A Snippet of Module 5

" Being curious about what will happen next if you just watch without judging can create space for calmness and wisdom".

Module 5

Introduction:

This brief introduction to Module 5--Gently Noticing with Curiosity--gives a taste of a practice that leads to a sense of freedom.

Are you someone that tends to impulsively jump in to fix problems even when they are not yours? Or do you torture yourself with incessant thoughts of how people and things should be and then try to make things happen in the way you imagine? It is not usually necessary to jump in and control life with immediate answers. Stepping back to gently observe can slow down a tense situation. Being curious about what will happen next if you just watch without judging can create space for calmness and wisdom.

I consider 19th-century educator, Charlotte Mason, as one of my mentors. She taught a principle she called "Masterly Inactivity". This means to set boundaries for children and then allow them breathing room to explore, learn and grow within those boundaries. If a child is curiously exploring a frog found in a pond, masterly inactivity would be to observe the child watching the frog. They might then try to catch it and hold it. If they are doing so respectfully, there is no need to interrupt. If you jump in with a bunch of instructions and questions, they may stop learning from the frog and shift their attention to please me or run away from me or worry that they are doing something wrong.

This works the same for all ages, not just children. Give yourself and others space to slow down and observe with awareness and openness to the natural order of life. Let people make choices without trying to influence them if they are within safe boundaries.

Thought questions:

Do you tend to jump in and fix too much?

Do you plan and plan then try to control outcomes??

What relationships in your life would benefit with more masterly inactivity?