Read more about '''[[Self Observation Compilation|Self Observation]]''' from the works of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
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=What is Self-Observation?=
Self observation is to know what stands behind one’s surface nature and personality. To observe oneself is to become conscious of oneself, of the different parts of one’s being and their respective activities. It is to know one’s inner mental, vital, physical and psychic being and its powers and movements... In its advanced stages where one takes an impersonal poise, Self-observation also consists of knowing the universal laws and processes of the occult Mind and Life which stand behind the material-front of the universe. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/21/memory-ego-and-self-experience#p5<h1/ref>Self Observation Summary<ref> http://incarnateword.in/cwm/09/18-june-1958#p3</h1ref>
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=What is Self-Observation?=To Overcome Ignorance==
Man must know himself and discover and utilise all his potentialities: but to know himself In our everyday life, we always look outwards into the appearance of things and get trapped into the world completely he must go behind his own surface ignorance and its exteriorrarely turn inwards. Amongst other things, this comes with ignorance, he must dive deep below his own mental surface unconsciousness, egoism. If we wish to overcome these limitations and discover & utilise our potentialities beyond the physical surface of Natureappearances, we need to observe ourselves. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwm/09/18-june-1958#p3</ref>
As one goes beyond the ordinary surface body consciousness, we discover an inner level of mental, vital, physical being along with a inner subtle ==Self- physical being. By identifying ourselves with our inner being, we are able to observe our thoughts and feelings and can trace the source and motives of our actions and operative energies that build up our surface personality. This helps us in improving our self-vision. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/21/knowledge-by-identity-and-separative-knowledge#p12</ref>It is only through self-observation one gets an intuitive perception of the Nature forces - sattva, rajas, tamas. By Observing one’s dreams, one can come to understand them and their significance to our inner life.<ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/30/three-experiences-of-the-inner-being#p6</ref>awareness==
Through self-observation, one learns to distinguish different parts one from another, so that one may become clearly aware of the origin of the movements that occur in oneself, the many impulses, reactions and conflicting wills that drive one to action. <ref>h http://incarnateword.in/cwm/12/the-science-of-living#p5</ref>
=Why - Self-Observation?=In our everyday life, we always look outwards into the appearance of things and get trapped into the surface ignorance and rarely turn inwards to seek self and discover and utilize our potentials. ...if each element which comes with its ignorance, its unconsciousness, its egoism, is put before the will to change and one remains awake, compares, observes, studies and slowly acts, that becomes infinitely interesting, one makes marvellous and quite unexpected discoveries.<ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwm/04/19-april-1951#p14</ref>To Utilise One’s Full Potential==
To work for your perfection, the first step is Man must know himself and discover and utilise all his potentialities: but to become conscious of yourself, of know himself and the different parts of your being world completely he must go behind his own and their respective activities. You its exterior, he must learn to distinguish these different parts one from another, so that you may become clearly aware of dive deep below his own mental surface and the origin physical surface of the movements that occur in you, the many impulses, reactions and conflicting wills that drive you to actionNature. This he can only do by observing oneself.<ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwm/1209/the18-sciencejune-of-living1958#p5p3</ref>How to Observe Oneself?
=How to Observe Oneself?=
By projecting oneself on a screen and then observe and see all that is moving there and how it moves and what happens.<ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwm/05/29-july-1953#p47</ref>
'''==By Vigilance'''Cultivating the Inner Attitude of Witness==
Not fearTo observe oneself, but vigilancefirst & foremost is cultivating an inner attitude of witnessing. Witness attitude is not the same as introspection. If you remain vigilantIn introspection, then one looks with one part of the increase surface mind at what happens in another part of the Force upholding yousame surface mind. Whereas when we have the witness attitude, a power of selfour consciousness frees itself from habitual entanglements in thoughts, feelings and sense-control will comeperceptions and becomes peaceful, silent, and capable of watching whatever happens in nature as a power to see and reject the wrong turn pure witness, sakshi, without bias, reaction or the wrong reaction when it comesinvolvement. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/31/fear#p12</ref>
'''By Developing However, in the beginning, it helps to use the introspective mind, especially if a Quiet Mind'''human has a well-development introspective mind. It helps in not getting carried away by thoughts and feelings. A man with a very developed with very identifies with this part of his mind and observes his own thoughts and studies their nature. That is a beginning which makes it easy for the full detachment to come.
