As human beings we have a companion – Observing Self.

Zen professor – Suziki writes:
“With awakening of conscience, the will is split into two: actor and observer. Conflict is inevitable, for the actor (self) wants to be free from limitations of the observing self (observer).”

Most of us recognized it. Some of us communicates and discourses with it. Observing self advises us on what we should do at any given instance and some times during our actions it may interfere to alter the course.

Goal of life is to minimize the role of observing self. “I am doing it” sense should be eliminated and replace it with “Right thing is being done” will bring you the ecstasy with no shame or no pride. Once we reach that state of doing things the observing self will be minimized or eliminated.

In a horse race the jockey has no time for the observing self during the race. The soldier in the middle of a war similarly has no observing self. They are doing their jobs with no observing self so they will do their best.

‘Fear of shame’ is at the heart of observing self. Once you learn a technique to analyze the actions and train yourself to do the right thing at any given time, there is no fear of shame and observing self will be minimized.