Self-awareness
by Atman Nityananda /blog
Self-awareness is the basis of spirituality and Self-knowledge.
All our practices and daily activities should be done with Self-awareness.
Being aware of our Self (self-awareness), that is of the sense ‘I am’ and the inner silence, is essential to live consciously moment to moment and wake up to our true Self which is eternal peace, bliss and plenitud.
Forgetfulness of our divine essence (Atman, Consciousness) is real death have said the great nondual teacher (Guru) Adisankaracharya in his book Vivekachudamani.
Forgetfulness is the root cause of our bondage and suffering. That is why Self-awareness is the way out of it and the center of spiritual practice.
The forgetfulness of our Self (inner silence) and the identification with thoughts, emotion objects etc. happen simultaneously. We lose conscious contact with the ‘I am’ and inner silence and identify with the psychological and sensory forms.
So, if we want to be aware of our own Self we should stop identifying with the external objects and situations, the thoughts, emotions, desires, impulses etc. We have to find ways to stop identification and establish ourselves in Self-awareness.
Meditation and Self-enquiry are the fundamental means that enable us to establish ourselves in Self-awareness and overcome the identifications with the mental and emotional formations created by the egoic mind.
A very effective way to avoid forgetfulness and stop identifying with the mind’s projections is to consistently repeat mentally affirmations related to our true nature.
You can remain attentive and Self-aware by consistently repeating:
Consciousness I am, Silent presence I am, Peace I am, Ooommm Consciousness, Ooommm Silence, On Peace, Ooommm presence, Ooommm, Ooommm, Ooommm
and frequently and when necessary ask the following questions:
Am aware of myself? Am I aware of the silence within? Where my attention is now?
What prevents me now to be aware of myself?
To whom arises this thought, (desire, emotion, impulse)? To me. What is the background of this sense of ‘me’
We can use the above mentioned affirmations and questions for sitting meditation as well as during all day for maintaining Self-awareness and the meditative state moment by moment.
Doing this throughout the day when we engage in sensory experiences is of great importance because we more easily identify with external situations and our mind’s reactions and projections.
By doing this moment by moment with interest and sincerity we remain alert and attentive, we remember to be conscious of ourselves and take the witnessing state watching and noticing clearly what happens in us.
The questions also help us avoid or stop identification with mental and emotional reactions.
The cessation of identification and becoming aware of oneself (sense of being and silent presence) happen simultaneously. These two states (identification and self-awareness) cannot happen at the same time. We cannot be self-aware and at the same time fully identify with a form (psychological or sensory).
To remain firmly in Self-awareness and avoid identifying with the psychological reactions, we must practice consistently. Constantly repeat the affirmations and frequently ask the questions mentioned above.
To do this diligently moment by moment we must, first of all, desire it very much, have much fervor or zeal.
Repeating the affirmations and frequently asking the above mentioned inquiry questions with curiosity and interest will help us remain alert, attentive and Self-aware.
Finally, I stress that everyone will find their own way to apply the questions and will devise other questions and other ways to develop Self-awareness and stop identifying with the reactions of the mind.
Sincerity, coherencee, perseverance, steady determination, commitment, patience, diligent practice and intense longing to realize truth are the most important factors of success.
You can remain attentive and Self-aware by consistently repeating, Consciousness I am, Silent presence I am, Peace I am, Ooommm Consciousness, Ooommm Silence, On Peace, Ooommm presence, Ooommm, Ooommm, Ooommm
🌺 Peace, Love, Harmony
atmannityanada 