The Lantern
Lighting the Way
We aren’t trying to change what we discover.
We are simply learning to see it.
The Lantern Waypoint is fundamentally about ‘attention’.
Bringing attention to ourselves – how we feel, how we behave, how we react or respond – but mostly about bringing our attention to who is underneath the layers that the world sees
Way-Marker 1 : Lighting the Lantern
When we bring a light to something we can see it more clearly or differently.
The majority of us do many things automatically everyday. We have routines and ways of doing things that we are almost not conscious of. Some make our life easy and are good for us. Some could be old habits that are not necessarily the best thing for us now.
The aim is to start to be aware of what we are doing automatically. We don’t have to change it, we just become aware of it. Nothing is right or wrong. Examples could be how we make our coffee, or even which cup we use.
How much of what we do happens without conscious thought?
Explorers Experiment
Put your hands together. Without looking, notice which thumb is on top.
Now change it. Put the other thumb on top.
Which felt more natural?
Did you have to think about which thumb you normally put on top?
Notice how quickly your body knew what to do.
You can do this with several things such as crossing your arms and legs, resting your chin on your hands, or just putting your hands together into your lap naturally.
Way-Marker 2 : Seeing What is Here
How much of our everyday lives do we miss because we are not focussing on what we are doing right now.
The aim here is to become aware of the wandering mind. Where does the mind and thoughts go when we are doing something automatic or routine?
The present moment is what is right here, right now. If we are thinking about the past we are not right here, right now. If we are planning the future, we are not right here, right now. We cannot change the past or foresee the future. Peace of mind is in the present.
Explorers Experiment
Look around the room / environment silently for 30 seconds. What did you see that you hadn't noticed before?
Now find a small spot in front of you. It could be on the table or on the floor. Focus on that spot for 30 seconds. What happens? Did you notice when your attention left?
Your body will always be right here and right now. It is only the mind the wanders.
Way-Marker 3 : Looking with Curiosity
We introduce the concept of self talk here. How do I speak to myself? How do I judge myself? Can I change the words I use about myself?
The aim is to start to understand how we close the doors on ourselves with self judgement, and in order to become more curious we could become kinder with the words we use to describe ourselves.
Curiosity doesn’t mean liking everything you discover. It simply means “I am willing to look”.
Explorers Experiment
Write down 3-4 phrases that are judgemental. Just go with generic statements at this point.
Now change the phrases so they become more curious.
For example a judgement could be "I'm terrible at this.“
But we are not looking to just state the opposite so it doesn't necessarily need to become "I'm brilliant at this!"
It could become "I'm finding this difficult. I wonder why?"
You're not replacing negative thinking with positive thinking. You're replacing judgement with investigation.
Way-Marker 4 : Noticing the Quiet
This reflection helps us to understand how stillness brings things to the light.
If you are very still and quiet at night holding a lantern insects will start to come into the light. They start to show themselves. If you sit in the woods very still and quiet, wildlife may pass you very close.
The aim is to consider stillness as a way of figuring out an answer to something, instead of pushing, doing, or worrying. Become aware of the ease of things when peaceful.
Why is there a saying that says ‘ Sleep on it’? Because quiet and rest often bring you what you need.
Explorers Experiment
Sit quietly for perhaps two minutes.
You don't need to empty your mind. Just notice what appears in your mind when you stop doing. Two minutes may feel long but that’s the point. Its in the silence that we become more aware.
What did you want to do?
Did you want to move, talk, check something, solve something, think about tomorrow...?
Remember there is no right or wrong. If you wanted to stay exactly as you were, that is as aware as wanting to do something.
Way-Marker 5 : What the Light Reveals
Here we are coming back to the main precept of self awareness exploration – There is nothing to fix; only something to discover.
What do you already know that you may have forgotten or buried? Have you experienced moments when you already knew the answer to something but don’t know how you knew?
The aim is to make discovering and exploring yourself the new normal.
Explorers Experiment
Have you ever suddenly noticed something about yourself that was probably there for years, but you'd never really seen it before?
For example :
"I realised I always say yes before I think.“
"I realised I hate being rushed.“
"I realised I actually love doing that.“
“I realised that my first answer was always ‘No’ to give myself time to think”.
Way-Marker 6 : Carrying the Lantern Forward
Explorers Experiment
Take one ordinary thing to become more aware of, or notice more over the next few days or weeks.
You are not going to change it, improve it, or fix it. Just notice.
For example:
"I'm going to notice what happens in my body when someone asks me to do something.“ or
"I'm going to notice how often I reach for my phone.” or
"I'm going to notice what happens when I say yes or no."
If you want to, note down what you notice or become aware of within yourself. How does your body feel when you become aware of something?
As you start to find out who you are, who your true self is, you shine brighter. Becoming self aware is asking you to shine the light inwards, so you can shine your light outwards.
The aim is to ask yourself "What would it be like to keep noticing?“.
