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| ~ ∞ ~ On Consciousness and Awareness - Awaken the Living Awareness Within ~ ∞ ~ |
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Another important aspect of this work is consciousness, and even more so – awareness, both of which are at the very heart of our being. Understanding both consciousness and awareness – defining characteristics of sentience, should be our primary goal above all else, or at the very least, considered as being of great importance, as they are playing a key role in determining the course of human happiness and suffering. As such, this whole body of work builds upon this foundation, and therefore we need to have a discussion that covers both consciousness and awareness. The reason being that there is a fundamental difference between the two. These closely related terms are often used interchangeably, resulting in a lot of ensuing confusion and misunderstanding. This happens because the dominant Western worldview is based on materialism which likens consciousness to mind – conveniently lumping these terms together. Let us explore this further and see if there could be another way of looking at this.
In the Western worldview, there is an a priori presumption that consciousness is the same as mind, something that is confined to the brain, and therefore most people equate their minds with their brains. As a result, many fail to understand that the brain is simply an instrument through which the universal consciousness interacts with the world of forms. This presumption that consciousness shares the limitations of the mind and the body is simply a belief to which the vast majority of humanity unknowingly subscribes. This happens in spite of the fact that one simple look at our experience shows that there is no evidence to support such a belief. In this context, mind (consciousness, awareness) is therefore defined as the product of brain activity.
All current Western approaches for consciousness (at least all mainstream ones) are based on materialism – a philosophical stance which holds that the only thing that exists – is matter; that all things are composed of material, and all phenomena (including consciousness) are the result of material interactions. Mainstream scientists like to say, argue – and even insist, that the brain creates consciousness and that consciousness cannot survive without the brain. But if one looks deeper, utilizing the very tools provided by the science itself, namely Quantum Mechanics, it’s just as plausible to argue that consciousness exists before the formation of the brain, and therefore consciousness can exist after the death of the brain. What an astonishing dichotomy, isn’t it? By contrast, non-Western traditions see consciousness as ontologically primary to physical matter, an idea that underlies most of the world’s wisdom traditions, including Zen, Taoism, Buddhism, Vedanta, and Yoga.
When it comes to difference between consciousness and awareness, it is critical to understand what makes them each unique. In Western terms, consciousness can be regarded as mind with objects, whereas awareness refers to mind without objects. Having said that, it is paramount to highlight the following: both consciousness and awareness have little to do with brain or intellect, and everything to do with our ability to be present; if anything, intellect is a barrier. Indeed, we give too much emphasis on the intellect, not enough on the heart. More precisely, when someone becomes identified with their intellect, intellectuality is born – and this is what becomes a barrier to the inner exploration of our true nature – see?
Indeed, there is more to these ideas than any language could ever describe. Nevertheless, in this book, I have attempted writing the unwritable and express the inexpressible. As such, I have done my very best to push the limits of language to express even a portion of something that can only be known through direct experience. That said, it is highly recommended that readers will study these subjects on their own to achieve more in-depth understanding. And for that reason, there is a bibliography (recommended reading) at the back of the book for additional sources of information. A word of advice though, do not rely on mere theory, but on experience.
Because in this book we are dealing with a conceptual framework that arises from personal experience – an experience of being fully awake and aware whilst exploring the physical reality, the world and the human life by occupying the vehicle better known as the human body, we use the terms that best describe the aliveness of the experience: 1.) Living Consciousness, and 2.) Living Awareness. These terms are used to differentiate between mere idea and something experiential, truly alive. Furthermore, these terms are closely connected with the idea of Lucid Living*1. In short, Living Consciousness builds upon the idea of Interconnectedness of Everything through shared consciousness, whereas Living Awareness builds upon the idea of an Omnipresent Awareness. And because this whole body of work culminates into awareness – mastering the Art of Mindfulness*2, the term Living Awareness deserves a few more words.
