Seeing Life

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"I am so glad that I am on your mailing list. You write like you talk-straight from the heart and it
feels really good to read what you have to say."
--Mike Bown, Senior Performance Consultant, Training & Development Department, International Semitech

The New Way of Seeing

by Alan Steinborn

First I looked in the mirror.

Then I sketched a few lines.

Then I looked again.

Then I sketched again.

And back and forth--looking, sketching, looking, sketching-- for about 10 minutes.

Until I just looked with amusement AT MY VERY FIRST SELF-PORTRAIT:

Now, I don't expect a call from the Guggenheim Museum any time soon.

But like so many things we do in life, the output was not the best part.

Truly valuable was the experiential wisdom I gained in the process!

While drawing this portrait, I experienced directly how my problem-solving
mind was *BLINDING* me!

Then I experienced directly how COOL it is to TRULY SEE!

So what do I mean by the words 'truly see' and why should you care?

To truly see is to see things as they are; not just through the filters of
what you want them to be, or as you remember something similar to be.

You should care about truly seeing, because to not truly see is to miss out big time!

When we don't truly see, we miss lots of opportunities.

When we don't truly see, we miss the beginnings of problems, and thus have to face lots of
yucky stuff that could easily have been avoided if only we open our eyes !

When we don't truly see, we miss the beauty and life giving energy that is around
us for *our* benefit all the time!

To truly see is the KEY to your evolution.

When you truly see, your whole world changes.

Life becomes an energizing feast for your eyes.

When you truly see, you easily and gracefully navigate challenges before they become overly ugly.

When you truly see, the smile on a stranger's face gives you more than Santa could ever give.

You don't need to wait to go on vacation! When you truly see, you see beauty EVERYWHERE and it feels GREAT!

Here is how I came to truly see and how you can too!

While I was drawing, I noticed something strange.

As I tried to copy in exact detail the features of my face, I noticed a strange temptation
that crept up again and again. I found myself wanting to ignore my actual face and draw
instead a cookie cutter, generic, version of eyes, ears, lips, etc...just the geometrics, with
no Alanish particulars.

My problem solving mind argued that it was the most expedient,
sensible way to get the drawing DONE!

Instead of telling me to draw something like this:

My problem-solving mind was
telling me to draw something
like this:

The reason my problem-solving mind tried to turn the subtleties of my face into a smiley
face is because that is its job!

The problem-solving mind notices things just enough to name them, categorize them,
dismiss them as quickly as possible, and move on to the next experience/problem!

I overcame this habit and kept doing my best to let my eyes guide my hands without
the problem-solving mind getting in the way.

Slowly in this way, I began to discover my actual face!

I noticed lines, shapes, colors, moods, shadows; multitudes of details I had never notice before!

I became energized and inspired.

I gazed about my room with this expanded vision and was surprised to notice beauty in
my everyday environment that I simply had not before noticed.

It gave me a tremendous sense of JOY to see the wealth of treasures waiting for my appreciation.

In this way, I became a rich man without making an extra penny!

So my question to you is this:

Of the thousands of faces you have encountered in your life, how many have you ACTUALLY SEEN?

How many colors and shadows and shapes have you delighted in today?

There are 3 abilities you need to see the wealth of beauty that is around you right now:

The ability to focus beyond desire and fear
The ability to see without labeling
The ability to stay open no matter what you think or how you feel

The following is a simple exercise that will help with all 3 abilities.

6 Minutes to True Seeing Exercise

Please read all the instructions before you begin:

1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes.

2. With your eyes closed, put your hands over both eyes.

3. Sit still for 3 minutes with your eyes closed and your palms over your eyes.

While you are doing this, focus your awareness on your eyes. Concentrate on
SEEING the darkness. Make your seeing attention the primary thing you are
aware of for the entire 3 minutes. Just let yourself think anything! It doesn't
matter! The important thing is that no matter what you think, you continue
to focus your attention with your eyes!

4. After 3 minutes, remove the palms from your closed eyes, but keep your eyes closed.

5. For a second 3 minutes, keep your attention on your seeing through your closed
eyes. Notice how the light and color changed when you put your hands down.

6. When those three minutes are up, SLOWLY open your eyes.

7. Let your eyes look at the first object you see. Take a good long look at it and
notice something completely NEW and WONDERFUL about this object.

For a permanent shift, do this simple exercise for 21 days straight!

This exercise will give you a deep sense of relaxation while making your world brighter and more beautiful!

ENJOY!!!

If you see the value of empowering your awareness, I invite you to join us in a special training in mid-september.

Please email me at alan@speaknow.biz, indicate your interest, and I will tell you all about it!

Yours in Presence,

Alan Steinborn

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PS: Here is my second portrait: