what does it really mean to “get out of our own way”?
We’ve all heard this. but *what does it mean? in other words: “Who or what gets out of whose way?”
Answer: When the “personal you” that we think we are (thoughts, emotions, sensations) is simply witnessed by the part of You that can watch those thoughts, emotions and feelings, “you” get out of the way of the “bigger You.”
What might this kind of practice do for the course of our lives - and our creativity? Well, it leads to ideas that are inspired, solutions that are right for the situation, insights that build understanding.
So how do we do it? Well I’ve come to learn we “do it by doing nothing.”
Be still AND…
watch.
Thoughts / feelings / body sensations.
Do nothing.
(remember: judging is doing. Wanting it to be different is doing. Resisting and clinging is doing. notice the temptation to mine for the “why.” That’s doing too. it’s no big deal, but for sure it’s more “getting in the way.” just notice and come back to watching and doing nothing. that’s it. that’s the practice.
LET’S TRY IT NOW with eyes closed. Set a timer for three minutes and watch this way.
NOW re-set the timer and do another tHREE MINUTES With EYES OPEN.
As a creative coach basing a “method” off of this, it’s my pleasure to walk you through this – as it helps me and my own practice. And I need “re-MIND”ers every day (if not every hour).
We aren’t taught to “do nothing” with our “in the way-ness.”
But this sort of way to regard our own inner state is coming online. ACT Therapy (Steven Hayes). Certain spiritual texts and gurus have been teaching it for eons. And more recently, we have Eckhart Tolle / Amoda Ma / Byron Katie / Keith Kavanagh. And I’m also here to suggest we “Be Still And” as professional creatives. For better ideas, sure. But more importantly for peace, contentment, better relationships and a more “Self-assured” way of Being.