00:00:06 Archita: There are moments in life when everything looks fine on the surface. Work. Relationships, routines. Yet something inside feels quietly unfinished. Almost as if life is happening, but not fully alive. Today, we are exploring what it means to move from simply functioning to living with clarity, connection and a sense of all.

00:00:30 Archita: Welcome to sacred Harmony, a space where we explore consciousness, healing, and the deeper rhythms that bring mind, body and spirit into alignment. I'm your host, and today I'm joined by Richard Smith, author of A Phenomenal Life. Awaken Your Clarity, Connection, and or an existential coach and associate professor at the University of Hertfordshire. In this episode, we will explore this book and the framework he calls the orbits of consciousness, and how this model helps us understand where we are living from and what it takes to move into a more awakened, meaningful life. So, Richard, welcome to sacred Harmony. It's a pleasure to have you today.

00:01:16 Richard Smith: Oh, it's a pleasure to be here. Thank you Arteta.

00:01:20 Archita: Amazing. So Richard I'm really looking forward to you know dive into this conversation with you. So yeah let's not waste any time and get into it. So Richard, before we, uh, step into frameworks and concepts, I'm curious, uh, what was happening in your own life or work that made you realize that we needed a new way to talk about consciousness and lived experience?

00:01:48 Richard Smith: Oh, thank you for that question. Yeah. So, um, I think, you know, we, uh, uh, I think I describe myself as a, uh, curious observer of, of human humanity and humans and people around me and how other people believe. And I've always had this, this drive to try and understand, you know, why do people do the things they do? You know, why they act and do the things they. And of course, you know, in order to understand other people, we We have to understand ourselves. So there's a lot of observation of of our I mean, you know, we all notice our own experience. Of course, if we pay attention to it, I think we can learn quite a lot from that. And I did notice that there's at times that, um, I felt I observed in other people. It certainly observed in myself times when we just feel very contracted and we don't have many options and we don't feel like there's much room to, to move, you know, mentally. And then other times when we feel as if there is far more available to us, there's much more expanse and much, many more options available. And yeah, there's a lot more clarity around. And I think, you know, in my work coaching with other people, um, I've seen that and I've seen the transitions that people move. So it started me thinking about, you know, what is going on, you know, in our, in our what's going on in our consciousness there where, you know, we can go from these, these tight spaces into these great expansive ones as well. So yeah, it came about through a fascination with other people, but also deep observation of my own experience.

00:03:24 Archita: So your fascination and your curiosity led you to discover this journey. And that is I think that's pretty much amazing. And like you said, I think, yeah, I mean, if in order to understand other people, we have to first understand ourselves. And I'm really glad that, uh, you know, you started this journey and that led you here today. Um, so, Richard. Yeah. Um, many people assume that consciousness is something abstract, uh, like philosophical, spiritual, or reserved for special moments. But from your perspective, what's the biggest misconception people have about consciousness in everyday life?

00:04:07 Richard Smith: Oh, that's a wonderful question. I think, um, The biggest misconception people have about consciousness, they just think it's that they take it for granted. I think it's that they don't. They don't notice that it's consciousness which is bringing them everything. It's everything that they see, everything that they hear, everything that they feel is all created in consciousness. And and I'm very careful to use the word created there because, you know, our brain sits in a very dark skull. It doesn't have hasn't got any connections to the outside other than the, you know, the optical nerve and the the hearing and the, you know, and the nerves on our skin. So there's nothing actually from the outside comes in. It's only our own electrical impulses. So we create the world around us in our brains. Um, and that is so everything that we experience is created by our brain and our consciousness. So I think, you know, when we when we start to think of everything, you know, everything that happens is about consciousness. And so when we can be aware of what's going on rather than being stuck in it and experiencing what's going on, we can take a step back and have a look at what's going on from the outside, almost from above. Get a bit meta to it and like, you know, like you say, when you're thinking about your thinking, you you become above it and you're thinking about how you're experiencing, then that gives you a whole nother dimension above that. And I think that's that's where I think people the misconception is people get stuck in, in their certain conscious state as if it's the only one available, when really there are others. There are others that are just less than a millimetre away which are equally available.

00:05:48 Archita: Yeah, yeah. And wow, that that really made me realise how important consciousness is and how differently we all see it. I think what's really absent from a lot of our minds is the awareness about it. And yeah, definitely. Uh, but Richard, how How does that misunderstanding quietly shape the way people approach success, relationships, or even their own inner struggles?

