Your Progress
0%
DAY 5 - OBSERVER

There is no way to get behind the absolute requirement of the observing mind in interpreting the results of quantum experiments, leading some to the startling conclusion that consciousness paints reality.

Living in a Mindful Universe

Athletes, creative artists, and musicians often focus intently on a specific task to great satisfaction. This attentive state of mind is sometimes referred to as a “flow state” or “being in the zone.”

We do not consciously think when we enter a flow state—in fact, it feels more as if the thinking mind is taking a break. While in this state, brain-wave studies reveal that activity is reduced in the prefrontal cortex, a region associated with analysis and monitoring our behavior.

The flow state is an ideal time to learn to recognize your inner observer – that is who you truly are – as contrasted with your thoughts, the roles you play, or your outward appearance to others.

Becoming more aware of this inner observer can be most useful as you begin to consciously notice your thoughts and emotional responses from a different part of yourself—with no judgment.

This part of you that notices the thoughts is objective and neutral. As you start to notice, the key is to realize this part of you is separate from your thoughts. It does not analyze, it simply observes. This is the first means to connecting with the larger part of you that exists beyond your physical body. As you create more conscious awareness of this observer, you begin to witness your thoughts as being separate from your observer.

This “observer” can be viewed as the self-awareness of the universe, manifested as an eddy current that we see as the subjective experience of a sentient being. This “observer” aspect of consciousness is at the core of the measurement paradox of quantum physics, where choices made by the “observing mind” directly impact the results of the observation.

PRACTICE

During your daily  practice, begin to notice your inner observer. This is the part of you that notices when you have lost focus due to distracting thoughts. Realize that you can observe your thoughts from this separate part of yourself without attaching to them.