Learning to See Ourselves: Reflections from Self Observation by Red Hawk
I recently finished reading Self Observation by Red Hawk, and it has stayed with me in that quiet, insistent way that genuinely transformative books do.
Red Hawk’s central teaching is both simple and deeply demanding: to grow as human beings, we must learn to observe ourselves—honestly, consistently, and without judgment.
Self-observation, as Red Hawk describes it, is the practice of watching our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations as they arise, without immediately reacting to them or getting swept away by their momentum. It means noticing the small, habitual ways we move through life—our defenses, our postures, our tone of voice, the subtle tightening in the body when we feel threatened, and even the internal narratives that drive our behavior. Rather than trying to change anything in the moment, the work is to simply see it clearly.
This sounds straightforward, but it takes real humility and courage. Most of us spend our lives on automatic pilot, identifying with whatever we think or feel. Red Hawk reminds us that there is freedom in stepping back and witnessing ourselves from a place of curiosity.
When we observe instead of react, we interrupt old patterns. We create space. And in that space, we begin to reclaim our inner lives.
As an integrative health and wellness coach, I see this work as foundational. Self-observation is not meant to be self-critique—it is a path toward awareness, strength, wisdom, and maturity. It gives us the ability to respond rather than react, to recognize where we are caught, and to gently guide ourselves toward healthier choices. It deepens emotional resilience, strengthens our relationships, and helps us live with greater integrity.
Ultimately, self-observation reconnects us with our agency. It reminds us that transformation is possible—not by force, but by seeing clearly. Self-observation helps us return to our inner lives with honesty and steadiness. And in a time when the world feels increasingly fragmented, this quiet inner discipline feels more essential than ever.
