Observer

What it is

The observer is the part of our consciousness that can watch our thoughts, feelings and reactions without becoming them. As the ego learns to align with the Higher Self, it develops the ability to observe the Lower Self without identifying with it.

Why it matters

One of the great discoveries of the Pathwork is that the observer is more real than what it observes. This realization makes transformation possible.

From Bones

~1~

When we become identified with our Lower Self, we mistakenly believe that’s all there is to us… Think about it. If this were all of us, we wouldn’t be able to spot it and evaluate it, analyze it and alter it.

In truth, the part of us that is doing all this watching is certainly more in charge than the part that is being watched.

It has more power and is more real—not so caught in untruthful distortions… The observer is more real and more in charge than the observed. This is a powerful distinction we must learn to make. (Chapter 17)

~2~

We can watch the Lower Self the way we would observe a third person, trying for a little detachment—to be slightly less involved in it. “Oh, I see how you are showing up today to make me look away from my faults.”

We can put some distance between our observer-self and our own Lower Self reaction. For example, notice how our ego, our hurt, our vanity all become so serious and so involved when we deal with something unpleasant in ourselves. (Chapter 12)

~3~

The Lower Self derives its identity from being negative. We must start to identify it and observe it. This makes us the observer, not the one who is being observed. And this takes us one step away from our old habitual experience. (Chapter 17)

Continue with: Awareness • Ego • Self-identification