Life manifests itself spontaneously, at an increasingly accelerated speed, and usually ends up involving us in an endless number of situations. Sometimes, so much saturation prevents us from distinguishing what belongs to us and is part of our experience, from what we absorb from the collective and from people close to us. We end up immersed in realities that resemble more like a soap opera, full of drama and problems, and less like everything we want for ourselves in life.
In situations like this, it might be impossible to concentrate and appreciate all aspects in their true relevance and dimension. When this happens, everything seems to be revolving around you: one idea on top of another, a problem that generates three more, an accumulation of situations that only feed stress and sadness, coupled with the imminent need to find a solution.
Every human being has an intrinsic need for balance, beauty and simplicity. Our cognitive process usually fluctuates from the indeterminate to the determined, from the complex to the simple. Whether consciously or unconsciously, we try to complete the incomplete, order the messy, explain the inexplicable, and fill in the gaps. The only way to learn and evolve in each of our experiences is to live them consciously. This is where learning to observe becomes relevant.
What does it mean to be The Observer?
It involves developing the ability to look carefully, and in doing so, consciously turn what you have observed into learning. To achieve this, it is necessary to take into account the following aspects:
- Remember that we are beings of light inhabiting physical bodies, as vehicles to experience life.
Most people live life immersed in the ‘reality’ of the world, nourished by the collective, where the materiality of life is enhanced as the guiding source of existence. When accepting the conditions that society imposes, we tend to put our divine essence in the background. We build our personality based on our physical aspects and their relationship with the environment, in order to guarantee survival, acceptance and the consequent integration into the society in which we were born. Over time, by religion or spiritual process, we ‘learn’ that we have a soul, which in most cases, tends to remain abstract, less important than everything we can see and touch. We pray or meditate only when something in our life deprives us from our comfort or well-being.
It is important to recognize ourselves first, as that spark of light that lives and experiences life through our physical body, which allows us to connect with the material environment in which we coexist. This way, we will be able to observe with the totality of our being and not only from the surface.
- Recognize that our soul’s essence, deep down, remains in peace, purity, and perfect harmony with divinity.
The situations that afflict us belong to the surface, the external, the material… to our contact and interaction with the physical world.
When you feel overwhelmed, remember that within you lies the connection with your being of light. It is an immutable space where your soul can vibrate in its pure nature; breathe the peace and harmony that are part of our origin.
Becoming aware implies leaving the surface and connecting with your essence, your center… that part of you that stays in tune and balanced at all times.
- Learn to maintain this connection while we go through life, day by day, interacting with everything that surrounds us.
This aspect is a consequence of achieving the previous two. The first point involves changing our outlook on life; that in its simplicity, it has the ability to diametrically transform the way of coexisting in this world. The second invites us to deepen our essence and reinforce our level of connection with it. The third is a little more complex and requires practice to build the habit of maintaining the connection with our own divinity, while we walk our path of life.
The longer we can maintain this state of consciousness, the greater our ability to observe and the level of learning through it will be proportionately higher.
Now, how can we connect with our divine essence?
There are many ways to cultivate this connection. It would be important to discover and pursue the one that works best for you. You might consider any of the following practices:
1. Focus on your breathing.
Take a deep breath, focusing your attention on the 4 stages of the process – inhalation, containment, exhalation, containment. Visualize how your being is illuminated in each breath, charging itself with light. For this, you can rely on guided breathing exercises, a technique called Pranayama, which means ‘breathing control’, brings your body and mind into a relaxed state. It is a technique commonly used in the practice of Yoga.
- Focus your attention on the beating of your heart.
This can be combined with breathing techniques. Connecting with your pulsation of life is a very subtle way to connect with your origin. The sound and rhythmic movement of the beating heart takes us back to the very pulsation of the universe. It allows us to connect our physical body with the emotional and mental, until we reach the soul and the subtle bodies of our being.
- Practice guided meditations.
You can choose between those that help you calm the stress and turmoil of everyday life; or perhaps, one that will help you raise your vibration. The important thing is that you manage to focus your attention on going inward and connecting with your essence. The practice of Yoga is also a very effective means of achieving this goal. Generally, each session ends with a period of relaxation, which invites you to connect with your divine essence.
There are many ways to achieve similar states. There are those who achieve it by leaving their urban environment to connect with nature. It can also be achieved through swimming, or by dedicating time to go for a walk or run individually, in order to enter a meditative state. It could be as simple as sitting in a quiet place and having a delicious tea, while contemplating a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
Please feel free to share your strategies for achieving this meditative state in the comments section at the end of this article…
With all this in mind, it is time to ask ourselves… What happens when we manage to become the OBSERVER?
In short, we become aware of everything that is happening to us and why it happens. This implies noticing what is right and adds meaning to our lives, along with everything that drains us and makes our lives more difficult. This helps us take responsibility for all our actions, opens our eyes to see the truth clearly and allows us to visualize with greater focus and determination what we can do about it.
