How to play piano without looking at my hand?

ok so I've been playin piano for about 8 years now...

so I should be able to read music without looking down at my hands right?

gosh...its embarrassing...they want me to play at church and stuff...but I cant just sit down and pick up random book and play a song right off the bat...
is this a bad thing?
I know...I should practice more...right?

oh yeah...if I want to play by ear...whats the best way? maybe it just isnt my gift...but I can work at it...
answers would be nice...thanks!

Well, I have been playing piano for 10 years, and I still have a tendancy to do that! My teacher always holds a sheet of paper out over my hands while I play so I can't look down! This helps if you have the patience. And as far as playing by ear, think of the song and then see which notes fit if you sing it out loud! Good luck!

just practice
that's all you need to do
that's all it takes

It's like typing, if you always look at you hands, you will never learn to touch type. Same with a piano. Put off public playing and PRACTICE without looking. You will be horrible at first, but will rapidly improve.
Once you can play without looking, you can begin playing new pieces.
Good Luck !!

hi... I would sugjest getting lost into the music, try closing your eyes and swaying your hand into rhytym and then let it go,if your focused on your eyes then your eyes will be the control of your mind if you close them and focus on where the keys are then youll get it try it and let me know somthing

FIRST FIND THE FILLOF THE KEYBOARD AND SINCE YOU BEEN PLAYING FOR 8 YEARS YOU SHOULD KNOW ALL YOUR CHORDS AND ONE THAT ABOUT PIANO ITS THE SOUND OF THE CHORD THAT HAVE YOU PLAY ANY SONG