The Masonic Eye of Awakening

Very Ills.^..^.. Bro.^.. Pamela McDown 33°

Date Published: 1/15/2025                        

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How can the Eye of Vision be awakened in the spiritual man?

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I’ve always loved the opening scene of the movie "Contact." The universe morphs into the eye of the main character Ellie. It is a powerful visual metaphor representing the vastness of the cosmos and our place within it, signifying that from a cosmic perspective, we are incredibly small and precious, much like a single point of focus within an immense expanse. This scene took my breath away for a brief moment. 

As long as there has been religion, the eyes have held symbolic importance. The Eye of Providence, also known as the All-Seeing Eye, is a universal symbol with deep spiritual, philosophical, and cultural significance. At its core, it represents divine omniscience, the idea that a higher power observes all actions, thoughts, and intentions. Found in many traditions and contexts, the symbol is often depicted as a single eye within a triangle or surrounded by rays of light, emphasizing its connection to enlightenment, truth, and higher understanding. In Freemasonry, it is a beautiful representation of the watchful care of the Great Architect who is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. Most importantly, behind all the ideas of eyes lies the concept of seeing, of a Seeing One, looking on at the created Whole.

The All-Seeing eye has unfortunately lost some of its original spiritual potency nowadays. It has become quite a compromised symbol – either bringing to mind a sinister Illuminati elite reigning from the shadows, or other baseless conspiracy theories.  I hope to restore some of its pure esoteric importance in this short article.  

What does it mean to truly "see"? Is seeing merely a physical process, or does it involve perception, understanding, and interpretation? On the masonic path, who is the “Seeing One?”

Three Levels of Seeing

Brother Alice Bailey, a prominent esoteric thinker and Freemason, explored the deeper spiritual meanings of the eye as a symbol, identifying three distinct levels of sight: the Eye of Providence (or Shiva), the Eye of Vision (the soul), and the two physical eyes (the Eye that Knows). Each level represents a progressively deeper engagement with reality, moving from material perception to divine understanding. These stages could be illustrated as different rungs of Jacobs ladder where we see a wider perspective the higher we climb. 

The Eye of Providence, often associated with Shiva in Eastern traditions, represents the highest form of spiritual sight. It is the all-seeing, omnipotent eye that perceives the totality of existence—past, present, and future—beyond time and space. This eye symbolizes divine will, purpose, and the universal intelligence that governs creation. It is a reminder of humanity's connection to the greater cosmic order, encouraging the individual to align their life with this higher vision of unity and purpose. 

The Eye of Vision, or the soul’s eye, bridges the material and the divine. It is the eye of intuition and inner wisdom, enabling the seeker to discern spiritual truths and higher ideals. This is the level where spiritual insight grows, allowing the individual to see beyond surface appearances and recognize the essence of things. The Eye of Vision awakens the ability to perceive the interconnectedness of all life, encouraging the development of compassion, understanding, and the pursuit of enlightenment.

Finally, the Two Physical Eyes are the eyes that see and interpret the external world. Brother Bailey calls them the Eye that Knows. While these eyes are vital for navigating the material plane, their perception is limited to physical forms and phenomena. Brother Bailey suggests that reliance solely on these eyes can confine the individual to a narrow view of reality, emphasizing separation and duality. However, when guided by the Eye of Vision the physical eyes can serve as instruments of greater understanding, helping to manifest spiritual truths in the physical world.

In addition, there is further significance to the meaning of the right and left eye found in the writings of the Secret Doctrine. We read that the right eye is the eye of buddhi and the left eye the eye of manas and these are the eyes of the high-grade integrated personality, in rapport with the soul. Theosophical writings also suggest that the third eye of the mythical cyclops of a previous root race will reemerge as an organ of higher vision capable of supersensory powers. But first the intellect of humanity has to unfold until such a time as it is no longer the dominant guiding power and the inner vision or intuition from the higher planes of buddhi is reawakened. The intellect must be experienced before it can be transcended. The right and left eyes are interpreted in terms of duality, drawing connections to the ancient Egyptian mythology of the left eye of Horus and right eye of Ra which were symbols of the moon and sun. 

How to Awaken the Eye of Vision

Most masonic scholars agree that the All-Seeing Eye teaches us that a divine force observes and guides the building of the inner temple within, aligning our works to divine law. However, to the initiate, it is also a symbol of inner illumination and higher wisdom achieved through intense spiritual work. 

What does that spiritual work entail? How can the eye of vision be awakened in the Freemason?  

While walking the masonic path, the Freemason begins to recognize that the nature of his or her vision is slowly changing as the lessons of each degree are learned. It is the soul’s vision that gradually gives the capacity to sense the deeper truths expressed through personal life, as well as outer events. Every form that is encountered, whether a person, a society, or a historical moment, carries within it a spark of divinity. The Eye of Vision enables a person to discern the degree to which sacred energies are expressed — be it aligned with spiritual truth or distorted by human imperfection.

Thus, the All-Seeing Eye calls all of us to cultivate the profound ability to truly see—not merely to perceive the surface but to recognize the essence of what lies beyond appearances whether it be an election or a war or social injustice. To "see" in this way requires a blending of discernment, intuition, and a willingness to connect with the deeper truths behind the veils of form. 

The Eye of Vision is known by initiates and healers to be related to the Ajna, Crown, and Alta Major energetic chakras in the head. Higher vision develops from the interaction of these three centers to form a great triangular lens of spiritual function. Number three has from time immemorial represented Divinity, closely relating to the three pillars of Freemasonry and also to the three essential emanations of creation; the thought, the word and the act. 

In closing, during the process of awakening, the mason becomes the “Seeing One” and begins to sense the qualities and energies underlying the forms witnessed in the outer world. For example, as expressed so beautifully in the opening scene of the movie “Contact”, the practice of looking into another’s eyes can become a sacred act, a glimpse into the soul of a person’s infinite depth. The iris, with its intricate patterns and colors, serves as a microcosm of the universe, mirroring the beauty of galaxies, nebulae, and star systems. This cosmic reflection reminds us that we are not separate from the grand design of creation. Within our very being lies a connection to the stars, the elements, and the divine story that we each embody. 

With your eye, what are you seeing? What are you not seeing? 

"Deep in the tree, between the root and flowers, the eye again is seen. The eye that knows, the eye that sees, the directing eye—one made of fire, one fluid as the sea, and two which look from here to there. Fire, water and the earth - all need the vital air. The air is life. The air is God." 

-An esoteric formula by Brother Alice Bailey