Awareness

A certain way to improve our attitude to life - and to become more present - is to increase our awareness of what we do, of how we behave. Through observing ourselves we get to see the patterns of behaviour that keep us trapped in our sleep-walking state. We see how our conditioning has given us attitudes that keep us attached to external things in the (empty) hope they will bring us happiness.


Awareness frees us to live in the here and now. And it comes from observation. There's not a particular way to do this; even if there were having another person tell you how would just be another bit of conditioning.


Just watch yourself. Are you aware of what you say, of what you do? Do you notice the feelings you have when things happen? Are you even aware of any feelings? Can you discern what's going on inside when you experience strong feelings or emotions - when you feel fear or anger, for example?


As well as watching ourselves as we go through our day, we can also review our experiences afterwards and attempt to understand them; and try to understand what stirs up feelings in us; and understand why we react so predictably in certain situations.


When awareness comes it gives us an opportunity to step outside ourselves and look at what is happening - and so we avoid identifying with these things. Then slowly, a piece at a time, we start to identify with "I" rather than "me." Which leads to our behaviour changing as well as our attitudes. It just comes.


My experience has led me to believe that observation leading to awareness is the most important spiritual principle I have identified.