Our thoughts create our realities. Therefore, if we want to change your behavior, our way of thinking, or our lives, awareness is the first step. Unfortunately, many of us go through life oblivious to our actions and thoughts. The good news is that once we’re aware, we can change them. So let’s explore how awareness can lead us to a beautiful life.
Awareness as Nature’s Fat Buster
Let’s say that someone is trying to lose weight. Tracy wants to be thinner, but she doesn’t know why she’s overweight in the first place. Without understanding the genetic predispositions and habits that have lead to her struggles with weight, she can’t improve her life. But if she engages in an activity that heightens her awareness, such as meditation, she’ll increase her ability to remain connected to the present moment.
Now that a regular meditation practice has caused her to be more focused on the present moment rather than distracted by thoughts, she may notice that she eats her meals very quickly. The fast pace in which she eats doesn’t give her stomach a chance to signal fullness to her brain. As a result, she overeats. Because she recognizes that she needs to slow down during mealtimes, she can improve her eating habits. She commits to pausing between bites, making sure that she chews her food thoroughly. Through mindfully engaging with mealtimes, Tracy breaks the cycle of overeating, and she begins to shed extra pounds. Tracy’s example is a simple one, but you can apply her ability to change to nearly any human struggle.
Awareness Points Us to Who We Are
Life is full of change. Our feelings swing from happy to sad, relationships come and go, and even our hopes and dreams are in flux. There’s one thing, however, that has been consistent throughout our lives. Awareness has remained changeless from our birth and it will remain the same until we die. It’s the core of our nature. It precedes mental commentary and memories. It comes before our thoughts such as this is good, that’s bad, I want this, and I don’t want that arise in our minds. Our ability to be aware is something that we all share. Recognizing this state of pure being can end the judgments that create suffering.
Attachments Keep us from Awareness
As humans, we are very good at grasping at objects and feelings that make us feel good and resisting that which causes pain. Unfortunately, in the process of holding on to things and thoughts, we create attachments, which cause us to miss out on what is happening right now. It’s like we’re traveling down a river and we see a beautiful spot, so we stop. We say, “This spot feels good, and I don’t want to move!” Meanwhile, the rocks are beating against our bodies and we’re fighting the current’s force. But what if we let go of the attachment. Rather than resolutely hold on to our place, even if it’s causing us to suffer, what if we flowed with the current and said, “I’ll go where the water takes me.” As a result, we may actually enjoy the journey.
Without Mental Commentary, Life Is Beautiful
Awareness is simple. In fact, we only need to observe children to understand how it works. Children view the world without labels. They’re so good at finding something to play with no matter where they are, and no matter what surrounds them. It’s their ability to be in the now that allows them to see beauty everywhere. When we reside in awareness and drop the mental commentary, we realize that life’s not so bad. We begin to recognize that life’s not the problem, it’s our judgment that causes the suffering. When we’re aware of the present moment, minus the mental commentary, life is beautiful. But once we add judgment, such as, “I don’t want this,” or, “I really want that!” we suffer.
Awareness Has No Boundaries
Many years ago, I took a trip to Egypt. While there, I visited a village inhabited by the city’s garbage collectors. These individuals aren’t anything like the trash collectors that we have in the U.S. Their job was to gather public garbage and bring it to their homes. In their social class, their role was to collect trash.
I recall spending time in the village of trash collectors. Their homes were made out of what other people didn’t want anymore. At first, the garbage that was in and outside of the houses alarmed me. But as I spent time within the community, I saw that the little children didn’t even notice the trash that was everywhere. They played, built things, and enjoyed their lives. The labels that so many of us placed on our present experiences didn’t bog them down. As a result, they were some of the happiest un-attached people I’ve ever encountered.
Meditation quiets the mind and teaches us how to just be. When we lead our lives in simple awareness, we cultivate a child-like approach to our day-to-day. Awareness causes us to identify areas in our would benefit from change, which makes it a powerful tool for self-transformation. In the end, it’s who we are, and when we identify with it, life flows smoothly.
– Dr. Robert Puff
Dr. Robert Puff, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist, author, international speaker, and meditation expert who has been counseling individuals, families, nonprofits, and businesses for over twenty years. A contributing writer to Psychology Today, he has authored numerous books and creates a weekly podcast on happiness at http://www.HappinessPodcast.org He also creates a weekly podcast on meditation, http://www.MeditationForHealthPodcast.com and a weekly podcast on spiritual enlightenment, http://www.EnlightenmentPodcast.com
His retreat schedules can be found at http://www.HolisticRetreats.tv You also might find his blog useful at http://www.Meditation-Enlightenment.com
If you are interested in having Dr. Puff speak to your organization or company, you can learn more about his speaking services at http://www.SuccessBeyondYourImagination.com