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*1 Lucid Living refers to a state of being vividly awake, clear, lucid, and empty. Imagine for a moment, if you will, that you would be able to be fully present in the moment, without the interference of thoughts, feelings and emotions; now, imagine for a moment that you could live your life in this state. This is Lucid Living, in a nutshell; it is discussed in more detail in the section titled AWARENESS – in the chapters 1.) The Art of Lucid Living, and 2.) The Art of Mindful Living.
*2 Mindfulness is the ability to perceive ourselves, others and our environment more consciously. This topic is explored in more detail in the section titled AWARENESS.
*1 Lucid Living refers to a state of being vividly awake, clear, lucid, and empty. Imagine for a moment, if you will, that you would be able to be fully present in the moment, without the interference of thoughts, feelings and emotions; now, imagine for a moment that you could live your life in this state. This is Lucid Living, in a nutshell; it is discussed in more detail in the section titled AWARENESS – in the chapters 1.) The Art of Lucid Living, and 2.) The Art of Mindful Living.
*2 Mindfulness is the ability to perceive ourselves, others and our environment more consciously. This topic is explored in more detail in the section titled AWARENESS.
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Living Awareness is a term that describes expanded and focused state of being, or simply “pure awareness with aliveness”; it builds upon the idea of an Omnipresent Awareness – residing beyond consciousness, transcending space and time, matter and form. Living Awareness creates Living Consciousness through which we perceive the world around us; Living Consciousness arises when Living Awareness observes itself through its many emanations. So it could very well be said that Living Awareness – Pure Alive Presence – is the very nature of Life itself – see? These areas are explored in more detail in the sections titled CONSCIOUSNESS and AWARENESS, respectively. But for now, we end this brief discussion with these words by Sri Nisargadatta:
Consciousness does not shine by itself. It shines by a light beyond it. Having seen the dreamlike quality of consciousness, look for the light in which it appears. There is the content of consciousness as well as the awareness of it.
After reading the aforementioned, one could easily entertain the idea that space, time, matter, and form are concepts that appear in consciousness, which is another way of saying that all experience and phenomena happens in consciousness. If that would indeed be the case, then we would do well to realize that there is nowhere to go but in, which is another way of saying that we should consider the possibility that there really is no space “out there.” Rather, it is all here, within each and every one of us. Hence, it goes without saying that it takes a fair paradigm shift*1 to make the step in understanding our experience as conscious, sentient beings – of which consciousness and awareness is a fundamental part of it.
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*1 A paradigm is the collection of ideas and assumptions that pass from one generation to the next and which seem to be immutable. The paradigm shift, then, is when the paradigm shifts. In this process, everything that no longer serves its purpose – begins to fade away, to be replaced with something else; and with it goes all the old, outdated and outmoded structures that are limiting us. This in turn gives way to a new understanding, a new way of seeing, a new way of living, being, and doing. Paradigm shifts are necessary for growth and transformation. This area is explored more in detail in the section titled INFINITE, in a chapter Metaphysical Paradigm Shift.
*1 A paradigm is the collection of ideas and assumptions that pass from one generation to the next and which seem to be immutable. The paradigm shift, then, is when the paradigm shifts. In this process, everything that no longer serves its purpose – begins to fade away, to be replaced with something else; and with it goes all the old, outdated and outmoded structures that are limiting us. This in turn gives way to a new understanding, a new way of seeing, a new way of living, being, and doing. Paradigm shifts are necessary for growth and transformation. This area is explored more in detail in the section titled INFINITE, in a chapter Metaphysical Paradigm Shift.
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~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
~ ॐ ~ Sambodhi Padmasamadhi ~ ∞ ~
Get the Book: Awaken the Living Awareness Within – Discover the Keys to Happiness, Inner Peace & Harmony
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Extra Material: Video: You're It - Alan Watts. Video description: "An inspiring and profound speech from the late Alan Watts. Speech extract from 'Zen Bones and Tales' by Alan Watts"
