Mindful Metaphors - The Observing Self

This small snippet is not actually a metaphor as such, but it is an important shift in perspective that can be incredibly useful when we are faced with uncomfortable issues and problems that arise. Taking the perspective of the observer helps us to realise that the experiences we have are not actually that element that we can call "I" - we can build in a mental distance, and thus gain some valuable respite.

Transcript

Welcome back to these useful metaphors. We're about to look at something called the observing self. This may be a new perspective on who you are and what you think and feel. Come into this present moment by noticing your breath and noticing your breathing. Take a moment to connect with your breathing as it flows in and out of your body. In your mind's eye, Watch the rising and falling of your chest and belly. Notice the physical sensations in your body as you breathe in and breathe out. As best as you can, Simply let the breath breathe itself. Now turn your attention to your body in the chair. Notice the sensations of touch or pressure where your body makes contact with the chair. Notice the varieties of sensation there. Notice how the rising and falling of your breath also manifests in these places. The entire body is in fact breathing. Now turn your attention to your feet inside your shoes. Notice the variety of sensations there. Notice how the sensations are different in different parts of the feet. The balls of your feet, Your instep, Your heels. Now wiggle your toes a little. And as you're noticing these feelings in your body, Notice who is noticing. There is a you there behind your eyes watching all of this as you experience it. A you that is different from your experience. There is this you and then there's your experience. Let's call that part of you that's watching the observing self. And continue to notice your feet inside your shoes from this perspective for a few moments. Now turn your attention back to your breath and your body. Notice the rising and falling as you breathe in and out. Again, Notice who is noticing. There is a you there behind your eyes watching your breath flow in and out. A you that is different from your experience. There is a you and then there's this experience of breathing, This is the observing self. Continue to watch your breathing from this perspective for a few moments. Now think of all the roles you inhabit in your life. Imagine yourself in those roles, The parent, The child, The brother or sister, The student, The worker, The colleague, The partner, The friend, The neighbor. Although you are a bit different in each of these roles, It's the same you inhabiting all of them, Notice that. Now think back over your life and consider how much your body has changed. If we were to look at a picture of yourself when you were a child and compare it to you as you are now, We would see many differences. Every cell in your body is different, Yet it is still you. When you said I as a child, It was the same I you're talking about when you say I now. This is a part of you that has always been here. This is a part of you that hasn't changed. This is a part of you that hasn't changed. This is the observing self. Now think back over your life and imagine the millions of experiences you've had. Imagine the millions of thoughts and feelings you've encountered inside of you, Coming and going, Ebbing and flowing throughout the course of your life. Some have been painful, Some have been pleasant. They have always been changing, But you, The observing you, Has stayed the same. You've been there the whole time, Watching. This is the observing self. This is the observing self.