A look inside The Greatest Escape

The power of the observer

The experience of “I know” certainty is a defining characteristic of ego-centered consciousness, because ego is the one that says “I know.” The true self knows “I don’t know.” However, there is only one way for you to find out where you are on the consciousness continuum. Perhaps unique among the species on this planet, we have the ability to observe ourselves. You have a psychological function of pure awareness called Observer, who can see into any existential cell you may presently inhabit and ask, “What are you doing in there?” Observer is the key to achieving higher consciousness, and like peeking through a keyhole, Observer peers into reality and brings us awareness of the same thing each time. What is, is.

However, until we achieve at least a beginning level of higher consciousness, Observer is asleep most of the time, or awakens sporadically, during meditation, for example. When your Observer is awake, you are in two places at once, both observer and observed, as if you were sitting in a football stadium watching yourself play on the field below. If you either approve or disapprove of what you see about yourself, that is not your Observer at work, but your judgmental ego.

Observer’s awareness is “pure” because Observer has no expectations, emotions, beliefs, or desires. Observer doesn’t care whether something is beautiful or hideous, good or evil, pleasurable or painful. Unlike ego, who judges everything, Observer is as nonjudgmental as a camera. Whether you are blowing up school buses, or experiencing alternate realities, your Observer’s response is the same each time: “Hmmm . . . that’s interesting.”

Because Observer observes reality without wanting to change it, having an opinion about it, or being affected by it, you receive accurate information, free of distortion and bias. Consistent with the paradoxical nature of higher consciousness, Observer’s unconditional acceptance of reality influences change. Observer is the mechanism by which you access your higher potential.

Whatever the reality of your present life, your Observer enables you to unconditionally accept it. Observer’s unconditional acceptance of you, exactly the way you are, transforms you. Observer’s unconditional acceptance of your life, exactly the way it is, transforms it. A society’s unconditional acceptance of itself, exactly the way it is, transforms it. This is in direct contrast to trying to change something, which your experience has undoubtedly already taught you does not work. When you practice quantum techniques, if at anytime you want to change something, nothing will happen, because your Observer is asleep.

You may wonder how Observer, who simply observes and wants to change nothing, can transform reality. The answer is that underlying ego’s illusion of separation, we really do live in an interconnected universe, in which even space and time are not passive, but participate in events. Spacetime is the realm of energy and information, and here, as Einstein explained, the presence of the Observer influences events, such as when light particles behave differently when a photoelectric cell is watching them. Your Observer is responsible for the spooky action at a distance that produces profound changes in you, changes which appear spontaneously, out of nowhere. In human terms, Observer’s unconditional acceptance is indistinguishable from unconditional love, which is one of the most powerful forces in the universe.

In addition to providing accurate information and stimulating change, Observer performs a third service. Peering into reality, Observer gives you insight, producing the kind of knowledge that we call “wisdom.” First you learn new things about yourself, until you become self-aware. Then your awareness expands to include what exists beyond yourself, which, contrary to ego’s limited view, is far more interesting.

People seek counseling because they want a non-biased, non-judgmental, insightful point of view on life, which is what your Observer gives you. In addition, Observer gives you something no one else can provide—self-acceptance, which is a prerequisite for change. Consequently, when you wake up your Observer, you become your own counselor, teacher and guru.

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