Has your plate ever suddenly been empty without you realizing that you had just been eating?
Most people go through life as if sleepwalking. You can see this when you ask someone what they ate yesterday. How quickly do you get an answer?
Why is awareness important? Because it is the fundamental tool for survival, the ability to be aware of one's environment in some form and to act accordingly.
Our entire day is constantly focused on taking action. But how often are we aware of our actions? And why is it that we so often act unconsciously? Because we are always in a hurry, constantly under pressure, and because we believe that our environment demands multitasking skills from us.
Perhaps you are familiar with the well-known statement by a Zen master: "When I lie down, I lie down. When I get up, I get up. When I walk, I walk. When I eat, I eat."
When you read this, how quickly does your mind kick in and say, "Yes, we know that." Then the next thought comes along, and it's gone. We jump from one thought to another and hardly ever think anything through to the end. This goes on all day long, and in the evening we wonder why we are so exhausted and drained.
However, fatigue and exhaustion are not the only dilemma—you have to deal with that. But what are the daily consequences, including for those around us, if we do not approach our activities with an appropriate level of awareness?
Most of the time, this is how we think:
- I know there are signs that our company is getting into more and more trouble. BUT, the way we've been doing things so far has worked, hasn't it? The whole thing is definitely a tiresome topic. And if I don't let myself be swayed, the situation might resolve itself.
- I know that employee XY in the team keeps causing trouble and that the other colleagues are afraid of him. BUT eventually the rest of the team will get used to it.
- Basically, I know that employee XY is overqualified and we should responsibility him more responsibility . BUT he can make a real difference in our department.
- I know that my children suffer from having so little of me. I know that I hurt them and that they resent me for it. BUT one day I will change it somehow.
Through the thousands upon thousands of decisions we make between thinking and not thinking, between responsibly facing reality and avoiding it, we establish a feeling that tells us what kind of person we are. On a conscious level, we rarely remember these decisions. But deep in our psyche, they add up. The result is the sum total of our experience, which we call self-esteem.
A deception of consciousness – behind it lies a mind that puts itself out of action. A typical example of this is clouding certain situations. For example, I know that I have not behaved fairly towards my colleague and that I need to make amends. However, I don't want to admit to my colleague that I have made a mistake. So I delay the whole thing and pretend that I am still thinking about the situation. This is the opposite of conscious living. It is an avoidance of the significance of what I am doing. It is an attitude that we are aware of, but which we quickly numb with typical thoughts such as: "
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"If I choose not to see or recognize it, then it doesn't exist."
But what does living consciously mean? Here are a few thoughts on the subject:
- Living independently — I am responsible for my own existence and happiness. I do not succumb to the illusion that another person could make me happy or make decisions for me.
- Always remain a beginner in spirit —learn, recognize, expand your consciousness, be determined to learn, accept other points of view—and find joy in all of this.
- Addressing important issues head-on instead of avoiding them – when I realize that the course I am on is not the one that will take me where I want to go – changing course and correcting my previous assumptions.
- Not letting myself be guided by interpretations or emotions —what do I actually perceive and how do I interpret what I perceive? Instead of building crazy constructs in my head, I ask questions to gain clarity.
- Check for my own sake whether my actions are consistent with my intentions. Are my actions in line with the goal I want to achieve?
- Seekingfeedback – accepting feedback if it helps me grow – could it be that I need to change something about myself (recognize and correct mistakes)?
- Being aware of my values —which guide me, as well as their roots—so that I am not dominated by values that I have irrationally or uncritically adopted from others.
Consider for yourself how many of the seven points mentioned apply to you.
Living consciously therefore means being aware of everything that has to do with our actions, intentions, values, and goals. To the best of our ability, according to our capabilities, whatever they may be, and to let our behavior be guided by what we see and know. Living consciously is therefore an attitude —an attitude toward life. When was the last time you thought about your attitude?
