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10. Observing Your Will Impulses and Actions

will, willpower, choice

This practice (adapted from the Vesica Institute Essentials and Practices of Spiritual Science course) develops self-awareness and coherence by training you to observe your will impulses and actions as they arise in real time. Rather than attempting to change behavior immediately, you learn to perceive the subtle moments where intention, impulse and action originate. This observational clarity creates the foundation for conscious choice rather than habitual reaction.

This practice is designed to be performed in the midst of daily life, particularly during moments of stress, challenge or emotional charge. These situations most clearly reveal habitual patterns of speech, action and inaction.

Duration: Begin with at least 5 minutes of conscious observation while learning the practice. Once familiar, this exercise can be applied intermittently or continuously throughout daily life.

 

Guidelines

  1. Establish initial awareness
    • Begin by taking a brief moment to clear your mind using bringing awareness to the space between your thoughts until your attention stabilizes. Refer to the Space Between Thoughts Meditation for more details
    • Once your mind feels clear and present, allow this focus to soften and shift into open observation.
  1. Observe your will impulses as they arise. Avoid justifying or excusing what you observe. This is not an evaluation but an honest witnessing. There are two primary aspects to notice:
    • The impulse before action: Before any action occurs, there is a subtle internal activation or trigger. Bring awareness to this moment just before you speak, move or choose not to act. Notice:
      • When an impulse arises that leads to reactive or poorly considered action
        • By observing the impulse to react, you gain the ability to pause and choose not to act reflexively.
      • When you recognize that action is needed, yet no internal movement occurs and the action is avoided
        • By observing moments of inaction, you illuminate areas where will energy is present but dormant. Awareness itself can activate appropriate follow-through.
    • The action itself: Observe your speech and physical actions as they occur. Maintain the same neutrality you would use when observing a stranger. 
      • Notice patterns in:
        • How you speak
        • How you move
        • How you engage or withdraw
      • Pay attention to the quality of your actions. Ask inwardly:
        • Do these actions reflect clarity and integrity?
        • Or do they reflect tension, avoidance or lower awareness?
  1. Do not attempt to change behavior yet
    • At this stage, do not try to correct or improve your actions. Authentic change can only occur after habitual patterns are fully seen across multiple situations
    • Avoid placing your behavior on “best behavior” simply because it is being observed.
    • Allow patterns to reveal themselves naturally, without suppression or performance.
  1. Sense the impact
    • After noticing a beneficial or detrimental action, briefly check in with yourself. This reinforces the connection between will, action and energetic organization. Notice how the quality of your action has influenced your:
      • Physical sensation in your body
      • Emotional tone
      • Mental state
      • Sense of coherence or fragmentation of your energy field 

 

 

Closing Note

With consistent observation, unconscious patterns gradually come into awareness. This clarity naturally creates space for choice, allowing future action to arise from coherence rather than compulsion. Over time, your will becomes more accessible, responsive and aligned with your deeper resonance.

 

 

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