Life is a journey filled with a myriad of experiences, each contributing to our growth and understanding of the world around us. Whether we approach life consciously or unconsciously, we will inevitably go through these experiences. However, the way we perceive and react to them can significantly impact our well-being. Perception and awareness could be a key. In this blog post, I will explore what conscious and unconscious living may actually mean, and how being aware can potentially help us choose to suffer less and gain deeper insights into our experiences.
The Unconscious Approach to Life
From my perspective and experience, living unconsciously means going through life on autopilot, without fully understanding or questioning the events and circumstances that shape our existence. This approach often leads to reacting impulsively to situations, driven by ingrained habits and beliefs that reside in our subconscious mind. Here are some characteristics of an unconscious approach to life:
- Reactive Behavior: Responding to situations based on past conditioning rather than thoughtful consideration (stop and reflect)
- Limited Awareness: Lack of understanding of the underlying causes of emotions and actions (you play the game but may not know the rules or use rules that got outdated)
- Repetition of Patterns: Continuously experiencing similar challenges and struggles without recognizing the root causes (you took something for granted e.g. from your parents and repeat it)
- Increased Suffering: Unconscious reactions can lead to unnecessary stress and emotional turmoil (you push for something that does not work for you repeating program from patterns, that may lead to symptoms in your body and sickness)
The Conscious Approach to Life
On the other hand, living consciously involves being present (ideally fully present but well… not sure if anyone except maybe Eckhart Tolle or spiritual masters is ever able to achieve so during life) and aware of our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It means taking a proactive stance towards life, questioning our beliefs, and making deliberate choices. For me it’s a journey where you may build some consciousness. Here are some characteristics of a conscious approach to life:
- Mindful Awareness: Being present in the moment and observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment (at least for the moment where you meditate, reflex on what is going on in your life)
- Understanding Causes: Recognizing the underlying reasons for our feelings and behaviors (that would be the next step but indeed all what happens and happened could be logically explained at the end)
- Intentional Choices: Making decisions based on thoughtful consideration and awareness (here is the really advanced part, as here you are becoming the real creator of your life using your talents and Dharma)
- Reduced Suffering: Conscious awareness allows us to choose how we respond to situations, potentially reducing emotional pain (and physical if we can remove the reasons that made us suffer through consciousness and understanding, we don’t need to suffer potentially)
My Personal Journey of Transformation
Over the past few years, I have undergone a significant transformation, navigating the delicate balance between unconscious and conscious living. There is no absolute state of being totally unconscious or fully conscious; life is a journey where we continuously discover aspects that we choose to explore in this lifetime.
I used to live on autopilot, reacting to life based on inherited beliefs and conditioned responses. I used to use my mind only, neglecting emotions and intuition. I used to be someone who I thought I knew, who I thought was me, but It appeared to be kind of robot driven on programs that nearly made me dead (for sure exhausted and sick). Fortunately, I opened my eyes (and heart) a bit. I discovered many aspect that did not work for me. E.g, how my approach to life as a duty, inherited from my parents, was making me feel sad and limiting my actions to achieve success. This realization actually was a turning point, allowing me to break free from these limiting beliefs and embrace a more conscious approach (family constellations).
Before this, I also cleared my wrong perceptions about my relationships with my son and my spouse. Understanding the power of real manifestations and addressing aspects that were making me sick, such as my rigid and outdated way of thinking, have been pivotal in my journey. These insights have helped me navigate life with more awareness and intention, leading to profound personal growth and healing. I still hit the wall with my head on daily basis, and in some aspects most likely will be hitting until the end of my life. Fortunately it hearts every time a bit less 🙂
Philosophical Perspectives
It’s not any new topic. There are many people around writing about it. Philosophers have long pondered the nature of consciousness and the human experience. From Socrates’ call to “know thyself” to Descartes’ assertion “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”), the exploration of consciousness has been central to philosophical inquiry. These perspectives only emphasize the importance of self-awareness and understanding as foundational to a meaningful life.
Insights from MatĂas De Stefano
MatĂas De Stefano is a spiritual teacher and he knows just a lot about life from perspective. He shares profound insights into consciousness and the human experience. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the multidimensional nature of reality and our role within it. According to Matias, living consciously involves recognizing our connection to the universe and the impact of our thoughts and actions. Also: “We are neurons that, when connected, create synapses, generating ideas capable of transforming the world”. He encourages individuals to embrace their inner wisdom and navigate life with awareness and intention.
Personally, MatĂas De Stefano has been a significant inspiration on my journey. Over the years, I have gained a deeper understanding of his teachings and how they apply to my life. While sometimes it feels like he must be taking something extraordinary to have such profound insights (no offensive joke :)), his wisdom has helped me see life from a more conscious perspective. I am glad that he was presented to me by my wife, and that what he explains is getting to me in a logical and understandable way.
The Challenges of Conscious Living
While living consciously offers many benefits, it also comes with challenges. One downside is witnessing how people unconsciously cause harm to their families and friends. It can be hard to see patients suffering due to their unconscious actions. However, it is incredibly fulfilling to witness their transformation, see them discover themselves, and build their consciousness. This is a never-ending process, and each step forward is a victory.
Navigating Experiences with Awareness
Regardless of whether we approach life consciously or unconsciously, we will encounter various experiences. However, being conscious can help us navigate these experiences more effectively and minimize suffering. Here are some ways awareness can make a difference:
- Recognizing Patterns: By being aware, we can identify recurring patterns in our lives and understand their origins. This insight allows us to break free from negative cycles and make positive changes. (in my case I knew that rigid approach to life does not work for me anymore)
- Choosing Responses: Conscious awareness empowers us to choose our responses rather than reacting impulsively. This can lead to more constructive outcomes and less emotional distress (How to Learn and Grow from Difficult Experiences)?
- Understanding Emotions: Being mindful of our emotions helps us understand their sources and manage them more effectively. This can reduce the intensity of negative feelings and promote emotional well-being (no comments required, drama or calm and peace?)
- Learning and Growth: Awareness facilitates learning from our experiences. By understanding what happened and why, we can gain valuable insights and grow as individuals. (could be painful when actually see what universe was trying to show us in given situations)
Practical Steps to Cultivate Conscious Awareness
Cultivating conscious awareness requires practice and dedication (and discipline). Here are some practical steps to help you become more aware in your daily life:
- Mindfulness Meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation to develop the habit of being present and observing your thoughts and emotions.
- Self-Reflection: Take time to reflect on your experiences and identify patterns and underlying causes. (kind of meditation but while being online during day while things really are occurring)
- Journaling: Keep a journal to document your thoughts, feelings, and insights. This can help you gain clarity and track your progress (that’s the good one and helped me a lot)
- Breathing Exercises: Use breathing exercises to stay grounded and centered in the present moment. (simple breath in and out helps immediately when we stress. More advanced breathwork approaches can help more)
- Seek Guidance: Consider working with a therapist or coach to help you navigate your journey towards conscious living. (many therapists support, including myself, finding the right one helped me a lot)
Wishing your happy searching for your consciousness and awareness. Looking at all from perspective could be a key.
