 | One of the primary techniques that I have used over the years when I have been going through challenging aspects of opening and awakening consciously is Compassionate Curiosity. This is a way of turning my attention toward whatever is grabbing me at the moment, whether it is internal or external, and observing it with the wonder of a child. For a time I put aside the labels and definitions and even the knowledge I have about whatever it is. I stop thinking about it and just be with it. |
If it is internal, I will turn my attention inward and notice with as much directness as I can what it feels like. I notice the sensations in my body and the emotions that may be connected to it without judgment. This can take some practice and we may notice how our mind wants to define and understand and explain it so quickly. But I take a breath and return my curiosity back to what is actually going on. Inevitably, it will change with my attention. The goal is not to change it or make it go away if it feels bad or increase if it feels good, but just to give it my full awareness. Yet it is amazing how the body and emotions often respond favorably to this simple, kind attention.
If what is grabbing me is in the outer world it can be a bit harder. If I have the space and time I do the same thing, but with my attention on the person or circumstances that seem to be causing my reaction. With the same sort of compassionate curiosity, and as much sincere honesty as I can muster, I look upon it or them with an open mind. I notice the thoughts that produce certain emotions and responses in my body. I just stay with what I am noticing, without trying to work it out or solve it. Again, in time I often find a softening or unwinding of my reactivity. Sometimes I even gain a new insight into the situation that helps me let go of old judgments and beliefs. With old, entrenched beliefs and conditioning it may take more then this, but this is still where I start.
So whatever I am facing that seems to drag me off balance, Compassionate Curiosity helps me to drop below my conditioned reactivity and experience it on a deeper and often more beneficial level. Try it and see what you find. You may be surprised!
If what is grabbing me is in the outer world it can be a bit harder. If I have the space and time I do the same thing, but with my attention on the person or circumstances that seem to be causing my reaction. With the same sort of compassionate curiosity, and as much sincere honesty as I can muster, I look upon it or them with an open mind. I notice the thoughts that produce certain emotions and responses in my body. I just stay with what I am noticing, without trying to work it out or solve it. Again, in time I often find a softening or unwinding of my reactivity. Sometimes I even gain a new insight into the situation that helps me let go of old judgments and beliefs. With old, entrenched beliefs and conditioning it may take more then this, but this is still where I start.
So whatever I am facing that seems to drag me off balance, Compassionate Curiosity helps me to drop below my conditioned reactivity and experience it on a deeper and often more beneficial level. Try it and see what you find. You may be surprised!
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