“Phenomenological” refers to a philosophical approach that focuses on the study of human experience from the first-person perspective. It originates from the field of phenomenology, a philosophical movement primarily founded by Edmund Husserl in the early 20th century. The goal of phenomenology is to describe phenomena (things as they appear to consciousness) in the way they are experienced, without preconceived notions or theoretical interpretations. It emphasizes subjective experience, perception, and the meaning things have in our experience, rather than objective, external realities. For example, in phenomenology, if you were observing a flower, you would focus not on the scientific or objective facts about the flower but on your experience of seeing, smelling, or touching the flower — the “lived experience” of it. In a broader sense, “phenomenological” is often used to describe a method or approach that values the direct and conscious experience of events, relationships, or objects.
Perceiving what you truly see, not what you think you see
Phenomenological systemic observation is about perceiving purely what is present, free from beliefs and assumptions.
Phenomenology (from the Ancient Greek phainómenon, ‘the visible’, ‘appearance’ and lógos, ‘reason’, ‘study’) is a philosophical movement that arose at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century. It focuses on the direct and intuitive experience of phenomena and seeks to derive the essential properties of experiences and the essence of what is perceived. It is an approach free from preconceived notions and from theories that attempt to causally link phenomena.
Stepping out of the shadow of the mind
What do you truly perceive? And what is veiled behind a mist of desires and attachments? Can you set aside your beliefs and opinions and be open to what is actually happening? Reality is raw. The mind distorts that reality to soften pain. We continuously weave stories around painful experiences to make them bearable. In English, this is beautifully expressed as to reason away. We justify, defend, and sugarcoat. We have become masters in concealing the truth. The mind can deceive you greatly, creating layers of stories over reality. And those stories? We’ve come to believe them. So, how do you cut through them with common sense?
Systemic observation
Phenomenological observation is also known as systemic observation and is used in family constellations. A trained facilitator of systemic work uses this way of observing to look at reality. By mastering systemic observation, you can train yourself to see beyond the masks we wear.
Systemic observation involves observing with your body. Felt Sense is a method within systemic observation that teaches you to listen to the information your senses provide. What do you feel? What do you smell? What do you taste? What do you observe in someone’s posture? What energy do you sense? When you reach a hidden truth, you may get goosebumps. You can practice pure observation.
Practicing the senses
The most well-known senses are the classic five:
- Sight / Eyes / Seeing
- Hearing / Ears / Hearing
- Smell / Nose / Smelling
- Taste / Tongue / Tasting
- Touch / Skin / Feeling
Everyone is in constant interaction with the world around them. The anthroposophical doctor Albert Soesman describes in The 12 Senses several ways in which we connect with our environment. For example, what do you feel when you touch a stone? The stone itself or your own skin? How does balance work, when you feel fear of heights in a completely safe position?
Observation
Seeing things as they truly are means accepting the truth. What is true feels more powerful. As long as the mind deceives you, you cannot truly ‘stand in your power’. By improving your ability to observe, you learn to trust your own physical reactions to situations. Someone may tell you one thing, but if your senses tell you something different, you know it’s time to pay attention.