Witnessing in Peace

This article reflects the view and understanding of the author at the time of drafting this article. Drafted April 2023; published June 2025


This article is inspired by a recent experience the author had. Many of us may have had similar experiences in the past, and this article offers a collective opportunity for reflection and investigation. 

Let's say, for example, we are walking into a busy, noisy restaurant. Suddenly stepping into a place full of people and noise may cause an overwhelming feeling in the body. Depending on one's attitude and character, there may be a sudden aversion towards the place, the noise, and the people.

We may experience something like irritation, annoyance, or agitation.

When we investigate this agitation, we see that it is not the restaurant and the environment that are agitated, but the agitation is our reaction towards the environment. In fact, we may notice that the people in the restaurant are all very happy together, enjoying their meals and the company of one another.

So, the environment itself is not to blame, as the agitation is arising within ourselves.

Changing perspective

Being aware of the agitation happening is already an advantage, because internally, we can take a step back and see it from a "distance". This means that we have the opportunity to not react or respond to this immediately. 

Instead of being entangled with this agitation, we can observe it from the viewpoint of awareness. When we look at it like this, it becomes very transparent, and it loses its value. The agitation may still appear, but it does not affect us. We see that it is not attached to a personal identity or entity, and in this way, it fades out and dissolves.

See, this is the power of witnessing in peace.

What we consider to be "out there", such as the world or the universe, is never agitated. It is always in complete and perfect harmony. The agitation simply appears in our minds and bodies. It appears as thoughts and bodily sensations, in our open, free, peaceful awareness.

There is a quote from Lao Tzu, "Do you imagine the universe is agitated? Go into the desert at night and look at the stars. This practice should answer the question."*

We can put this to the test. We do not necessarily have to hire a camel and go into the desert at night, but we can look at the stars, and draw our own conclusion.

Or, just drop all mental conclusions and simply experience the way things are.

Always in perfect harmony

Now, we can apply this same understanding to our lives. We may hold an aversion to what is happening right now, feel a strong desire to change it, and experience agitation or anger. 

We may be facing a situation where we, identifying as a "separate self" think it is "not right" and we try everything in our limited capacity to change it. We try to reject what is unfolding in the here and now.

Instead, we can change our perspective from the viewpoint of the "me" and "my" and "I" as a separate self, and we look at things from the free, open, impersonal viewpoint of awareness.

Then, we may see what is unfolding for us right now as a gift and as a blessing. 

Sunset over a village in the Sahara Desert.

Related articles on this blog:
Nobody out there - December 2024
The Divine Dream - March 2025
Freedom in our True Nature - April 2025


*Quote from "The Unknown Teachings of Lao Tzu, Hua Hu Ching", page 7.