The Objective Observer

" An emotion storm can suck us into ruminating thoughts about all the dark, cloudy things in our life."

Module 5

Introduction:

Have you heard of the term “objective observer”?

Maybe your thoughts go to a science class learning about hypotheses and running experiments. You may have been taught to be objective as you wrote down your observations about the way two chemicals reacted.  This kind of objective mindset can be helpful as we do our internal work.

This kind of objective mindset can be helpful as we do our internal work. Sometimes we identify ourselves as our feelings and thoughts. We can start to think "I am a sad person" or "I am a jerk" or some other adjective. Thoughts run in circles and we fall into a kind of emotional blackhole.  An “emotion storm” can suck us into ruminating thoughts about all the dark, cloudy things in our life.  At that point, it is very hard to see a bigger picture.  It feels like the cloud IS life. 

The way out of rumination, emotional storms and black holes is learning to see emotions from the point of view of an objective observer. Here is how.

• Gently notice feelings

• instead of judging emotions as "good" or "bad", think of them as information

• Get curious as if you are an outside observer.

  These guideline used to guide science experiments are interesting to apply to observing emotions.

  

Ponder as you color:

Click here to download coloring page

Thought question:

Ask yourself often: Am I observing this situation accurately or am I projecting how I feel onto what is happening?