Cultivate Awareness: Check-in with Your Whole Self

Awareness is a gift. Humans have the capacity for internal and external awareness; consciousness of what is going on inside and around them. This gift becomes more intermittent as we grow in the material world. And unfortunately, can become lost in the fast-paced modern lifestyle.

Awareness/consciousness is our birthright. We have to know that it is missing in order to regain it. Most of us are so distracted, busy, handling a multitude of daily schedules and tasks. We spend so much time in our headspace, on autopilot, that many things go unnoticed, which disturbs the balance in one’s being.

When we slow down long enough to check in with ourselves, we may be surprised by what we find. So much beauty. As well as suffering. We are multifaceted beings. “Busying” through life does not serve us.

There may be many areas of self-neglect, denial, etc. happening right under your radar, that you’re not even aware of. The idea is step back to notice, as a passive observer, but one who loves his/herself. Be present with yourself, be compassionate, and be helpful to yourself, like a friend would be! Keep reading for a simple wellness self-check-up.

Physical body

When we can pause what we are doing, close our eyes, and tune in with our bodies, what do you notice? Is the breathing short, shallow, high up in the chest, incomplete? Are your shoulders sore from carrying the weight of the world? Are the hips stiff? Is the lower back achy? Is there something you can do to support your physical body better? Posture is a good place to start. Take time to notice how you move, how you hold yourself, your walking patterns, etc. Be compassionate as you become aware. Small changes can make a great difference.

Mental

What is going on upstairs? Observe your thoughts objectively, as a witness. Are we mentally in a state of hyperarousal? Or are we bored to tears? Seeking the escape of daydreams? Ruminating over the past? Worrying about the future? Just notice the thoughts, like clouds in the sky. They come and go. All are welcome, because we know they are just visitors passing through the blue sky of all-pervading consciousness. The more we attune to that blue sky, pure consciousness, the more peace in mind.

Spiritual

Spirituality is a belief and a connection with something Higher than the small self. There are many practices to develop one’s spirituality, to strengthen one’s connection with the transcendent. Prayer, meditation, yoga, chanting, or spending time in nature are good practices for the soul. These practices have been known to have a positive influence on physiological and psychological well-being.

Everything is connected. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Check-in

Notice what is going on inside “your house”. Observe, curiously. Don’t think about it. Don’t judge it. Just notice it, without riding a thought train out of the present moment, in which all we’re doing right now is noticing our inner atmosphere.

Simply checking-in is an important self-care practice. Because when we notice something, aka become aware of it, we can make adjustments to take care of ourselves.

With the typical busy, overloaded, overstimulated modern lifestyle, it is easy to neglect oneself, and not even notice until your body responds more boldly via health problems, chronic pain, sleep disorders, etc.

The key is to check in. “Hey, self, how are you?” And listen. Care.

Put it on your daily schedule- a morning, noon, and nightly pause of all physical and mental activity, to simply close your eyes and feel. Check-in with your inner-being.

Notice

Take a step back. Notice how you feel in all dimensions. Be honest with yourself. Be kind. Notice if your awareness, your presence, your consciousness has shifted into autopilot. It will absolutely happen. And that is ok. We are human. It’s life. We are not all enlightened beings. Perfection is not even the focus.

Simply notice when you have left the proverbial building and find your way back to the present. Where are you now, in body, mind, and spirit? Moment by moment, just keep coming back.

Conclusion

The practice of awareness helps to cultivate remembrance of our wholeness. Human beings are composed of a body, mind, and spirit. We are already whole. We just need to remember that.

Work on creating balance. Regularly check-in with yourself to notice when something is out of balance. This mindful awareness presents an opportunity to make adjustments in order to feel whole, light, and fresh.

Mindfulness is a practice that trains awareness. But awareness is not so much mind. It is consciousness. The practice is in learning to quiet the mind enough to transcend into this space of pure consciousness, pure awareness.

Bask in this blissful space.

I wish you peace along your journey.