The crowd is part of the zone, it's on the periphery. the woman that you are dancing with, the music (AL compas), and the floor are right in the heart of the "zone" (and, no the leader can never close his eyes).
I think the most important think to consider when you walk into La Ronda is your partner and giving yourself completely to them (for me it's all about connection, and communication)
Of course once in a great while "the zone" expands exponentially, the entire room and everyone in it even the building itself are inside like a strange dream where nothing can go wrong, it can be pretty amazing.
