Learnings of the League - Insight Sparks Transformation

The Fem League knows that insight is the beginning of transformation – but what does this mean, and how can we practice it???

When the word “insight” first appeared in written English hundreds of years ago it referred to inner vision or mental vision, to the mind’s eye as opposed to the physical eye. Insight was an understanding from within – something like an intuition – as opposed to an understanding or learning that came from outside. Nowadays we still use insight in this old way, and we’ve also expanded it to include vision in the other direction, as well: we say that we have “insight into” something, like a penetrating understanding into the nature or character of something or someone else. Our insight can move back and forth, inward and outward, illuminating both ourselves and others.???

We know that insight is the beginning of transformation. Real insights about ourselves and our predicaments allow us to take action, to evolve in the direction of our own design. Real insight is a form of inspiration, and like inspiration, we can’t force it or control it. We never know what’s going to bring about an insight, and sometimes insights just don’t come, even when we need them most.?

But one thing is for sure: our attitude makes insight more frequent, or more rare. Our mindset can encourage or discourage insight. Our daily practices can make us more or less inclined to the kind of insights that change our lives. And the company we keep makes a big difference.??

One of the best ways to keep the door open for insight is mindful, curious self-observation. If we can develop an ability to step a little bit outside of ourselves, and witness our own habits of thought and behaviour from an objective point of view, we might see things we’d like to change. But this is no small accomplishment! Such objective self-awareness is an entry-level Jedi mind trick.?

Fortunately, the main thing that makes it easier also happens to be a second crucial step in making space for insight: that is, community. Insight moves in both directions, after all: inward and outward, illuminating both ourselves and others. When we give our attention to conversations with people who are actively practising this kind of self-observation, and when we can hear others share openly about their own insights and transformations, we’ll feel ourselves begin to resonate. We’ll begin to see ourselves in the witnessing of others. We’ll find that our inner vision tends to clear and sharpen. And before we know it, we may see ourselves, our limitations and our possibilities in an entirely different light that shows us new paths forward.?

If insight is the beginning of transformation, and if observation is the grounds for insight, then a safe, nourishing community with others who are committed to sensitive observation tills the soil of our minds and hearts. Then, when the seed of an insight drops, there’s fertile space for it to take root and grow.??