11:11 Waves Blog 66: Unseen

Weekly ideas to stimulate reflection, inspire new possibilities and encourage new ways of doing and being.

1. Test the water

This week’s word is: Unseen

The word "unseen" refers to something not seen or observed, typically implying that it is hidden, invisible, or not directly perceptible by the senses.

The origin of the word "unseen" comes from the Old English components: "un-", a prefix meaning "not-" and "seen", which is the past participle of "see". Thus, "unseen" literally translates to "not seen". The term "seen" derives from the Old English "seon", which means to look at, to see, or to observe.

What is your definition of unseen and how do you relate to it? Discuss the question here.

2. Experience the initial wave

To broaden your perspective, take few minutes to read the following thoughts and notice what comes up for you.

I.

Nothing is hidden, but much is unseen.

II.

"The unseen is generally taken for granted, because it is invisible, yet it is precisely here, in the invisible, where we must look for the essence of things." Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

III.

In many Indigenous cultures, the unseen world is a profoundly integral aspect of daily life. The unseen world is often conceived as a realm that coexists alongside the physical world. For Indigenous peoples, this unseen realm provides a framework for understanding the interconnections between all forms of life and the environment. It guides ethical behavior, communal responsibilities, and personal growth.

The unseen world is a vital source of knowledge, wisdom, and identity, deeply influencing how community members relate to each other and to their environment. This concept fosters a respect for nature, the land and its creatures and underlines the belief that the visible world cannot be fully understood or respected without acknowledging the unseen forces that shape it.

3. Dive deep

To deepen your awareness and spark new discoveries, this week I invite you to reflect on the following question: How might your understanding of reality change if you paid more attention to the unseen rather than the visible?

4. Ride your radiant wave

This week I invite you to take few minutes and engage in this short practice which will help you connect with and explore the unseen elements of life.

1. Begin by finding a comfortable and quiet place.

2. Close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths.

3. Open your eyes and choose an object or a personal item around you.

4. Focus on this item and consider the unseen aspects of the object: its history, the materials it is made from, the labour that created it, the natural forces that shaped it, its journey to you etc.

5. Close your eyes and reflect on the connections this object has to places, people and experiences that are beyond visible. Allow these thoughts and images to flow freely, observing without judgment the unseen forces at work.

6. After few minutes, take a moment to ask yourself how acknowledging the unseen can change your perception of the world around you and set an intention to remain aware of the unseen in your daily life.