04/02/2022
Observer self, self as context, noticing self or flexible perspective taking - all names for the same part within ourselves, a part it's recommended to connect to daily in order to authentically observe our inner experience.
This morning I wrote a letter to my ‘noticing self’.
What’s my ‘noticing self’?
We don’t really talk about the ‘noticing self’ very much in everyday life.
We don’t even have a word for it in English (I’m just choosing to call it the ‘noticing self’).
So, what is the ‘noticing self’?
I’ll show you.
Pause for 30 seconds and listen to what your mind is saying to you.
That’s it.
The thoughts are generated by your mind.
The part of you that notices your thoughts is your noticing self.
The noticing self is an important part of me.
So, I decided to write my noticing self a letter:
Hello Noticing Self
How are you?
I’m noticing that I’m writing to my noticing self - ha!
I’ve never written to you before.
I haven’t always known about you.
But you’ve always been there.
My mind likes to hold my attention.
But you’re always there.
If my thoughts and feelings are like the weather, you’re the sky.
Just as the weather cannot harm the sky, my thoughts and feelings cannot harm you.
You’re always there. You’re a constant. You’re safe.
As I change and grow and age, you’re always there.
As the world changes around me, you’re always there.
Even when I wasn’t aware of you, you were there.
Even when I’m completely consumed by my thoughts and my feelings and my stories, you’re there.
You’re the calm at the centre of me.
Thank you for always being there.
And here’s the thing. It’s easy to connect with you.
You’re not a mysterious, mystical force.
I don’t need to go on a silent meditation retreat or achieve some kind of zen status to connect with you.
It’s easy.
All I need to do is stop for a minute and say:
I’m noticing that I’m feeling...
Or
I’m noticing that I’m telling myself...
Or
I’m noticing that I’m having the thought that...
And breathe.
Breathe.
Breathe.
And it’s important to connect with you.
Because, when I’m connected with you, I choose wisely.
I choose to take steps that move me toward where and who I want to be.
When I notice what I’m thinking and feeling, I can see what I need more clearly.
It’s easier to be kind to myself.
So, this is me saying hello to you for the first time.
I’ll keep on connecting with you to show myself - again and again - that you’re there and that I can always return to you.
Thank you for being there.
Lots of love,
Me