If Further, to develop the whole mind remains quiet witness attitude it helps to Project oneself on a screen and detached observing the vital movement, but not giving its assent, then to reject observe and see all that is moving there and how it becomes more easy. This established quietude moves and detachment of the mind marks always a great step forward made in the sadhanawhat happens. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsacwm/3106/the-vital-and-other-levels13-ofoctober-being1954#p45p2</ref>
'''By Developing Look at oneself objectively as a third person engaging in the Witness Attitude'''surface level activities. One need not like or dislike the activity but sincerely observe the movements of nature.
In order to become conscious, one needs to develop within a part with a witness attitude that observes and is not carried away by thoughts and feelings. People with very developed introspective mind identifies ==By Developing the Contact with this part and it becomes easy for them to begin the process of self-observation.Psychic Being==
The process of self-observation should be objective mental being within watches, observes and one should look at oneself as a third person engaging passes judgment on all that happens in the surface level activitiesyou. One need The psychic does not watch and observe in this way like or dislike a witness, but it feels and knows spontaneously in a much more direct and luminous way by the very purity of its own nature and the divine instinct within it, and so, whenever it comes to the front it reveals at once what are the activity but sincerely observe right and what the wrong movements of in one’s nature.By Education<ref>h http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/29/work-and-yoga#p45</ref>
Consequently, all life is an education pursued more or less consciously, more or less willingly. In certain cases this education will encourage the movements that express the light, in others, on the contrary, those that express the shadow. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwm/12/vital-education#p6</ref>==By Being Vigilant==
==Difficulties during SelfSecondly, vigilance helps in self-Observation==observation. If one remains vigilant, not fearful, then with the increase of the Force upholding oneself, a power of seeing and self-observation comes. The power of seeing is accompanied by the power of self-control and the power to reject the wrong turn or the wrong reaction when it comes. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/31/fear#p12</ref>
Be aware of the “escape attitude’’ as man always rushes into external action and looks for reasons to not have time to observe himself and turn inward.==By Developing a Quiet Mind==
There is “danger Thirdly, quietude and detachment of ego” the mind helps in observing self-observation. If the movements whole mind remains quiet and attaching detached, then to observe the sense of ‘I’’to vital movement without giving assent and rejecting it becomes more easy. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/31/the process -vital-and-other-levels-of self-observing and not going behind the surface level I.being#p45</ref>
Focussing on ==By Exercising the negative- To be always observing faults and wrong movements brings depression and discourages the faith. <ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/31/steps-towards-overcoming-difficulties#p28</ref> You have Will to observe them, of course, but not stress them.<ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/31/dealing-with-depression-and-despondency#p22</ref>Change==
Surface -level observation It is evident By putting each element that enters our state on consciousness before the surface is indeed a state of knowledgewill to change while remaining awake, so far as it goescomparing, but a limited knowledge enveloped and invaded by ignorance observing, studying andslowly acting, we are able to a very large extent, by reason of its limitation, itself a kind of ignorance, hone our ability at best a mixed knowledgeself-ignoranceobservation and make interesting discoveries within oneself.<ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/21/knowledge-by-identity-and-separative-knowledge#p7</ref>
= How to Observe Oneself? =By Educating the Senses==
By the education of the senses the growth of one'''Condition'''s general education is aided. The senses can, in particular, be used as instruments of observation, control and knowledge. For instance, the way one keeps one’s room is often a reflection of where one is in one’s consciousness. Taking this feedback, and consciously trying to use the sense of colour and form, order and organisation helps develop the ability to use one’s senses a logical, rational, useful way. Going further, it also helps discover who one is in the conscious way of designing one’s room.<ref>http://incarnateword.in/cwm/06/31-march-1954#p13</ref>
A quiet mind is required for true self=Difficulties in Self-observation and a great amount of inner silence helps in observing the outer action without being involved or moved.Observation=
'''Process'''==Escape Attitude==
''Witness''Man always rushes into external action and looks for reasons to not have time to observe himself and turn inward, thus it is important to be wary of the “escape attitude” within oneself.
