# The witness {% embed url="" %} * **The Witness** is a way to step back and observe in social meditation. * You can **enter** the role by saying **"witnessing"** and/or by **muting yourself**. * You can **exit** by **unmuting** and rejoining the practice flow if/when ready. * In some practices, such as those that have a spontaneous order, you can stay silent without muting. * The witness role helps you **listen, observe, and be present** without speaking. * You can switch between witnessing and participating aloud anytime. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://the.socialmeditation.guide/orientation/the-witness.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.