00:06:18 Richard Smith: Oh yes. So I think the framework I won't come on to it just yet, but as you said, the framework came about really as a way of, um, where we can recognize in others because we have so much of our life is lived in relationships and so much of how our consciousness expands and contracts is through relationship with others, but also we can sometimes sense in ourselves. As I talk about like this, how much capacity have we got for, for for what's going on, you know, in any moment? Um, and so I think when we can see that with other people and we get a sense of that with ourselves, then absolutely. You know, we can talk about success or relationships and things like that. Sometimes we find we're very much got, uh, I would call our defensive defense mechanisms working. This may be through the central nervous system. It may be through patterns that we've learned. It may be through past trauma. Um, and these things can, can, can lock us in a very defensive mode sometimes if we're at, you know, when capacity is low. And this gives us very few options. And sometimes our thinking is not very good. Sometimes we we, we really need we need some space and we need some time to, to sort of find ways to try to get some sort of stabilization. And then later on when we, when we are in a good place, maybe, you know, things are going well, maybe we're in a state of flow and then we can start to really make some bigger explorations of what, what we can do and the capacity we have until we can start to integrate some real learning. And I think, you know, success comes through, not through not failing. It comes through learning with the failures and and believing that success is still available to us.

00:08:06 Archita: Absolutely, absolutely. And like you just said, I think that really resonates with a lot of us here about how, you know, um, success is not about, um, failures. It's about not learning anything from the failures. That's that's an amazing saying. So, yeah. So rather than being something distant or mystical, consciousness is actually shaping how we meet every ordinary moment, often without us realizing it. And that that feels like an important reframe for me. So thank you for reframing it in, you know, such an, um, understanding way. Uh, so, Richard, in a in a Phenomenal Life, you introduce the idea of the orbits of consciousness. And let's stay with that for a moment. What do these orbits represent at a deeper level?

00:08:57 Richard Smith: Oh, that's a that's a really nice question. Thank you. So I guess at a deeper level They represent operating states that that we spend time in and then certainly not things for which we can we can self-identify or offer diagnosis or anything like that. But but yeah, there are states that we, we travel through and spend time in and then move from. Um, and within that, the state that we're in, the different orbit. It comes back to that, you know, how much what's what's working for us then what can we do? How how how much capacity have we got for, um, for for learning, for growth, for information, for problem solving, for pattern recognition and these things. Um, and when when we realize that these are always cycling, we always we always feel as if we're in the, the normal, the same state, even when we are, you know, struggling with something, we it's just a human nature to think I will always feel like this. And then other times when we're blissfully happy, you know, we think, oh, okay, this is the way to be. This is how I shall be for the rest of time. And of course, it's not like that because we do cycle all around. It's a human human state to be like that. Um, it's what we have to put up with, which I think is, is what makes it such a such a rich and wonderful existence.

00:10:22 Archita: That that makes so much sense. And I know that really puts things into perspective, for us now. But, uh, what tends to keep people stuck in a particular orbit, even when they sense that there is more available to them?

00:10:39 Richard Smith: Yeah. Well, the things that keep people stuck. So I've mentioned already about the, the defense mechanisms, um, which, which come from often come from our unconscious. Um, but they could simply be the reactions, the instant reactions. So, you know, when people, you see people snap back after a comment which they didn't like. Or you see someone react angrily and you know. So yeah, these defense mechanisms are they're there to serve us. You know, we've we've been probably pained in the past. We've probably suffered. And the defense mechanisms are trying to protect us, but sometimes it's useful for us to to watch what is happening and then think, actually, is this defense mechanism really serving me? Because all it's really doing is keeping me trapped, keeping me trapped in these patterns. And perhaps there's something more. And so defense mechanisms, you know, past traumas, you know, these these are things which can be worked through. Um, and yeah, so I think it comes down to trying to stabilize ourselves and trying to just take a little pause and just try to notice what is happening. And, and asking ourselves, do you know, is coming up with a correct response is what's the best way to react, to respond to what is happening right now? Do I need to get angry? Do I need to get irritated? Do I need to shout at somebody or should I? Is there a better way? So yeah, a lot of that. And that's just one example. I mean, there's lots of other ways we keep these, these, these defensive patterns, um, keeping us restricted at lower levels of consciousness, I would say.

00:12:12 Archita: Um, so, uh, so these defense mechanisms are, uh, you know, I think they were built gradually over time, uh, in order to protect ourselves. I that's what I get from, you know, what you're saying. And. Yeah. So basically to, um, uh, be not stuck in a particular orbit, we have to first deal with those things, and. Yeah, that that totally makes sense. Um, so it also sounds like these orbits aren't about hierarchy or judgment, but about patterns of attention and meaning where our awareness naturally circles and returns. And that's that's an amazing reframe.

00:12:56 Richard Smith: Yes, yes, I agree with that. Absolutely. They're not. It's not about judgment there at all. It's just about the what we have available to us at that time. And we cycle. We're going to cycle. We're going to come in and out of these things. And sometimes when we're a little bit more aware of where we're at, sometimes it'll just give us a little bit more empowered to to choose the orbit which we want to spend more time in.

