What Is Soul Gazing and How Can You Do It?

Soul gazing is a powerful and intimate connection between two people through prolonged eye contact. This practice involves looking deeply into each other’s eyes to establish a profound bond. In soul gazing, you engage in a nonverbal conversation with your partner, allowing you to connect on a deeper level.

To soul gaze with a stranger, find a quiet and comfortable space, sit facing each other, and maintain eye contact without distractions. Take deep breaths and let go of any tension. As you gaze into each other’s eyes, you may experience emotional and spiritual connections.

Soul gazing offers numerous benefits, such as boosting trust, enhancing empathy, strengthening relationships, improving communication, and creating a sense of oneness. It’s a simple yet profound way to connect with others on a deeper level.

What is soul gazing?

Soul gazing is a practice of establishing a profound and intimate connection with another person through extended eye contact. It goes beyond mere visual engagement; it involves looking deeply into someone’s eyes to connect on a spiritual and emotional level. 

During soul gazing, individuals aim to communicate and understand each other’s innermost thoughts, feelings, and energies without the need for words. 

The practice often requires a calm and focused environment where both participants sit facing each other, maintain unbroken eye contact, and breathe deeply. It is believed to promote trust, empathy, and a sense of unity, making it a meaningful and transformative experience for those involved.

Why is soul gazing important?

Soul gazing is crucial as it allows individuals to forge deep connections on a profound level through the simple yet potent act of staring deeply into someone’s eyes. This soul-gazing exercise transcends surface interactions, enabling people to establish soul connections through their eyes. 

Whether practiced with a familiar partner or a stranger, it encourages empathy and trust. The strong gaze shared during this practice cultivates mutual understanding, promoting emotional intimacy and enhancing communication. 

Soul gazing enables individuals to access unspoken emotions and thoughts, bridging gaps in understanding and forming lasting bonds, making it an essential tool for building meaningful and authentic relationships.

6 steps to soul gazing

Soul gazing is a practice that can lead to a deep soul connection through the eyes, whether you’re doing it with a partner or a stranger. Here are the steps to engage in this soul-gazing exercise:

1. Prepare a quiet space

Find a comfortable and distraction-free environment where both you and your partner or the stranger can sit facing each other.

2. Maintain comfortable posture

Sit in a relaxed but upright position, ensuring you both feel at ease. You may want to hold hands to create a physical connection.

3. Deep breathing

Begin by gently making eye contact. It’s important not to force the gaze but to let it happen naturally. Take a few deep breaths to calm your mind and center yourself. Deep, synchronized breathing can enhance the soul-gazing experience.

4. Start the gaze

Gradually intensify your gaze, staring deeply into each other’s eyes. Allow it to be a strong gaze and an unwavering one, as if you’re looking beyond the physical and into the soul.

5. Silent communication

As you continue to maintain eye contact, you might wonder, “Can you see someone’s soul through their eyes?”. This silent communication is a sign that you’re forming a soul connection through your eyes.

6. Closure

Try to stay in the moment and avoid breaking eye contact or allowing distractions to disrupt the strong gaze. After a few minutes, slowly release the gaze. Take a moment to reflect on the experience and share any feelings or insights that arose during the soul-gazing session.

5 amazing benefits of soul gazing

Soul gazing, the act of staring deeply into someone’s eyes, offers a variety of profound benefits when practiced as a soul-gazing exercise, whether with a partner or a stranger. Here are five key advantages:

1. Enhanced emotional connection

Soul gazing facilitates a deeper soul connection through the eyes. When you engage in a strong gaze with another person, you create an opportunity to access and understand each other’s emotions on a profound level. 

This intense eye contact can lead to increased empathy, allowing you to truly see and feel what the other person is experiencing emotionally.

2. Improved communication

Nonverbal communication often speaks louder than words. Soul gazing encourages a form of silent communication that transcends language barriers. 

By staring deeply into someone’s eyes, you can convey emotions, intentions, and thoughts that may be difficult to express verbally. This can lead to improved understanding and more meaningful conversations.

3. Strengthened trust

Maintaining eye contact during soul gazing requires vulnerability and trust. When you engage in this practice with someone, whether it’s a loved one or a stranger, and allow them to see into your soul, it can lead to a strengthening of trust and intimacy. It’s a powerful way to build or reinforce trust in relationships.

Watch this video where Apollonia Ponti, a dating & relationship coach, explains the importance of eye contact to build trust and attraction:

4. Heightened self-awareness

Soul gazing isn’t just about connecting with others; it also offers self-reflection and self-discovery opportunities. As you stare deeply into someone’s eyes, you may become more aware of your own emotions, reactions, and vulnerabilities. This self-awareness can lead to personal growth and a better understanding of your own inner world.

5. Cultivation of presence and mindfulness

Engaging in soul gazing requires you to be fully present in the moment. As you focus your attention on the other person’s eyes, you naturally become more mindful and aware of the here and now. 

This mindfulness can have a calming and centering effect, reducing stress and anxiety while promoting a sense of peace and connection.

FAQs

Explore common questions about soul gazing: its duration, dealing with discomfort, practicing with non-romantic partners, and essential tips for a meaningful and transformative eye-to-eye connection:

• How long should I soul gaze with my partner?

The ideal duration for soul gazing with your partner can vary depending on your comfort level and the depth of connection you wish to achieve. It’s common to start with a few minutes and gradually extend the time as you become more comfortable. 

Some people find profound experiences in just a few minutes, while others may soul gaze for 10-20 minutes or longer. The key is to listen to your intuition and communicate with your partner about your preferences.

• What if I feel uncomfortable soul-gazing?

Feeling uncomfortable during soul gazing is normal, especially if it’s your first time. It can be an intense experience, and vulnerability may arise. If discomfort becomes overwhelming, it’s essential to communicate with your partner. You can agree to take breaks, blink, or briefly look away if needed. 

It’s crucial to prioritize your emotional well-being and ensure that both you and your partner feel safe and respected during the practice.

• Can I soul gaze with someone I’m not romantically involved with?

Absolutely! Soul gazing isn’t limited to romantic partners; you can practice it with friends, family members, or even strangers. 

In fact, soul-gazing with someone you’re not romantically involved with can lead to meaningful connections and a deeper understanding of one another. It’s a versatile practice that can enhance various types of relationships and breed empathy and trust.

• What are some tips for soul gazing?

Creating the right environment is crucial for a successful soul-gazing session. Find a quiet, comfortable space where both you and your partner can sit without distractions. 

To start, opt for shorter sessions, gradually increasing the duration as you become more at ease with the practice. Deep, synchronized breathing is key to staying calm and centered during the experience.

Maintaining unwavering eye contact is essential; let the gaze deepen naturally as the connection strengthens. Try to practice empathy by attempting to sense and understand your partner’s emotions through their eyes. 

Finally, open communication after the session is essential. Sharing your thoughts and feelings helps strengthen your connection, gain insights, and cultivate a deeper understanding of each other.

In a nutshell

Soul gazing is a powerful practice that involves maintaining prolonged eye contact to establish deep connections and understand each other on a profound level. The duration of soul gazing can vary, and it’s important to prioritize comfort and communication. 

You can practice soul gazing with anyone, not just romantic partners, to cultivate meaningful connections. Remember to choose a suitable setting, start slowly, and focus on your breath and empathy. Effective communication after the session can enhance the experience and strengthen your bond.