What is awareness?
In the context of living from freedom, awareness is the fundamental aspect of your being—the constant, unchanging presence that notices everything happening in your experience. It is the space in which thoughts, emotions, sensations, and perceptions arise and subside, yet it is not defined or altered by them.
Key Aspects of Awareness
- Awareness Is Always Present
- No matter what you’re thinking, feeling, or experiencing, awareness is there as the underlying observer. It is not something you create or achieve—it’s what is always present in the background of every moment.
- For example: When a thought like “I’m stressed” arises, awareness is the silent knowing of that thought. When stress fades, awareness remains.
- Awareness Is Not the Content of the Mind
- Awareness is distinct from the thoughts, emotions, and sensory experiences that appear within it. These events are temporary—they come and go—but awareness itself is stable and unchanging.
- Think of awareness as the sky and thoughts/emotions as passing clouds. The sky doesn’t cling to or resist the clouds—it simply allows them to be.
- Awareness Is Your True Nature
- In this context, awareness is synonymous with your true self. It is the aspect of you that exists beyond identification with labels, beliefs, or roles. It is not a concept that can be communicated but a direct experience of being.
- Awareness Doesn’t Judge or Resist
- Awareness is neutral and open. It doesn’t judge experiences as good or bad, nor does it resist what arises. It simply notices everything as it is.
- For example: If you feel anger, awareness doesn’t reject the anger or label it as wrong. It observes the sensation of anger without adding layers of judgment or narrative.
- Awareness Is the Key to Freedom
- By recognizing that you are awareness—not the transient contents of your mind—you naturally detach from over-identifying with thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. This detachment fosters a profound sense of freedom, peace, and ease because you’re no longer swept away by every mental or emotional wave.
Why Awareness Matters in Living from Freedom
- Awareness Transcends Mental Suffering
- Suffering often arises from identifying with negative thoughts or emotions (“I am anxious,” “I am not enough”). Awareness allows you to observe these states without becoming entangled in them, reducing their grip on you.
- Awareness Anchors You in the Present Moment
- When you shift attention to awareness, you naturally become more present. The stories of the past and worries about the future lose their intensity, creating space for clarity and calmness.
- Awareness Allows Authentic Responses
- From awareness, you can respond to life rather than react habitually. It creates a pause between stimulus and action, enabling choices that align with your true nature.
How to Recognize Awareness
- Pause and Notice
- Close your eyes for a moment. Notice the thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations present. Now, notice the part of you that is aware of these experiences. That’s awareness.
- Shift from Content to Space
- Instead of focusing on what is happening (the thought, emotion, or sensation), shift attention to the space in which it’s happening. Awareness is the space, not the content.
- Recognize Its Continuity
- Whether you’re happy, sad, busy, or still, awareness is always there. It’s the constant background, regardless of your mood or circumstances.
Key Takeaway
Awareness is the essence of who you are beyond thoughts, emotions, and external identities. It is true you, the unchanging presence that allows you to see, experience, and respond to life with openness and freedom. Recognizing this awareness is at the heart of living from freedom, as it liberates you from identifying with transient mental states and opens the door to authentic living.
