Gaining Deeper Awareness
The majority of people on earth live in a state of ‘non-awareness’. We all have to be somewhat aware to exist and survive but generally, it’s just enough to get by, fit in, and stay where we are most comfortable.
Jul 22, 2024
Self Growth
10 min
No matter who you are or where you’re at, we all set ourselves up with a foundation and series of frameworks with the goal of getting through life in the way we best see fit. The problem here is, since most of us are not aware, what we see as ‘best’ for ourselves is probably not ‘best’.
More than likely, you’re living your life based on (at least some level of) delusion.
Non-Aware = Stuck
We are classified as ‘non-aware’ when we are not able to face or fully view the big picture of what’s going on, both within and around us. When we lack full clarity, we aren’t able to grow, solve, heal, or expand. We get stuck. When we are stuck, we are not in control.
Once we’re stuck, in this ongoing state of not growing, solving, healing, or expanding, we turn towards getting through life the way we again ‘best see fit’. The outcome? Filling our lives with negative patterns:
Negative Patterns (Vices)
Distractions: Used to avoid, escape, numb, or mask. (Desperation)
Narratives: Used to deny, blame, justify, or conform. (Delusion)
These negative patterns can come in many forms. We start doing them as a child and by the time we’re in our twenties or thirties, most people are locked into place and over the course of their lives, won’t evolve much. They are simply plugging along. The challenge here, for someone that wishes to seek mastery, continually evolve, and avoid getting or staying ‘stuck’ is to find, face, and ultimately fix these negative patterns in our lives.
Positive Patterns (Virtues)
Acceptance: Used to find, face, embrace, and surrender to reality/truth. (Awareness)
Effort: Used to grow, experience, challenge, and progress. (Action)
Positive patterns are cultivated through conscious effort and a commitment to personal growth. These patterns often emerge from habits and routines that promote well-being, resilience, and continuous learning. By intentionally developing these patterns, individuals set themselves on a path of ongoing transformation and fulfillment. Unlike negative patterns that can keep us stagnant, positive patterns encourage us to explore new possibilities, embrace challenges, and achieve higher levels of awareness and capability. For those striving for mastery, recognizing and nurturing positive patterns is essential. It ensures that we not only progress but also thrive, constantly pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve and who we can become.
Key Points to Consider
It’s both harder and easier than you think: Awakening requires effort and persistence, but it is achievable.
Continuous process: You will always carry patterns that can be improved. Awakening is about continually swapping out the bad and okay with the good and better.
Enjoy the moment: Embrace the process and the present moment. This phrase / concept is only overstated to the point of becoming cliché, because for thousands of years, people have been seeking answers to the problems we face as human beings, and presence, acceptance, and stillness time and time again ends up being the verdict, also we hear it so often because most of us never seem to get it right.
Contentment in the journey: Learn to be content with the ups and downs, the struggles, and the friction. We are often taught to constantly solve problems, but they usually aren’t actually solved, rather band-aided, via negative patterns.
True solutions: A true solution is something that doesn’t come back as an issue. But for most of us, a problem solved or desire fulfilled, immediately leads to a new problem or desire.
The Illusion of Control
The best way to be in control of life is to be aware of yourself and how you perceive and respond to life. This is essentially you holding the controller in the game of life. If you don’t have a solid grip on yourself and how you react to what’s coming at you, it’s as if you’re playing a game by yelling, thinking, and poking at the screen. Ironically, this aggressive approach to controlling life is both useless and ineffective. You think you are in control, however, while you are yelling, thinking, and pointing in frustration, the remote that would give you the ability to maneuver, solve, and progress is sitting there untouched. You end up losing in situations, like a player running at the wall, glitching, while the conscious player runs past you.
Starting your journey towards reaching higher states of awareness, is a key part of the path to mastery. This path is two-fold:
The P.A.T.H. Continuum:
Consistency and improvements in your: Practices, Ambitions, Tasks, and Habits
Improves your experience and allows for higher states of: Purpose, Awareness, Tranquility, and Healing
Awareness = True Control
To achieve true control over your life, you must strive for deeper awareness. This means being conscious of your thoughts, emotions, and actions, and understanding how they shape your experiences. True control is not about forcing outcomes but about navigating life with a clear, calm mind and a focused, deliberate approach.
Follow Through = Gaining Trust With Yourself
Follow-through is essential in building trust with yourself. When you set goals or intentions and consistently act on them, you reinforce your self-belief and reliability. This trust is crucial for sustained growth and overcoming obstacles on your path to mastery. It’s also worth noting that others can see and feel this in you and will gain trust in you and who you are becoming.
Reacting = Illusion Of Control
Reacting impulsively to situations gives a false sense of control. It’s a knee-jerk response driven by emotions rather than thoughtful consideration. This approach often leads to more chaos and less control over your life. You also end up doing, saying, or acting on things that you will regret. Better to take the time and space to process before reacting.
Responding = True Control
Responding, on the other hand, is a measured and thoughtful way to handle situations. It involves pausing, reflecting, and choosing the best course of action. This deliberate approach ensures that you remain in control and make decisions that align with your goals and values.
🪷 Imagine the exponential gains a responsive state will lead over a life lived from a reactive state. It’s the compound effect over time that really makes the difference.
Steps To Take / Call-To-Action
Self-Reflection: Take time daily to reflect on your actions, thoughts, and emotions. Identify patterns that are not serving you.
Mind Training: Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or journaling to increase your awareness.
Set Intentions: Clearly define your goals and intentions. Break them down into actionable steps.
Monitor Progress: Regularly review your progress and adjust your approach as needed.
Seek Support: Engage with mentors, coaches, or communities that support your growth and provide accountability.
Through the eyes of an angel: This may sound strange, but what works best for me is to see from my eyes as if i'm not quite human, but rather a soul or alien looking through my temporary human body. It helps me see from a place of presence and gratitude. "How lucky am I!? I get to operate this body in this world for such a brief and sacred moment." Over time you become more familiar with your own version of this state of deeper awareness, and it gets easier recognize, and therefore, return to.
Gaining deeper awareness is a continuous process that requires effort, persistence, and a willingness to face the truth, especially the truths you have been avoiding. By breaking negative patterns and cultivating positive ones, you will achieve true control in your life and reach higher states of mastery. This is the process of gaining a deeper awareness.
🖖 Be Happy, And At Ease,
Daniel Hanks
Student of Mastery
Teka: Center for Mastery
