head

Many animals have a second eye-lid, which when dozing allows them to detect changes in light and shade.

With our human eyes, closed, in darkness – when a light goes on behind us, we notice it.

When dozing, many animals can distinguish to some extent, between light or shadows changing or moving behind them; and in effect, they have eyes in the back of their head.

Human babies in the womb can distinguish light (and sound) through the mother's body – they turn to look at it. So, the embryo's eyes are able to look through thin sheets of matter. I don't know if adult eyes are able to look through thin layers of skin.

But, stretch your empathy and imagine how it might be for a duck or a horse to see light all around them when dozing.

## The Science

To briefly touch on the science. Atoms are mostly empty space, and cells are sensitive to light.

So, i could argue that as every plant senses light – and our human skin, especially since it became hairless, is more sensitive than the stem of a daffodil – our skin must be able to feel light.

But the science is irrelevant, i get this sensation of seeing light in and all around my body, even when i'm lying in the dark underneath the blankets.

The Bottom Line
So the bottom line is, animals who dream must have some sort of an imagination, and at times "suffer" from optical illusions.

And because it's so easy and natural and feels good and healthy, i can easily believe that animals would have discovered this optical illusion as a enjoyable part of being alive, and use it for healing and in other ways i can only guess at.

Please continue with Listening and Seeing Inside

A related experimental idea is

## Looking with two eyes

A letter from Michael Heinbockel :
"I found a way to fall asleep very quick. I don't know why, but it almost always works... I close my eyes and focus on the back of my lids. That totally stops me from thinking and having pictures in front of my inner eye. For more see Looking with two eyes.

Please continue with Listening and Seeing Inside

Back to Chapter Seven : Creative Dozing
Back to THE PANORAMA SENSES Priority Pages