How to develop Self-awareness
There are two definitions of self-awareness.
- The first is to be aware of our ephemeral self (our body, energy and mind) and
- the second is to be aware of our true Self, the inner formless silent luminous space which is eternal and is pure existence, pure awareness and pure bliss.
We must develop both kind of awareness, both are necessary, but more important is to develop awareness of our true Self. However the one leads to the other. By trying to be fully aware of our body and mind we become aware of our Self and by becoming aware of our Self we become aware of our body and mind.
Only in deep profound meditation we are only aware of our true Self. In all other cases we are aware of both; we decide where to focus more (to the silent inner space or to the body and mind) according our goal and circumstances. In this text I am referring to the self-awareness about our true Self.
Developing Self-Awareness
The general rule is that we can increase something by doing as much as possible what we want to increase. So, if we want to develop self-awareness we must practice self-awareness. In order to develop Self-awareness it is highly recommended to use some techniques or methods appropriate for this purpose. At the same time we must avoid as much as possible what make us fall in forgetfulness and identification with thoughts, emotions and objects and eliminate one by one the obstacles and the egoic tendencies that impede us remain self-aware.
In order to develop self-awareness, first of all we must investigate what is to be self-aware and what is to be identified. Right knowledge, a focused mind, attention and discernment are the necessary requirements to do this enquiry.
It is a must to acquire a clear perception of what is self-awareness, as well as what is identification with the external objects and situations, the body, sensations, emotions, thoughts and the ego itself.
Moreover we must enquiry and discover how identification happens as well as the strategies by which the egoic mind pulls us to forgetfulness of our true Self and identification with its own context and external objects.
We should be alert and vigilant as long as possible throughout the day, to observe ourselves and to inquire into the nature of identification and Self-awareness and to deepen our awareness and understanding of them more and more.
The practice of Self-awareness and the cesation of identifications is a whole life process; we practice it until to free our subconscious mind from all egoic tendencies, (desires, passions, programming, patterns and habits) which cause all identifications and rest permanently and effortlessly in our true nature (Sahaja state).
To enquire Self-awareness and be aware of the play of egoic mind, it is necessary to dedicate daily some time to do this enquiry in favorable conditions. We must do this enquiry two or three times in isolation (home, nature etc.) in order to investigate carefully the works of the mind regarding the identification as well as deepen in self-awareness without distractions.
After having a clear perception of what Self-Awareness is, then we must practice (practice does not mean struggle or strive hard) moment by moment to remain as much as possible Self-Aware and avoid identification.
Of course, it is not easy to avoid identification and remain constantly present, but this is the challenge of spirituality; our ability to remain self-aware depends on our maturity, motivation, mental and emotional capacities and how strong the ego is.
A fundamental requisite to develop self-awareness is our motivation, how much we want to remain self-aware, and the opposite, how much we don’t want live in identification.
Are we fed up by the mechanical life full of miseries and suffering, or we are still thirsty for sensual pleasurable experiences?
What is, we want more?
Very important are also our determination, patience, perseverance, tenacity and self-confidence to succeed in this endeavor.
Remember that in order to remain and deepen in Self-awareness we must seek and associate with what help us to succeed in this and avoid what impedes us remain in self-awareness and facilitates identification.
A problem regarding identification and Self-awareness is that we don't want to avoid the identification in relation with pleasurable and pleasant experiences. This is the greatest challenge we face in our journey towards liberation. However, our ego can also become attached to pain and resist abandoning it because it finds identity and meaning, albeit in a negative way.
The quantity and the quality both are important factors of development
In order to develop any capacity or quality, the quantity and the quality of practice are both necessary and important. High quantity of practice with low quality gives poor results and vice-versa, high quality (which normally is impossible without a lot of practice) with a little practice gives poor results as well.
High aspiration, devotion, dedication, self-confidence, faith, determination, patience, perseverance, tenacity, are more important than the methods.We and not the practices or the techniques by themselves are the most important factor and everything depends on our faith and determination.
Practical tips to develop self-awareness and self-awareness
- Participating in Satsang (meetings with awakened or Self-realized souls) if possible.
- Walking meditation. Walk from thirty (30’) to sixty (60’)minutes once or twice every day, using some of the main methods for developing Self-awareness. While walking we remain alert and self-aware and notice how sense objects attract our attention and tempt our minds and how the process of identification unfolds. We can also observe the main reactive patterns of the ego towards sense objects and external situations, i.e., attraction and aversion (repulsion),like and dislike and all other emotional and mental reactions.
- Eating our food mindfully[1], being aware of the inner silence. Do some prayer, express gratitude for having food and offer it to God,
Eating your food mindfully: to turn eating into meditation, we can start with conscious and deep breaths, make a prayer to purify and bless the food (should be mostly sattvic in nature) and offer it to God. All this will change our inner state, i.e., bring the mind into a sattvic state, make us more attentive, aware and serene and enable us to enter into deeper contact with the inner silence of the Self.repeat a mantra or affirmations of your true nature. - Practicing pranayama (breathing exercises).
- Practicing Hatha Yoga asanas.
- Reading spiritual books for one, two or more hours daily; books about Self-awareness, non-duality and classical books of Advaita Vedanta philosophy like Vivekachudamani by Adisankaracharya, Moksha Gita by Swami Sivananda, Astavakra Gita, Avadhuta Gita, Ribhu Gita.
- Watching videos of spiritual teachers related to Self-awareness.
- Listening to spiritual music or mantras.
- Dancing with spiritual music or mantras.
- Practicing relaxation. You can use any relaxation technique, aiming to become aware of the inner silence and delving deeper into it.
- Sitting in front of a mirror and looking at yourself carefully. Discern sensations and images from the silent space of Consciousness.
- Gazing at the blue sky or the night sky or at any other natural scape (sea, ocean, sky, etc.). Contemplating these landscapes helps us to get in touch with the silent space of Consciousness, because the landscapes are sattvic in nature, so our mind assumes its sattvic mode and there is no form that our mind can attach to, so our mind cannot grasp a form and identify with it.
Find your own ways to develop self-awareness and be established in itFind your own ways to remain and deepen in self-awareness according the conditions of tour life.Finally by continuous steady practice you must achieve remain self-aware in all situations of daily life.
Introspection and dissolution of egoic tendencies
You must also every day (usually every night) to do introspection and work with some egoic tendency, some negative emotion in order to understand it and dissolve it by proper means. By dissolving little by little every day the egoic energy we create more free space in mind that enable us remain more easily present and self-aware.
Everything is in you, everything will be revealed to you in the right time. If you aspire sincerely and practice regularly with faith and steadiness you will succeed. There is no doubt. Obstacles are many but you can overcome everything, no doubt! Everything depends on faith!
NOTE:
- Eradication of vasanas (desires) is the proper remedy, Not Suppression by Swami Sivananda
- Freedom from Samskaras and vasanas leads to liberation / by Atman Nityananda
- Samskaras -impressions by Swami Sivananda
- Death of samskaras (impressions) leads to Liberation (Moksha) / by Swami Sivananda
- Sexual Samskaras and eradication of lust
- Mind is a bundle of Vasanas – Destruction of Vasanas will bring freedom. Swami Krishnananda
Effectively dealing with mental-emotional reactions and maintaining Self-awareness in every moment is an art and not just a practice. It is the art of inner warfare.
🌺 Peace, Love, Harmony