There are times when you want to display hidden files (files that start with a dot, like .ssh, .bashrc or .Trash).

Execute this command (as a regular user) from within the Terminal.

$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE

$ killall Finder

To Restore the default settings and hide all these files.

$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles FALSE

$ killall Finder