Self Observation: The Awakening of Conscience: An Owner's Manual

by Red Hawk

This book is an in-depth examination of the much needed process of 'self'-study known as self observation. We live in an age where the "attention function" in the brain has been badly damaged by TV and computers - up to 90 percent of the public under age 35 suffers from attention-deficit disorder! This book offers the most direct, non-pharmaceutical means of healing attention dysfunction. The methods presented here are capable of restoring attention to a fully functional and powerful tool for success in life and relationships. This is also an age when humanity has lost its connection with conscience. When humanity has poisoned the Earth's atmosphere, water, air and soil, when cancer is in epidemic proportions and is mainly an environmental illness, the author asks: What is the root cause? And he boldly answers: failure to develop conscience! Self-observation, he asserts, is the most ancient, scientific, and proven means to develop this crucial inner guide to awakening and a moral life. This book is for the lay-reader, both the beginner and the advanced student of self observation. No other book on the market examines this practice in such detail. There are hundreds of books on self-help and meditation, but almost none on self-study via self observation, and none with the depth of analysis, wealth of explication, and richness of experience which this book offers.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology, Spirituality, Philosophy, Personal Development, Mental Health

162 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Red Hawk was the Hodder Fellow at Princeton University (1992-93) and currently a full professor at U. of Arkansas, Monticello. Author of 5 collections of poetry, he has been published in The Atlantic, Poetry, and Kenyon Review, and others journals. Red Hawk has given readings with Allen Ginsberg, Rita Dove, Miller Williams, Tess Gallagher, and Coleman Barks, and more than 70 solo-readings in the U.S. He has practiced self-observation for over 30 years, under the guidance of the Gurdjieff Society of Arkansasa, meditation master Osho Rajneesh, and spiritual teacher, Lee Lozowick.

Reviews

[linds j]

Recommended as reading material in one of Elena Brower's yoga workshops, it took me over half a year to get through this. Even though it's short, this is not a page turner; rather a hearty resource to turn to in small, thoughtful doses (and a highlighter if you're like me).

The manual is packed with detailed explanations of self observation, awareness and consciousness I know I'll reflect back on, finding new insights for years to come.

Catching the tendencies, habits and wanderings of our minds is an ever-evolving process and Red Hawk teaches us that watching and accepting it all without judgment is the most effective way to live from the heart.

[Ania · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped taking this man seriously when I got to the poem where he mentions his girlfriend with 'her brown hair almost down to her gorgeous butt'. Urgh.

[Michael Devlin · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is vague, misleading and not particularly stimulating or enlightening. The author makes comments to "observe yourself without judgement", which plays as a catchphrase throughout the book; assuring you that you'll be fine if you do this. Some might argue he's basically advocating mindfulness here. There are certainly those of us who need to do more than "observe without judgement" and tackle our inner demons constructively through methods such as self-enquiry, not just through merely observing. Some examples would be giving up our attachments, using Byron Katie's "The Work" or The Sedona method. I would seriously advise anyone to pick up any Alan Watts book over this.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a book I will continue to read and re-read. Loved it! Haven't highlighted a book like this since my school days! An amazing read and for certain a human's Owner's Manual. One must be willing to own and work at the practice of Self Observation to truly benefit from what Red Hawk offers in this book.

[Michãel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great insights in this book. If a book changes my world view or I find myself thinking of it again and again, I will rate it a five. This book did both of those things , but I am unable to give it a five given that I hated his writing style (either I got used to it or it was worse in the beginning chapters) and that I hated his repetitive explanations in the last few chapters.

[Aria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf on p. 10. This is re-hashed Eastern stuff, that is better absorbed elsewhere. His word choices are also not the best.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece. If I was asked to recommend just one personal development / meditation book, this would be it.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know this is not the last time that I will read this book, and I know I didn't understand as much as I will or in the same way as I will be able to in years to come. But what I do know is that Red Hawk is right, my mind/ego/multitude of "i's" or whatever you want to call it, is refusing to do the Work, and I believe I am conscious enough to know that and stop it from happening or find a way to Work anyways, but I still find myself coming up with new excuses not to, new ones that I can't identify as excuses and I let rule my life.
I don't know what to do, or how to help with that, all I know right now, is that making a conscious effort to observe without judgment (sounds WAAAAAY easier than it is) is all I can do right now, the only thing I understand will take me closer to the Work. I know I will suffer, and I know I'll want to bolt more than once, but I also know there's nothing else I can do that will help.
This book is great for anyone that is ready to work for their happiness and fulfillment, if you are not ready to work, then you must deal with the consequences, just like we all do.

[Anthony O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some solid practical advice. Stay calm, cool and collected. Rather than agitated and distracted. Meditate. Develop conscience, compassion, empathy. Avoid self-delusion and fantasy. Sure. Obvious enough. Why wouldn't you?

But. Warning. Saturated with dogma and religious belief of a particular kind easily recognized. Fantasy of the worst kind. A rehash of Guirdieff, Ouspensky systems which were in turn a rehash of earlier mystical belief systems. Smug and Arrogant self-assertions of depth and wisdom. I just know, directly, by intuition, I feel it. Because I am 'awake' and special. Must be nice to think that. Or is it? Just cosy smug self-delusion really. I'd rather take the red pill, any day of the week. Over the tranquilizing bliss of the blue ones.

They always say It is all beyond reason and language. Do you see the fundamental dishonesty of saying this AND expounding intricate ontological/epistomogical/psychological/ethical theories - even if admittedly of the soft and fluffy kind. It is a move aimed to pre-empt them from criticism or any need at all for evidence or proof. Ah, it's ineffable.

