Let me begin with the words themselves. “The Eye of Blessing.”
When I first came upon this concept, it was about the relationship between royalty and their people (subjects). The scene, so to speak, has a high Royal, presenting him or herself before a large array of their People. And the Royal (or Royal couple) looks out upon the People gathered. Even before words are addressed, the Royal Eye gazes out upon his or her Subjects, hence the term “The Eye of Blessing.”
And the People know that they are seen – know that they are valued, (cared for).
There are other words than Blessing – they are loved, honored, welcomed, affirmed, elevated. In the Christian worship tradition, after the Confession (of sins), there are always words of forgiveness, inclusion, cleansing, absolution, grace, deliverance.
It’s as if there’s a real change of being. It’s right there! Immediate. A ritual transformation. It can come in the “blink of an eye.” Or it may emerge slowly, over time, or over a lifetime. Either way, it’s a Blessing.
This has long been in our history, the ideal imago of a good (beneficent) and mature government. A primary purpose of such government is to care for and support those whose circumstances are not sufficient for their own needs. Our recent history openly demonstrates it’s opposite, a curse-oriented government’s desire to just get rid of these people. Disappeared people lower government budgets. [Daddy, why is ‘welfare’ a dirty word?]
Another factor is how money is used. Who and what do government budgets serve? I believe it was Adam Smith, the inventor of capitalism over two hundred years ago, who said something like, “Capitalism is our best system for managing wealth. It will take two hundred years for human greed to destroy it.” [This is a loose translation from a friend who has been a student of its history.]
In the Jewish/Christian account of the original Creation, the Almighty labored six days, and after each “day” looked upon (his) work and declared it good. What a wonderful cosmology and ethical heritage for each of us. This Original Blessing – and its ethical implications, can direct us that between the beginning and the end of our own existence here, it is our own work to order ourselves from within that which our Maker blessed.
Blessing’s Opposite – the Curse.
Now I know what most readers are now ready to ask – What about Evil?
Traditionally, the opposite of the Eye of Blessing, has been called The Evil Eye. This is the Eye which demands/takes “from you for me.”
The archetype here is the Vampire. For me to live, I must drain you of your vital essence. Or, in simpler terms, “for me to live, you must die.” This desired and necessary other is often the sycophant – the ordinary English term for fawning flattery.
And it’s no surprise to me that the psychological concept of the narcissist has in recent years become more useful and appropriate.
A Royal Example
My mother was English born, so I’ve always had a backseat interest in British Royalty. These days, we can pay close attention to the current heir to the English throne, Prince William, and his princess wife Kate Middleton. Wherever they seem to show up (and it’s the apparent need/duty of royals to regularly ‘show up’). It seems obvious that the people enjoy their presence, and these Royals enjoy being with their people. We can see they have the “eye of Blessing.” And it’s necessary to their existence, that the people can feel that blessing.
Contrary to this are the royal antagonists Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. They seek a ‘reverse blessing’ (you bless us) and are not doing a good job at getting one – which is fine with me.
Elderly Couples
Sometimes when I happen upon an elderly couple, I’ll actively imagine them looking at each other with that long-practiced mutual ‘eye of blessing’. It’s not that I see that, but I want to see that they see that. [And maybe by some divine creative grace, what I see can be made true by my vision. I will often briefly pray on the spot for that.]
And sometimes when I see workmen and women, such as from our Fenton DPW (Department of Public Works) working outside – maybe filling potholes on my street, I’ll imagine that, despite how I may see them, there’s a partner or family member back home that sees them with lovers’ eyes and awaits their return at the end of the day. It may be just a pipe dream on my part, but it can completely change the person I see shoveling hot asphalt. (Maybe it’s just the old marriage counselor in me.)
Then I’ll take it a step further, with a grace-filled awareness to consider this is the way God chooses to see each of us— through an unrelenting lover’s eyes. The original “Eye of Blessing.”
And the circle is complete.
I also think this is a simpler way of seeing the world around us, and thinking more clearly about our best ways to live within it.
Pay Attention