Observation Exercises
The following 10 exercises will train you to notice the details in your reality that you’re currently ignoring. Some improvements you can expect from committing to these exercises include improved memory and improved pattern recognition - aiding you in making better choices.
Feel free to adjust the details of the following exercises to suit your specific needs - the correct method is whatever works for you. When you’ve completed all 10 exercises feel free to perform them again, if you feel you would benefit from doing so.
Week 1: General Observations
For the duration of a week, take a daily walk and make mental note of everything you see, not focusing on anything in particular. Do not attempt to analyse or make judgement; merely observe. Keep a journal of your observations.
“The goal here is learning to observe without judgement, without attachment. You’ll find this skill to be of great value in manifestation practices, as well as aiding in dealing with situations and people that trigger intense emotional responses.”
Week 2: Specific Observations
Take a daily walk and stop, deliberately focusing in on one particular object. Take note of everything concerning this object.
“This step helps you to train your focus. Focus is important for choosing what you want and committing to your desires.”
Week 3: Colour Observations
Take a daily walk, look for a single colour each day.
On Sunday look for orange;
Monday look for blue,
Tuesday look for red,
Wednesday look for yellow,
Thursday look for violet,
Friday look for green,
Saturday look for indigo.
“The order of the colours matters not, you’re welcome to rearrange them to suit your own purposes. For further consideration, ponder the colours and how they relate to the chakras or energy centres - 7 energy centres, 7 days, 7 steps in the alchemical process.”
Week 4: Active Listening
Take a daily walk and focus on the various sounds that you hear. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with this exercise. Do not attempt to analyse or make judgements; merely take note.
“Now you will begin to expand your awareness to other senses. You will eventually train yourself to ‘observe’ with all 5 senses.”
Week 5: Focused Listening
Take a daily walk and stop, deliberately focusing in on a particular sound. Take note of everything concerning this sound.
“We often disregard our hearing and how what we hear shapes our perception of the world. Contemplate how your soundscape affects your emotional state and beliefs.”
Week 6: Touch Observations
For one week, take note of different tactile or touch sensations that you encounter during the course of the day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with this exercise.
“Try to expand your awareness beyond feeling that something is simply ‘rough’ or ‘smooth’ and explore the detailed textures of the world around you.”
Week 7: Taste Observations
For one week, take note of every taste that you encounter during the course of a day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with your sense of taste.
“Again, expand your awareness beyond the simple sensations of ‘sweet’ or ‘salty’ and try to detect the subtler nuances. Embrace your inner connoisseur. ”
Week 8: Specific Taste
For one week, focus in on one particular taste that you encounter every day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with your sense of taste.
“What do these specific tastes mean to you? How are tastes within the same category actually different?”
Week 9: Smell Observations
For one week, take note of every smell that you encounter. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with your sense of smell.
“Contemplate how you can incorporate your sense of smell into your visualisations. A scene you can see is all well and good, but a scene you can also smell, taste and touch will manifest with greater potency.”
Week 10: Specific Smells
For one week, focus in on one particular smell that you encounter every day. Stop at certain times and close your eyes, so that the faculty of sight does not interfere with your sense of smell.
“Where can you find smells that seem out of place, that you didn’t previously associate with a certain event or location? How can you change your perspective to transmute unpleasant smells into pleasant smells?”