00:13:21 Archita: Absolutely. And I never really thought about it in that way. But it also makes this concept of consciousness, um, you know, more, uh, comprehensible for all of us. So, yeah. And now, uh, now I'm curious about, uh, how this shows up practically like, what does it look like when someone is living primarily in a narrower orbit of consciousness versus a more expansive one?

00:13:50 Richard Smith: I should say, because remember, it's an operating state. It's not a way of being forever. Um, and so when they're in that operating state, they, they it's, it's they feeling very vulnerable. They're feeling they may be feeling grief and shame and self-loathing and, um, you know, some of these, some of these really not very nice, like, emotional states, which will keep them trapped there. And they start ruminating. And the thinking isn't quality thinking, it's just repeating the same cycles in their mind over and over again. There's no room. There's no capacity for trying to explore other options. And it feels very like gravitational that so that it's quite hard to get out of that. And I think when you compare that to people who are in a much more expansive state, so they're they don't have that. They they still will have, you know, I think the best it's more resilient so they can recover quicker from, you know, things which might set other people backwards. You know something that happens, they'll recover very quickly, and they'll find this calmness and this ability to to think and to make better connections and to and to see things a lot more clearly. And that way they can respond better. And it means that they can integrate and learn more things and hold, hold almost, um, conflicting bits of information at the same time. You know what we call these paradoxes? You can hold them and they can still make sense, because sometimes things that don't look as if they can both be true, can both be true. So yeah, it's a lot easier to to sit with that sort of uncertainty when you're operating from a higher state. And because the defense mechanisms are pretty much distant and far, far away and certainly not having any influence whatsoever.

00:15:37 Archita: Hmm. So, uh, it requires a lot of self healing, uh, emotional healing to go from the, you know, um, narrow orbit of consciousness to a more expansive one. So, yeah, that that, uh, you know, it makes things clearer now. But, Richard, are there subtle signs like emotional, relational, or even physical that indicate which orbit we are currently inhabiting?

00:16:07 Richard Smith: I think we when we, we know for ourselves, um, yeah. Emotionally we will feel, um, under pressure and possibly, uh, feeling very heavy and constricted. Um, physically. Yeah. Looking, uh. You know, when when somebody isn't, they're not looking bright. They're not looking around them. They're not they're not smiling very much. Or if they are, it looks like it's not very, you know, authentic. And so, yeah, you know, people in those states or states, they're very tight states. Uh, yeah. Not not the not great company to be with. But of course, when they are our friends or our family or our colleagues, you know, people, this is what we are. We're relational beings. So we do reach out to those people, and everyone does it naturally and and hopefully that, you know, we'll find a way to give them some sort of stability in their, um, in their state and then then start to give them a few options. And often they need to find those, you know, a bit of room themselves away out themselves. But yeah, we can help them sort of like try to give them a little bit of space to explore other options. And, and I think one thing you mentioned there, which I absolutely agree with you, but also it's the the self healing is important and consequently the healing of others, but also it's the compassion that we need for other people. And that comes naturally when we see people who are struggling. But also we must remember to have self compassion as well, compassion for ourselves, because we're going to spend time. And you know, when a when our consciousness is constricted and we have to we have to accept that, and we have to be compassionate about that and not to blame ourselves and to and to understand that there's going to be there's going to be a better, better time. Um, when we when we get into to change to a to a higher orbit, I call them higher orbits only because it's, you know, it's I wouldn't say it's a higher, better place. It's just a lot freer and a lot more options out there. And it's a better operating state to be in. But yeah.

00:18:08 Archita: Yeah, definitely. Uh, and I think you can just look at someone and, um, know that this person is, um, not in a, you know, higher orbit of consciousness. I think it's all about the aura. So, yes, I, I get it. And what I'm also hearing is that our inner orbit quietly shapes our sense of time, depth and aliveness, not through dramatic events, but through how present we feel in our own lives, both emotionally and physically. And that makes a lot of sense. Um, so, Richard, for listeners who feel intrigued but also overwhelmed, where does one begin? What are some gentle ways to start shifting or expanding our orbit of consciousness?

00:18:54 Richard Smith: Oh, where does one begin? I think one begins with the the self-compassion. Um, the one begins. It begins with, um, understanding where we are and having an idea that that we know what it feels like to be at a different state of consciousness, because we've all cycled through the orbits, like countless times. and when we find ourselves in one of those states of, yeah, difficulty, anxiety, worry, grief, you know, these are these are natural human things and we're going to go through those. But we must remember that they're not going to last forever. They're simply not going to last forever. And we can start to look at, you know, we can if we can stabilize ourselves, we can start to give ourselves a little bit of a pause, a little bit of that self compassion and understanding, find a little bit of space and then possibly, you know, maybe it's just through, just go for a walk, just, you know, one thing at a time. Slowly climb our way up to a higher orbit because it is always worthwhile doing. And, um, and that's yeah, we can we can try to help ourselves, try to heal ourselves out of difficult situations. Um, and I think, I think just an idea that that the orbits are there and that these other orbits are available to us, they are just that close. They are just, you know, millimeters away from us. They are accessible. Um, if only we can just find our way to them.

