Awaken
We spend most of our lives asleep. By this we mean living not in
accordance with our own perceptions, but according to the
interpretations and values given to us by others. Even when we
feel we are making conscious, adult choices we are largely reacting
according to programs that were imprinted on us in early
childhood. Such an unconscious guidance system reduces the
effort it takes to navigate through life. Unfortunately, it also
means that our responses to events will often be inappropriate.
This is because pre-programmed responses are inflexible, unable to take
into account different circumstances or changing values. Our responses
will be imperfectly aligned with the events we are responding to, and
this lack of alignment creates some degree of discomfort within us,
which can vary from a subliminal uneasiness to overt feelings of anger,
resentment or fear.
Awakening involves a deliberate, conscious choice to perceive both our
inner
world and the outer world as they truly are. To accomplish this
we need to recognize the unconscious filters through which we see those
worlds,
and to understand the unconscious programs by which we live our
lives. As our awareness and understanding of these programs grow
we may be able to discard the ones that cause us the most
discomfort, and replace them with consciously
chosen responses that are more in tune with the situation.
As we work to awaken, our feelings about the events around us, both
positive and negative, become stronger and sharper. At the same
time, the constant sense of unease that most of us live with
diminishes. That gives us a new sense of confidence and control
that paradoxically allows us to relinquish control, to "go with the
flow", since we are now moving with the current of our life rather
than constantly fighting it.
Awakening to our true nature as conscious beings and to the true nature
of the world we live in is a lifelong journey. It leads us to
unexpected realizations and a constant stream of new wonders. It
is the jewel at the center of our existence, costing nothing but of
infinite value.
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