What does the world look like when you sneak a peak through someone else’s eyes? How does our experience change, when we truly try to look out of the world through the eyes of another? I’ve often tried this practice in my own life, walking around and about in the world....trying to visualize what it is that someone else sees in the same places and spaces we share together, if only for a moment.
For me, it helps break the monotony of my own inner experience, which is usually a meandering, mindless re-capitulation of the same selfish concerns, worries, fears, phobias, anxieties and the endless stories I tell myself about myself, and the others who appear in the movie of my life.
When I’m mindful - and I do this practice with persistence and intention - seeing the world, if only for a moment, through someone else’s eyes is the most transformative form of mindfulness there is. The same awareness is present in all of us - denuded of the specific circumstances and situations, the habit patterns and particular personalities - we’re all fundamentally the same.
The canvas of consciousness - the expansive awareness underneath it all - stripped of the stories - and behind, before and underneath it all - this is the same screen in which all of our stories appear.
But even if that’s too weird or woo for you....
we all have the same wants, too.
We all want to be happy.
To be healthy.
To be fearless and free.
To be loved and seen.
I can only speak for myself, of course - but an attitude of curiosity, is the quality you want to cultivate to live a more mindful, kindful and compassionate life.
When I can’t find compassion in my arsenal of available attitudes to extend to another, when i’m being the best version of me (which ain’t often) curiosity is always my go to move.
And compassion, curiosities close cousin, is always only a short walk away.
Thank you for reading - I appreciate you!
:)
Ian