In order to become conscious, one needs to develop within a part with a witness attitude that observes and is not carried away by thoughts and feelings. People with very developed introspective mind identifies with this part and it becomes easy for them to begin the process of self-observation.==Ego==
''Impartial The second is the “danger of ego” in observing the movements and Sincere''attaching the sense of ‘I’’ to the process of self-observing and not going behind the surface level I.
The process of self-observation should be objective and one should look at oneself as a third person engaging in ==Focussing on the surface level activities. One need not like or dislike the activity but sincerely observe the movements of nature.Negative==
'''Thoughts To be always observing faults and wrong movements brings depression and discourages the faith. <ref> http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/31/steps-towards-overcoming-difficulties#p28</ref> One has to observe them, of course, but not stress them.<ref> http://incarnateword.in/cwsa/31/dealing-with-depression-and Self-observation'''despondency#p22</ref>
You are separate from your thoughts.In the ordinary state, one thinks by habit and Instead it is unable important to distinguish himself from his thoughts.There is a complete identification between focus on the movement of thought good part and the consciousness of the being. But when one acquires the witness attitude and is able to separate himself from the thoughts, one sees that the thoughts come from outside, from universal Nature, from the mentalgive it strength, vital or subtle physical worlds etc. Thoughts are whilst not denying the essence of mental-being, they are only an activity of mental nature. Being a little aware limitations and observant shows that one is not manufacturing one’s own thoughts, but rather thoughts occur in one’s consciousness. Generally, it is like a thought current passing through the brain and then through the brains of other people. It is a perpetual movement that lacks individuality. Through wrong movements of life and gradually becoming aware of one’s individual sensations, thoughts and ideas, one is able to see that very few thoughts in us are personal. Thoughts lack individuality and one thinks what others are thinking, others think what still others are thinking, and everybody thinks like that in a great mixture, because these are currents, vibrations of thought passing from one to another.
= Three things to be aware of =
Be aware of “many voices” within. All are not divine and many may only be a voice of desire. You should be vigilant and be faithful to the Truth and insist on peace, purity, devotion, sincerity. Aspire for a spiritual change of nature and keep the fire of aspiration burning. Be aware of the “escape attitude’’ as man always rushes into external action and looks for reasons to not have time to observe himself and turn inward.There is “danger of ego” in observing the movements and attaching the sense of ‘I’’to the process of self-observing and not going behind the surface level I.'''Content curated by Aditi Kaul'''
= Results of Self-observation =
If one sincerely observes oneself and put all one’s ignorance, unconsciousness and egoism before a will to change then life becomes infinitely interesting and one can make marvellous and unexpected discoveries about oneself. The process becomes interesting and one begins to find out a lot of small hidden folds one never knew existed within. Once they discovered and light is put upon them, they disappear and one no longer has those reactions and that is how you make progress on the path of self discovery.
= Things to Remember =
'''Continuous Process of Self-observation'''
If one begins to find out, to understand what a feeling is and what a thought is, and how it works, then one can already go quite far on the path. One must at the same time observe how his feelings and thoughts have an action on the body, what the reciprocity is.
And then, there is another exercise which consists in looking into oneself for what is persistent, what is lasting, something which makes one say "I", and which is not the body.
'''Divine as Observer'''
A hidden Power is the true Lord and overruling Observer of our acts and only he knows through all the ignorance and perversion and deformation brought in by the ego their entire sense and ultimate purpose.
'''Content curated by Aditi Kaul'''
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Read more about '''[[Self Observation Compilation|Self Observation]]''' from the works of the Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
|}
==References==