There is a Lakota Sioux parable that compares the crow to the eagle. This story speaks to the journey we all undergo in life, from being like the crow, darting around the forest floor, to becoming like the eagle, soaring above with clarity and perspective.
In the early stages of our lives, we are like the crow—quick, impulsive, and easily distracted. We move from one thing to the next without fully understanding the bigger picture. Even the smallest distractions can obscure our view, and we often become lost in the immediacy of whatever is right in front of us. In this phase, we are constantly reacting to the chaos around us, never truly taking the time to stop and understand the path we are on.
However, as we grow, we are given the opportunity to rise above these distractions, much like the eagle. With age and wisdom, we can begin to seek a higher perspective, one that allows us to see the world and our place in it more clearly. From this elevated view, we can recognize patterns, notice obstacles from a distance, and identify the paths ahead more easily.
When the world feels overwhelming and our journey seems unclear, it is easy to become consumed by the urgency of the moment. We can easily get caught in a cycle of reacting to one crisis after another, always feeling like we are running on the forest floor, never able to disengage. But it is precisely in these moments that it becomes most important to step back. To rise above. Like the eagle soaring in the sky, we must take a moment to detach and view the bigger picture of our lives with calm and clarity.
One of my favorite methods for gaining this perspective is a practice called Detached Observation. In this meditation, I pay attention to my thoughts, emotions, and sensations, but I do so from a distance—like an eagle surveying the landscape below. I observe without judgment, taking in the full scope of my inner experience without being swept away by it. This practice allows me to see my life and struggles with greater clarity, helping me understand that, while challenges may feel urgent up close, they are often part of a larger, more manageable pattern when viewed from a higher place.
The journey from crow to eagle is a metaphor for the growth we undergo as we gain wisdom and perspective. By learning to detach and observe from a distance, we can rise above the chaos and see our paths more clearly, navigating life with greater understanding and calm.
