Contemplative Corner #189 When, during Advent, we ask for God to “show [God’s] face” (Ps 80), or proclaim vision clear enough to recognize that “Here is your God” (Is 40:9), we are clearly pointing to a way of seeing beyond usual, dualistic perception. Richard Rohr explains the eyes we need to “see” God, and their importance: Hugh of St. Victor (1078-1141) and Richard of St. Victor (1123-1173) wrote that humanity was given three different sets of eyes, each building on the previous one. The first eye was the eye of the flesh (thought or sight), the second was the eye of reason (meditation or reflection), and the third was the intuitive eye of true understanding (contemplation). I describe this third eye [contemplation] as knowing something simply by being calmly present to it (no processing needed!) . . . One wonders how far spiritual and political leaders can genuinely lead us without some degree of contemplative seeing and action. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that “us-and-them” seeing, and the dualistic thinking that results, is the foundation of almost all discontent and violence in the world . . . We need all three sets of eyes in both a healthy culture and a healthy religion. As we prepare for a “rebirth” of faith this Advent, let us pray for such clear vision!