Self Observation Quotes

• Without self knowledge, without understanding the working and functions of his machine, man cannot be free, he cannot govern himself and he will always remain a slave.

  G. I. Gurdjieff

  Spiritual, Knowledge, Acceptance

  "In Search of the Miraculous: Fragments of an Unknown Teaching". Book by Pyotr Ouspensky, 1949.

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• Observe all men, thyself most.

  Benjamin Franklin

  Men, Poor Richard, Self Discovery

  Benjamin Franklin (2007). “Poor Richard's Almanack”, p.56, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

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• Self-observation is the first step of inner unfolding.

  Amit Ray

  Inspiration, Self, Meditation Practice

  Amit Ray (2010). “Meditation: Insights and Inspiration”, p.64, INNER LIGHT PUBLISHERS

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• The only way someone can be of help to you is in challenging your ideas. If you're ready to listen and if you're ready to be challenged, there's one thing that you can do, but no one can help you. What is this most important thing of all? It's called self-observation.

  Anthony de Mello

  Self, Ideas, Challenges

  Anthony De Mello (1999). “Anthony De Mello: Writings”

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• How then can we change being? By applying the knowledge of the Work through self-observation to ourselves. And remember that you do not change by being told what to do. You only change through seeing what you have to do when you realize what your being is like.

  Maurice Nicoll

  Self, Remember, Realizing

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• Self-observation brings man to the realization of the necessity of self-change. And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation itself brings about certain changes in his inner processes. He begins to understand that self-observation is an instrument of self-change, a means of awakening.

  G. I. Gurdjieff

  Spiritual, Mean, Men

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• Association with human beings lures one into self-observation.

  Franz Kafka

  Self, Literature, Association

  Franz Kafka (1954). “Wedding preparations in the country: and other posthumous prose writings. With notes by Max Brod”

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• When we play, we sense no limitations. In fact, when we are playing, we are usually unaware of ourselves. Self-observation goes out the window. We forget all those past lessons of life, forget our potential foolishness, forget ourselves. We immerse ourselves in the act of play. And we become free.

  Lenore Terr

  Life Lesson, Past, Self

  Lenore Terr (2000). “Beyond Love and Work: Why Adults Need to Play”, Touchstone Books

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• The training is a set of interpersonal interactions that lead to emotional and intellectual experiences that provide a circumstance and an intrument for self awareness, self observation and reflection on the circumstances of the subject trainee, both in his individual life and as a social being.

  Humberto Maturana

  Life, Emotional, Reflection

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• A lot of my music is just self-observation. Like telling you, "Oh man. What did I just do? How much did I just pay for this chain? Why did I do that? Wait a minute." Let me talk about that. Or like, the temptation. Let me talk about that. Let me observe myself.

  J. Cole

  Men, Self, Waiting

  Source: www.wbur.org

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• Generosity is another quality which, like patience, letting go, non-judging, and trust, provides a solid foundation for mindfulness practice. You might experiment with using the cultivation of generosity as a vehicle for deep self-observation and inquiry as well as an exercise in giving. A good place to start is with yourself. See if you can give yourself gifts that may be true blessings, such as self-acceptance, or some time each day with no purpose. Practice feeling deserving enough to accept these gifts without obligation-to simply receive from yourself, and from the universe.

  Jon Kabat-Zinn

  Letting Go, Spiritual, Acceptance

  Jon Kabat-Zinn (2016). “Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness meditation for everyday life”, p.54, Hachette UK

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