If you really believe it's all beyond reason and language then stop talking.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. It was a recommendation of Dr. Nicole LePera, a very enlightened therapist whose content really resonates with me. Unfortunately, this one was a fail for me.

I gave the book 2 stars because there were some mini golden nuggets within the pages but, overall it was quite poorly written and felt like a first draft rather than a published book.

This book could have used A LOT of refinement. There were tons of syntactical errors and illogical and contradictory statements. It was quite scattered, almost as if someone was just pouring their every thought on these pages with no flow or cohesion.

In addition to the gaps in flow and syntax, the author attempts to use empirically founded laws of physics to describe abstract and existential ideas and this did not do its intended job of supporting the author's position.

I may try another of the author's books, hoping this one was just a miss, but this is one I just can't recommend.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Mr. Red Hawk for the work you've put in explaining the Work. I'm deeply grateful. A very simple and clear owner's manual indeed. A very useful complement to the Vipassana pratice to me.
And I do like the style, direct, simple and not devoid of humor !
And yes, repetitive on some probably key notions.... but then, how many times do I have to be told something to comprehend ?
Isn't patient and persistent repetition part of the Work ?
In short, instructive and easy to read even for someone whose mother tongue is not english 😉 (Hadn't see it had been translated...). To be read and re-read.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is similar in its message to works by Eckhart Tolle and Sandy Newbigging, however, it is somewhat more esoteric in its language. If I had not had a good grounding in the concepts of mindfulness, presence and being, it would have probably been hard to understand. So I wouldn't recommend this as a book for beginners in the study of mindfulness. You can find more understandable explanations by reading the two authors above.

[Jason Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an exquisite book outlining the functions of the human bio-psychological machine and how to observe them. Red Hawk is a master practitioner and offers deep insights and practical tools to become free of the habits in which we inhabit. I have recommended this book to dozens of people and return to it again and again for another layer of revelation. A beautiful gift to your true self.

[Rebecca]

this book teaches similar things as meditation/mindfulness and The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

2009. Excellent book on spiritual maturity and how to get there. Author is from the Lakota tribe but incorporates wisdom from several traditions and makes them his own. This book is spiritual but not from any one religion. A bit repetitive in places but still well worth reading.

[Karel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best book I've read. A must!

[Suleyman Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

never can you go back into unconsciousness with a clear conscience … the work is clear...

[Lozano · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book sucks

[Carrie LeAnne]

Available at FPL. Read for CYS 500 hr training

[Heidi Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. So clear and in depth. A perfect manual for those who are on the path.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 40-50% of the book was excellent. The quality seemed to suffer a bit towards the end, but overall this was still a very good, insightful, and eye-opening read.

[dp · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have to admit, it was ass and I hated it. But a number of the people quoted within it are probably worth reading

[Afonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible, what a manual.
To read and reread.

[Christopher T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this a while ago and just getting caught up here. But I enjoyed this and probably should go back and read it again.

[Dean Paradiso · Rating 3 out of 5]

I both love and hate this book.

First the good points- the author seems to be speaking from experience, and seems to have given his own unique account of many Fourth Way concepts, as well as the main focus on Self-Observation. The practical advice to use the body/sensations with self-observation is useful, and his principles are good, common sense material. Someone who had read all of the original Fourth Way material would likely get something from this book.
The insistence on not changing any of the observations is great advice also, essential, and not really spelled out in much Fourth Way material.

Now, the bad- there's just too much theologising and waffle throughout the book, even though it is small. Talk of the Earth being a school or kindergarten for the soul, with people here to 'learn lessons' is trite. Talk of the soul being an 'angelic being' from the 'angelic world' which descends 'into the body' is pure theory, and might suit some, but is certainly not Fourth Way material. After each chapter, the poetry, although original, was completely unrelated to the prior chapter(?!) And lastly, and probably a little concerning from my POV is that the author equates Self-Remembering with self-observation while being attentive to sensations in the body. This isn't Self-Remembering. This is still self-observation. Just observing body sensations or going around throughout the day while being centred in the body or on some 'point' (such as the belly) still isn't self-remembering-- it's useful no doubt, but won't bring about a complete gaining of impressions of the _whole_ self. There's really no distinction here between these methods and any mindfulness practice one can pick up from a community centre meditation seminar. A little more directed practical advice and/or exercises on the topic could have come in useful.

Overall, still worth a read for those interested in the topic.. and I maintain my 4/5 rating.

[Scott Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provocative mix of Buddhist thought with the slightly world-weary awareness of a western mind. A good reminder that we are/have been prisoners of our habits, emotions and repetitive thoughts (the little "i"s), and the only pathway out is by doing "The Work" - self awareness, naked, painful self-observation, to the point of detached observation. Only then can we ponder the big "I" - the true self, outside of the box, the Ultimate Reality. Paradoxically, one must focus the mind to quiet the mind before we can allow the higher self (beyond mind) to subtly reveal itself to us.
This is a quick and enjoyable read, but - careful - if your attention drifts, you can get lost in the eastern mist. Red Hawk balances his exposé of "the labyrinth" with some earthy, witty and sometimes downright funny poems that end each chapter, illuminating concepts from a completely different (and frequently self-deprecating) perspective. After all, he's just like us.
Now, excuse me, I need to get back to "The Work" and resume my meditation practice!

[Aggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to be more present and awake to life...

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for anyone who has trouble with the mechanics of standard meditation. Written in a clear, relateable manner, and interspersed with relevant passages of the author's poetry.

[Blair_metal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Work of objective Self-Observation presented in this book is challenging, but ultimately worth revisiting over and over.

[Jer]

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