Adopting an observer perspective

A story read by a person can be viewed from different perspectives. The reader can create different versions of the main character and also read from the perspectives of different other characters. If we are able to take an observer stance, then we can see the story from a neutral perspective and understand it without getting emotionally entangled in it. However, we normally face strong internal resistance while trying to change perspective. The main reason for the resistance is excessive self-importance or ego. The main reason for emotional reaction and unhappiness and relationship problems is because of the mind's exaggerated projection of ego or false self. False self believes that we are better than the other person and it extrapolates the same belief to everyone – “I am superior to everyone”. The false self believes that it's always right, it has the power over others, its opinions are highly valued and appreciated by others, and it plays games in order to established power over others. In case it is not able to do so, it will create the contrary perspective of a less worthy person and will generate emotions of fear, anxiety, loneliness, powerlessness, and depression. The thoughts, stories, and beliefs that revolve around this perspective are repetitive, compulsive, and destructive. The inner dialogues such as, ‘I have no friends,’ ‘I am alone,’ I'm terrible,’ ‘I am useless,’ ‘I'm a fool,’ ‘life is meaningless,’ ‘I hope my life ends,’ etc., will be generated centralized around self-blame and judgment. Standing in the focal point of the ego, it is extremely difficult to become conscious of the perspective. Moreover, the ego changes its masks of different characters so quickly that it dodges our attention. Instead of pretending to be alright at all times, we need to shift the perspective using the power of observation by a thorough investigation. The shift in perspective is not about experiencing a lot of emotions or memories, it is rather shifting the viewpoint from which we view ourselves, our inner world, and life. When viewed from the new perspective, the interpretations and their beliefs about the people, events, and life changes. 

​

The best way to disengage from the past perspective and consequent identity is by writing down our untold stories or by uninterrupted listening. Watching from the third-person perspective is an effective method to shift the point of view and the characters involved. As we engage in different characters within, different responses of thoughts and emotions emerge. For example, today I was having an argument with my wife for a silly reason. I automatically got engaged in my old identity of her husband, and I lost my temper against her. I expressed dominance and rage as I used to do years back. Later as I retrieved myself, I observed my current identity from a third person's point of view. I disengaged from the characters perceived one by one. As I observed deeper, I saw and expressed all incomplete emotions, and I gradually slipped into the perspective of my true self. From this new perspective, the emotions of clarity, compassion, power, oneness, purpose, future, devotion, etc., started flowing and a whole new interpretation started rolling through me. The interpretations, meaning, and believes we engendered from the past experiences get disengaged in the shift. From this perspective of my true self, I could also observe the past times when I entered into this perception. I remembered the elevated emotions that produced positive results. Interestingly, when I changed the perspective, the response of my spouse, as well as my children, shifted to pleasant emotions. This revised my belief system that the other is my reflection of my adopted character. 

​

Solving emotions and relationship problems are not necessarily done by knowing and removing negative emotions, interpretations, judgments, and thoughts. In order to address the real causes, we need to address the character structure of our beliefs and effective belief bubbles. For example, when I adopted the husband's character and held the belief that my wife is judgmental, the emotions that were generated were fear, anger, hatred, rejection, dominance, rage, and seclusion. When the controller character kicked in, I had the belief that I need to be in power and control, and that generated fear, suspiciousness, and a false sense of power and protection. The moment I shifted to my true self, I shifted to a positive belief bubble that uttered the deeper truth that we are all one, we have a single mission, we have one destiny, we will always remain one, and we have a higher purpose to pursue together, and so on. Furthermore, when I shifted my perspective to my God-self, I felt compassion, radiance, purpose, commitment, gratitude, and devotional service towards everyone, all by a mere shift of viewpoint from my false self to true self to God-self. If we recognize that the confidence, worthiness, empowerment, relief, optimism, futuristic, gratefulness, etc. were produced due to a shift in self-perspective, we can adopt the right character consciously in time.