A very clear example of what it would mean to be a conscious observer can be seen in the following fragment of the film PEACEFUL WARRIOR. I share with you a clip from the film that focuses on the messages of ‘Take out the trash’ and ‘There’s never nothing going on’. In the same way I highly recommend watching the full movie or if you prefer to read the book … It is full of great life lessons.
Peaceful Warrior – “Take out the trash” & “There’s never nothing going on”
In the Creative Industries, we can find famous trend analysts, who are dedicated to carefully observing everything that is happening in our world in order to predict where the interests of various audiences are heading. It could be said these experts in their field are true observers, who are using this quality to look outward, to know and understand the world. Decoding the knowledge acquired, they translate it into relevant information used to design strategic products or services that will resonate with the people’s needs and desires.
From personal experience, part of my work, in the years I worked for Max Mara included frequent travels to key cities for the fashion industry. In them, I focused on analyzing the prevailing trends. At the same time, I investigated what other brands were doing to position their brand identity in their different selling points. These trips were undoubtedly one of the best ways to enhance my creativity, laying the foundations of what was happening at that particular time with the brand and its competition, coupled with the needs and expectations of the targeted audience.
What was I doing specifically? From dawn, I concentrated on observing the entire city’s environment and the people who inhabited it. I would walk all day, visiting the company’s and competitor’s stores. Area by area of the city, I analyzed the interior design, the consumer experience and the proposals of specific atmospheres from each brand. I would observe people, in order to feel their energies and see the way they chose to express themselves through their clothing and physical appearance. All this extended to the moments of choosing a place to eat or dine, visit a museum or see a show. The world is full of information, it is constantly overflowing. It is just a matter of paying attention and learning to observe.
All these examples focus on external aspects of life, undoubtedly very useful, but…
How can we use these observation techniques for our own benefit, mainly from a deep level, to help us transform our perspective on life and the environment around us?
As I mentioned in the previous article – ‘QUALCOSA CHE NON C’E’ – one could step out of his life’s film in order to appreciate one’s own story as a spectator; just as if you were sitting in a movie theater, watching your story projected on the big screen.
Sometimes life is seen as a hurricane sweeping away everything that seemed to be in place, in which it seems that oneself is spinning as well, without being able to touch land, nor able to understand the order of things. In this situation, it is important to enter the eye of the whirlwind that rotates endlessly, with everything that overwhelms or saddens us. In that central space, there is a sense of stillness, a silence and peace that allows us to breathe deeply, visualize with full attention and reduce the speed at which things turn inside our mind. This way, we begin to consciously observe each of the aspects that are part of our lives, and little by little give them the meaning and relevance that each one of them deserves.
It is important to visualize everything that is worth recognizing and exalting. Everything positive is transformed into pillars of reference, which will help strengthen our foundations and provide stability for the achievements and successes acquired. We revere all that is good in our lives, in humility and gratitude. We can also identify some other things that are there, but are neutral; therefore, they do not benefit or potentially affect our lives. In the same way, it is important to give them their place and level of relevance. In the tempest, we must not forget the gifts and blessings that life has given us, to avoid sinking into hopelessness and losing the direction of our life.
By visualizing all of this, surely we are better prepared to observe and manage the negative, which may hurt or consume our energy and vitality. In this way, it is easier to find a solution to each of the things that afflict us. A good starting point is taking the time to notice and feel the emotions that emanate in our being. Connect with each of the aspects and / or people that make up our history, which at that moment needs an adjustment or transformation. Little by little, resolutions will appear, slowing down the chaos, allowing the pieces of our life to take their place, in harmony and balance, for our own good and for those around us.
BE THE OBSERVER
Outside of the tempest, a conscious observer has the ability to focus his attention on every life event as it happens. Every decision made is supported by his thoughts and feelings, in deep connection with his true self, cultivating wisdom of life.
The environment is shaped with events, people and actions that enrich the soul, avoiding those that can be transformed into wind accelerators. Everyday life is experienced from a more sensorial perspective, valuing each moment as unique and unrepeatable.
We may not be able to avoid future whirlwinds or emotional hurricanes, because life happens and will continue to happen, regardless of what we do; but if we learn to live as conscious observers, we will have the ability to dance with the wind and flow with life.
It is time to learn to live life with a sense of responsibility and a sense of gratitude, so we may elevate our vibration.
It is time to let go of everything that prevents us from walking through life in total freedom and fullness, in pursuit of our evolution.
It is time to embrace the times of change with wisdom and love, giving value to our existence by becoming the OBSERVER.
Reference: Millman, D. (2006). Way of the peaceful warrior: A Book That Changes Lives. HJ Kramer; Revised Edition; ISBN-10: 1932073205; ISBN-13: 978-1932073201
Images: Credits in order of appearance: Quinten De Graff, Max LaRochelle, David Marau, Engin Akyurt, Milo Weiler, Milada Vigerova, Milo Weiler, Engin Akyurt, Erik Eastman, Noaa, Goashape, Cdd20, Xavier Mouton, Jayson Hinrichsen, Natalia Sobolivska, Nadim Merrikh, Heidi Fin, Nathan Dumblo, Nikolas Noonan, Tengyart, Quinten De Garff on www.unsplash.com