00:20:28 Archita: Wow, that that advice really feels very practical as well as grounded. And, um, and that's that feels really important because it's less about striving to become someone else and more about deepening our relationship with how we already experience the world. So yeah, thank you for sharing that, Richard.

00:20:50 Richard Smith: Yeah, you're.

00:20:51 Archita: Very.

00:20:51 Richard Smith: Welcome. You put it very well there. Thank you very much.

00:20:55 Archita: Thank you. Uh, so, Richard, uh, as we already know, growth isn't linear. So when people slip back into old patterns or feel disconnected again, how do you suggest they relate to those moments without self-judgment?

00:21:10 Richard Smith: Yes. How do we do that without self-judgment? I think sometimes we, uh, a bit like I said before, um, when we become observers of our conscious experience as well as experiences of our conscious experience, and sometimes we can look at ourselves from a, from a bit of afar and say, ah, there's me. I've done that again. I've slipped into that pattern. That's okay. That was going to happen sooner or later. I've seen it. That's okay. And by doing that, we give ourselves a bit of a distance from it. Um, you know, we're not that behavior. We're. No, we're not that person that snaps back at a friend and then wishes we hadn't later on. You know, that was just a behavior which was a defensive pattern, which is a remnant of our past. Maybe we'll deal with it another day. Um, but it's shown itself today, so. Hey. Hello. And then, um, yeah, we can just again look at ourselves with just a little bit more patience and compassion and say, okay, that's happened, but that isn't actually who I am. And when we start to create that distance between our reactive behaviors and ourself, we realize they don't belong to us. They are just they're just imposters in that we take it around with us. They're part of our part of our baggage, as you call it. You know, the the part of the things we just carry around for no reason. And maybe one day, if we're really lucky through a little bit of self work, through a little bit of reflection, we may be able to put some of that those things down and never, never have them again, which would be a wonderful, wonderful thing to aim for. But, you know, we're humans and so, um, how realistic that is for everybody. But yeah. So it's I think if one thing we can do our teachers to just to be aware of that, we can sometimes put that distance between our behaviors and who we are and realize it is not us, it's not us. I think that's the most useful thing for us.

00:23:03 Archita: Yes, yes. And that feels really important. And also brings me to when you said that, you know, the orbits of consciousness is not a permanent state, and it keeps on changing in our life. So we cannot be in one orbit forever for the rest of our life. And that makes sense. I mean, um, definitely, uh, it's it's it seems like the work isn't about permanently staying elevated, but about learning to return again and again with kindness and awareness. Also, just like how you said, it's not about failures, but about not learning anything from failures. So once people do that, I think, yeah, I think they can, um, you know, have a better relationship with themselves and their consciousness. So. Amazing. And thank you, Richard, for this amazing conversation we had today. And, uh, you know, it was really reflective and I have learned a lot from you. I'm sure our listeners have too. So, Richard, for listeners who want to explore your work further, where can they find a phenomenal life and learn more about your coaching or academic work?

00:24:15 Richard Smith: Oh, thank you very much. So, uh, the best website I have is, um, w-w-w phenomenal life. Co.Uk and on that, there's a little bit about me. There's the there's a diagram of the orbits of consciousness. Um, and there's a little bit more about the book, um, and a few book reviews on there as well. And yeah, I mean, I'd really be welcome. Anyone to come along, have a little exploration if they want to message me. I'm very happy to send them some more information as well. Um, it's you know, this is something which I think is benefits. Benefits all of us and benefits also, you know, my work with coaching, coaching because I really feel it helps inform, um, working with other people, but also, yeah, very much working on ourselves as well. And I think, I think that can offer real value to people. I like to think it could offer value to people. So thank you so much for this opportunity of coming on sacred Harmony. And I'm very, very grateful for the opportunity.

00:25:17 Archita: Well, the pleasure is all ours, and definitely I'll make sure all the details are available in our show listing, uh, so that the listeners can feel free to reach out to you whenever and however they want. So for anyone listening who feels a quiet emptiness or restlessness beneath a full life, I want to ask you this. What might it be like to ask, which orbit am I living from right now, and what is it asking of me? Think about it. A phenomenal life isn't about adding more. It's about inhabiting our experience more fully with clarity, connection and all. Thank you for joining us on sacred Harmony. If today's conversation resonated, I invite you all to sit with it. Notice where your attention naturally orbits and what opens when you meet your life with a little more presence. Until next time. May you move through your days in deeper harmony with yourself and with the world around you.