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Vernon Howard: On Self-Observation -
from "Mystic Path to Cosmic Power" (written in the 60s)
We now come to the single most
important technique of the Mystic Path. With its persistent practice, any human
being can turn into a new person. This essential and dynamic technique is:
Self-Observation. Before we see what it is, we must see what it
is not. I find many misconceptions here. Self-Observation is definitely not
self-centered mental absorption. If that could liberate, millions would be free!
No, self-centered reflection is the exact opposite of genuine, self-observation,
and its worst enemy. Self-absorption is always characterized by uneasiness;
Self-Observation is the method of destroying uneasiness.
Self-Observation is an act of
watching everything that goes on, both within yourself, and outside. You do
nothing but watch, just as if it were happening to someone else. You do not
personalize. You do not react or form an opinion about any thing you observe,
whether it is a newspaper headline, or an inner feeling.
You judge nothing as good or bad,
pleasurable or painful, favorable or unfavorable. You simply watch, just as if
you have no personal connection with whatever you observe. Think of yourself as
standing on a riverbank, watching passing ships. Some of the ships are bright
with lights and color, others are dark and dreary; but what has either to do
with you? You have no connection with either the brightness or dreariness - you
are merely watching them come and go.
Self-Observation means passive
detachment. You do not try to change the things you see in yourself; you
interfere with nothing. Without attitude and without comment, you simply
look.
It is a remarkable experience to
stand aside and watch a fear, or a depression, or a passion pass through you
without personalizing it. It is sheer magic that eventually changes things
effortlessly and correctly.
�But I am thinking about myself all
the time, anyway. I don't see any difference in what you say and my present
self- preoccupation.�
�We must be totally clear on this.
Self-Observation is not thinking about yourself. There is a world of
difference. Self- preoccupation is like grabbing and wrestling with a tiger.
Self-Observation is like quietly watching the tiger walk by.�
Why are we emphasizing this? It
is the very key to liberating self-knowledge. It enables us to see ourselves
as we really are, not as we imagine ourselves to be. Upon that realistic
foundation, we build a new self; and, great news, when we are
different, things are different.
P. D. Ouspensky quotes his teacher,
George Gurdjieff:
�Self-observation brings man to the realization of the necessity for
self-change. And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation itself
brings about certain changes in his inner processes, He begins to understand
that self-observation is an instrument of self-change, a means of awakening. By
observing himself he throws, as it were, a ray of light onto his inner processes
which have hitherto worked in complete darkness. And under the influence of this
light the processes themselves begin to change.�
The inner light can answer any of this world's queries and resolve any of its problems. Beyond all of these concerns, the inner light will show you who you are and your relationship to all...and bring you an understanding of love and peace that transcends ordinary human thought processes. Discover what it truly means to "love one another" and to "see peace."
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