How Aware And Conscious Am I?
As is, as one thinking human, you and I are aware of many things. As is, as one egoistic human, you and I feel insulted when others say we lack the sense of awareness. At a glance, all humans – and they include you and I, tend to be self aware. We can think. We feel. We act and react accordingly. We would say we know what is good or bad and what is right or wrong.
In short, we claim that we are aware of ourselves. We would probably admit - intellectually and with experiences - we understand the world around us. Humans pride with having the sense of awareness which allows each one of us – including you and I - to perceive, process, act and react to our surroundings, based on what we think we know. Our pride would also say of what we know to be our sense of awareness that is filled with good guarded conscientious mindset.
However, the sense of awareness is usually a subjective experience which may be distorted, which can be biased. We are aware we need to be a good human but our consciousness makes us to forget, most times. An example, in order to be a good human being, we have to be conscious that we are living in a secular world where all humans are equal. We need to be nice to each other, be kind and be respectful albeit of our different languages, customs and cultures, races and religions. Sadly, this is not the case.
Our awareness is just one aspect of consciousness. Like the onion, awareness forms the most outer layer with consciousness at the deep end. Awareness is the ability to reflect but consciousness is the sum total from the conscious and the sub-conscious minds that raise awareness to another level. To be fully aware, it is important to understand the subtle intricacies on the Conscious Self. It is important to understand the language of the minds, both the Conscious and Sub-Conscious.
It is important I ask myself, ‘where is my level of awareness’? And, ‘how conscious and to what degree of consciousness do I have as a living human being’? I need to know and create the want to know it. I should not be living my life blindly only to be guided by the ego, misconception, intolerance and denial. Perspective is usually shaped by one’s experience which may lack understanding and, henceforth, a distorted projection on awareness and consciousness.
One can be spiritually, emotionally and mentally aware – on the intellectual level - but lacks soul consciousness at the same time. A person knows and understands sympathy but may not be sensibly empathetic. A person may be complaining for good cause but unconsciously live a life of keyboard warrior. To speak out one’s thought is one thing (the awareness) but to act on that thought makes the huge difference (the conscious living).
Having a good awareness is not good enough as it does not make life full. Awareness is the ability to process but consciousness is about making meaningful sense to Life. Am I conscious of my mental clarity? Am I conscious of my emotional clarity? Am I conscious of my spiritual clarity? Am I conscious of my role as a person, as a human being, and my place in the world? What is the sum total when consciousness verses awareness is added?
To live a meaningful life and to be a good human with purpose, it is important to do self reflection to raise awareness. Only when there is a heightened awareness that conscious living awakened. The level of awareness with the level of consciousness fits all life’s puzzles significantly. Together, it generates a broader sense to live the empathetic life in full harmony.
However, self reflection should not be done from the mind of the Ego for its eyes only want to see all is good, all is right. Also, it should not be done from the lowest ebb of self-pity or self-loathe where self victimization is not the key towards nurturing the Inner Child within. A conscious mind will not neglect nor belittle the Inner Child.
It is good to do it from why things are going wrong? Why errors need to be corrected? It is an enriching mindset exercise. Awakening awareness is living up life’s dreams to become a proactive plan for bigger success. It is no longer about dreaming but doing. It is a conscious step to bring light into life. It is the cry of the soul to say goodbye to darkness - for in the light, clarity becomes wisdom. It is to bring positive meaning and working on higher purpose in life.
Why self reflection (with the objective to heighten awareness) is important? Thinking is a burden when thinking gets too much. It is in the awareness of the doing – actions and reactions - that counts. If I think I am good, how good am I doing it? Should I think I am a loving person, do I have the unconditional heart with a positive non-judgemental thinking brain?
The more the sense of awareness is brought into life, consciousness expands. In general, being aware is best cultivated from situational awareness. Situational awareness brings people wanting to understand why things happen that are affecting them, usually to safeguard one’s safety or security. It is to find consciousness to comprehend the significance to life.
When the process to think is free, words – on the other hand, are cheap. I may say that I cannot control what happens. Such thought is plainly my awareness. However, for me to control how I respond would be nurturing my consciousness.
My consciousness may think I am speaking to the soul of others but am I aware of the ego misinterpreted their body language, their minds and their responses? How can I reconcile them to be on the same page to be unconditional?
I may tell myself not to fear. Again, such thought is plainly my awareness. However, for me to tell myself nothing in life is to be feared but only to be understood is raising my consciousness.
I may say that the greatest wealth is having a healthy body, a peaceful mind and having the right people in my life. In essence, that is such a beautiful awareness for me to live right. But, to know how to yield that greatest wealth by knowing who is ‘the right people’ is to live by higher consciousness.
I want to live a peaceful, joyful life and create awareness to fulfil it. But, should I lack the full understanding to decode the consciousness to alter natural course of actions, the joy peaceful life can be a far-reaching want. In awareness, I can tell myself not to blame others. However, to live with consciousness, it is wise that I am always taking full responsibility on my actions, reactions and my words and not to blame others should things fail. Ironically, failures in life are not caused by others but ownself where I fail to hold self accountability and responsibility.
I am aware that I need to breathe to live but am I conscious that breathing can tremendously calm me down too? I am aware to be good, to be kind and to be nice will give a quality life. However, am I conscious such values promote unconditional love towards all humans of different races, skin colors and religions living peacefully together?
I am aware that bad mouthing, gossiping or complaining is bad. But, do I consciously make an effort to tell myself not to do it but deliberately step up to make the difference? Or, that I fight for equality to share with others that such behaviour divides us and crumbles human relationships?
Therefore, the question that I need to ask myself is, ‘how often must I reflect’? Should I do reflection every each day? How long should each exercise be? Do I want to raise my consciousness? What kind of exercise is effective to raise awareness and to embrace conscious living?
The logic in doing self reflection is to bring awareness in line with conscious living. It is the inward journey to learn about life purpose. It is an exercise to become what God wants me to be. It is the nutrient for healthy personal growth to nurture basic consciousness. With basic consciousness, the thinking mind becomes aware of the world leading to greater self understanding to live life lovingly and peacefully.
I reckon the day I get to be conscious and becoming much aware, I get to celebrate a big win in life. I am aware that life pains never end but for me to find many reasons to smile is a conscious effort. Life becomes a gift, truly. It is in knowing, in such understanding that makes a big difference in living a quality life with bigger meaning.
It is on the higher state of awareness and consciousness, acceptance on all things becomes natural. In such state, all thoughts and feelings are without judgement even if they are unpleasant. In such state, there is mindfulness not to get caught up in life complexities. As Is, life is simple – it is the thinking mind that makes it otherwise.
