Lesson One: Witness vs. Judgement

She wore an oversized sweat shirt and leggings, barely a stitch of makeup, and her black hair peppered lightly with grey was pulled up in her signature pony tail.  There was nothing superficially fussy about the woman but she exuded the elegance of a dancer, the grace of a performer, and the passion of a true teacher.  She also taught us one of my favourite lessons.  Cathy was our Movement teacher.  University professors often hold class for hundreds.  Cathy was one of three teachers dedicated to the twelve of us in our acting program.  In such an intimate setting, in our charming classroom decorated with mirrors and black boxes, painted bruise blue in “the Hut”, our derelict war era building, we sat awaiting our metamorphosis into great actors through movement.  But during that lesson we barely moved.  We learned that before there is movement there is feeling: the impulse to move, the purpose of the movement.  She held class that day and taught us that some feelings needed to be taught.

Lesson one.  Witness vs. Judgement.

A performance is the end result of hundreds of hours of rehearsal, classes, and private practice.  To judge oneself and others in this process is corrosive.  A supportive environment makes artists feel safe so that they may risk, follow inspiration, and create. The end result is Art.  Cathy had us, one by one, stand before the class and recite something.  Meanwhile, we all silently criticised every moment, dissected every move, and passed judgement on it all.  Our opinions were rarely positive. Then we all experimented with “witness mode”, wherein we watched, observed details, and absorbed the experience. We let the moment affect us, staying open to the experience without passing judgement.

Wow.

As the performer, the feeling from the audience was tangibly different.  As the audience, the performance was enhanced by “witnessing”.   The channel to the wisdom, artistry, and authenticity of the piece was clearer.  The difference being that we observed without getting in the way.  We felt moved instead of manipulated. We have been taught our whole lives that our judgment is our right and our obligation. I learned that is not so.  It is not only unnecessary at times, but it is destructive.

The wisdom of the world is reaching for you, sometimes with an unsightly hand.  It is packaged  in the diversity of men, women, young, old, ethnicities, egocentricities, classes and quirks and is avoided if unfamiliar.  If you judge the message, the messenger, or yourself I guarantee the wisdom will be lost.  Practice today.  Witness the moments.  See how they make you feel.  Then let them go.  You are observing all the same.  Perhaps you will be more keenly aware because, without being so concerned about your own opinion, you can be present to experience the moment in its entirety.

 

So today we start “Witness” simply with:

1. Don’t judge yourself.  Witness your body, your voice, and your choices.  Perhaps, without passing judgment over everything you do, you can begin to really see yourself.  Accept this.  And let it go.
2. Witness others.  Be present.  Experience them without needing their person to relate to you and your opinions.
3. Be aware.  As you find yourself falling into the trap of judgment.  Stop.  Let the moment affect you. Then, without deciding if its worthy, let it go.

 

I’d love to know how that affects your day.  That’s how we will move forward from here.  By witnessing our journey instead of judging it you will be safe to risk, follow inspriration and create the life you dream of.  Follow The Celestial Body in AOS for further posts about the actor’s greatest tool: our body and it’s movement.

 

Read other posts for thoughts on this lesson:

• Revelation
• The Art of Jealousy
• Comparing Yourself With Others