Exercise: Connecting to the Evolved Observer

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This is less of a post and more of a marker--a reminder to myself of something I need to keep with me. Something I want to try. Feel free to try it too, if you like.

Look at a space in the room where you're sitting where a person might stand and be able to observe you.

Now imagine yourself standing in front of you as the fully evolved person you've imagined you could be. Not the person who you think (or have been told) you "should" be. I mean the real, ultimate ideal for you--the dream person, who you imagine, in the deepest parts of your soul, you could be. The true person you know yourself as, if you could get past all the crap and negativity. The you who would exist if your world were without fears, worries, any of the outside or inside motivations or needs that hold you back or push you forward.

Imagine it all, what your ultimately evolved self looks like, feels like, is wearing, does with her or his days, all of it. Imagine that person as if she or he is corporeal, standing in front of you. Imagine she or he is looking right at you--calmly, affectionately, and without judgment--just looking at you, connecting with you, as you look back. Imagine this person taking you in visually as you are RIGHT NOW in this moment, whatever you are doing, wherever you are sitting, whatever you look like, wherever you are in your life; absorbing you so you are each sharing the other's thoughts and feelings.

Now connect to what the evolved observer version of you is seeing and feeling towards you as she or he is looking at you, and what, right now, in this moment that version of you would say to you, and/or do. How would that evolved person communicate or interact with you, looking at you at exactly this moment, with only affection and the desire to make the best, warmest connection with you possible as you are right now?

Whatever message that person has for you, whatever they feel compelled to do for you or tell you right now, do that for yourself or tell yourself that for the rest of the day.

When you wake up tomorrow, do this exercise again. Do it every day. Hourly, if you want. Until you are both the same person.

A connected reminder: You are not bad; or good. There IS no good or bad. There's only you, as you are, working toward your vision of the fully evolved you. There are no good choices, action or thoughts; there are no bad choices, actions, or thoughts. There are only choices, actions, or thoughts that will or won't get you closer toward being that evolved version of you who you dream of. When a thought goes through your mind or a choice comes up, don't think about if the thought is good or bad; don't think about what other people will think or say, or if they'll be critical of if you make that choice; don't think about if that choice is smart or stupid, possible or impossible. Ask yourself simply, "Will this help me evolve to where I want to go/who I want to be?" Then respond accordingly.

And if a choice turns out to not help you evolve as expected, don't spend time beating yourself up that you made "a bad choice" or "always make bad choices." Simply recognize that choice turned out not to help you evolve, and now you know. That's all. And then go on and try a new choice. Keep trying. Don't hurt yourself because every choice won't always bring you forward as hoped. You didn't do bad. You didn't do good. There is no score; there is no judgment or evaluation. There's only you, evolving as you go.

(Photo credit: Evolving Planet by sgtpepperzl)