In recent months I have begun looking at people in a new way. Consciously looking at them with a strengthened intensity, and a deeper focus on looking into their core being. Reaching for an understanding of who they are on a molecular level, and truly feeling their energy.

Have you ever looked deep into someone’s eyes? I mean really deep; with complete mindfulness. And not someone you’re in love with or close to, but someone you have just met.

This is what I have been exploring, and it is an unbelievable experience. It makes my heart beat a little faster just thinking about the potency of it.

This past week I was afforded a wonderful opportunity to truly practice this. I joined a group of my colleagues in a two-day, user experience research session we were conducting for our client in the automotive industry. A lead researcher conducted ninety-minute, one-on-one interviews with people, while our team observed behind a two-way mirror.

Our primary objective was to learn more about people’s receptivity to new technologies we’re envisioning for a future line of automobiles. And we indeed learned quite a bit. It was delightful to validate our vision, and to hear people’s excitement for the forthcoming availability of products we’re designing. But for me there was so much more happening.

As I sat before the window, watching and listening to people share their perspectives on our ideas — people I had never previously been in the presence of — I gazed into their eyes as if they were long-time friends who were telling nostalgic stories of our youth. I focused on their emotions, their tone, their presence. And I fell in love with each of them.

This made me happy. It also made me wonder how I have spent my entire life falling in love so few times.

Love is beautiful. So far as I am concerned, it is the single greatest gift we as human beings can afford anyone and anything around us. We can give it freely, without reservation or condition, and it’s an abundant resource. But the best part, as I am learning, is that it doesn’t even need to be explicitly gifted from one person to another. Especially if the recipient is open and receptive, and practices mindfulness in the presence of others.

These people had stories to share and opinions to express. They wanted to be heard and validated. They weren’t there to gift love to anyone. Yet as I entered a state of mindfulness, I received the love of their presence and their essence.

One human being expressing, and another listening. Deeply. That’s all it took.

What I realized in hindsight is that my deep listening enabled me to be fully present, energetically. My preconceived notions about who these people are — based on societal influence about their appearance, age, gender, and other physical characteristics—was completely eradicated. I saw the core of their being emanating brightly. And it was beautiful. What a gift, to truly see with my being rather than my eyes.

That’s how I want to see all people, everyday. I want to look at them deeply in mindfulness and fall in love with them all. What a spectacular lens for viewing the world around me.

I went into these research sessions with an objective of learning more about how people want to interact with automobiles of the future. And while that objective was met with great success, I also left with the unexpected reward of heightened enlightenment. For this I am grateful. And so it is.