Conversations For Transformation:
Essays Inspired By The Ideas Of Werner Erhard
Conversations For Transformation
Essays By Laurence Platt
Inspired By The Ideas Of Werner Erhard
And More
Innocent Eyes
Marin County, California, USA
March 9, 2007
I've been looking at life through innocent eyes.
When I'm looking at life this way, the first thing I notice isn't
innocence. When I'm looking at life through innocent eyes, the first
thing I notice is how over the years I've learned so much
which corrupts innocent eyes.
When I was in high school I was told to grow up. So I did -
whatever I made "grow up" mean. To "grow up" certainly
sounded important. Maybe it's a good thing, I thought.
There were numerous instances I remember when I was told I was
naïve. So I quickly determined I shouldn't be. And I, like
most guys, am only too well acquainted with the real
innocence killer: being told "big boys don't cry". With that
one, out the door went all of what was left of my vulnerability and my
sensitivity.
Today I went for a walk with my friend
Dorothy
who is nearly a hundred years old. She's taken up walking: every other
day, a mile each time, using a walker I gave her as a gift a few years
ago.
At one point during the walk, looking up at the sky she said to me
"When the hawks start to fly spring isn't far away". The sheer
innocence of her remark just got me. I just don't
know how to converse like that. I notice I'm always trying to
come up with significant things to say.
On another occasion she put her walker aside and leaned over to pick
some pink vegetation which she then discussed in great, loving detail.
She saw it through the eyes of a gardener who loves flowers. I didn't
want to admit to her I dismissed it as a weed when I first saw it.
Later we walked past two teenagers necking in the park. As we
approached them
Dorothy
started to sing to them: "Love is lovelier, the second
time around ...". I don't know if they got it or not. It was a totally
magic moment.
I'm clear, whether I like it or not, I'm conditioned and corrupted away
from innocent eyes. I've got built in defenses which actively and
ongoingly shut off looking at life through innocent eyes. I notice how
miraculous life is when I recreate innocent eyes, how special it is to
be with someone who looks at life through innocent eyes. I'm really
inspired by the possibility of being that way.
In the evening when I got back to my place I sat at my desk and did
some writing. Then I looked out the window and watched the sunset until
it was dark. It was fulfilling and enriching - just life itself by
itself.