In a world consumed by doing, achieving, and becoming, it’s easy to forget the simple but profound truth: at your core, you are not the ‘doer’ but rather the ‘awareness’ that witnesses both the doing and the doer. You’re not just the writer writing this article; you’re also the awareness witnessing the writing. You’re not just the reader reading these words; you’re the awareness making note of your thoughts, emotions, and actions as you read. What could possibly be the benefit of acknowledging this subtle yet transformative understanding? Let’s delve into the concept of turning our attention inward on awareness itself, a practice that has roots in various philosophical and spiritual traditions around the world.

You Are Not Your Thoughts, Emotions, or Actions

Most people identify strongly with their thoughts, emotions, and actions. “I’m sad,” “I’m thinking,” “I’m doing” — these statements place us firmly within the arena of doing. However, have you ever considered who or what is aware of the sadness, the thoughts, or the actions? If you can observe your emotions and thoughts, then obviously ‘you’ are not those things but the one observing them.

The Observing Self

The idea that we are the ‘observing self’ or ‘awareness’ watching the phenomena of life, including our inner thoughts and feelings, is a cornerstone of many spiritual and philosophical traditions. In Hindu philosophy, this is known as the ‘Atman’; in Buddhism, it’s akin to ‘mindfulness’ or the observing nature of the mind; and in Western philosophy, it echoes the ‘Cogito, ergo sum’ (“I think, therefore I am”) of Descartes, albeit with a non-dualistic twist.

Benefits of Turning Attention Inward on Awareness

1. Enhanced Self-Control: When you are aware that you are not your impulses or fleeting emotions, it becomes easier to exercise self-control.
2. Reduced Stress: Stress often arises from either ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. Turning your attention inward on awareness itself anchors you in the present moment.
3. Greater Emotional Resilience: When you don’t identify with your emotions, you are not swayed by them as strongly. You can face life’s ups and downs with a balanced perspective.
4. Clarity of Thought: By acknowledging that you are the observer and not the thought itself, it becomes easier to detach from mental clutter and see things more clearly.
5. Inner Peace: When you’re rooted in awareness, a deep sense of peace emerges, independent of external circumstances.

How to Practice Self-Awareness

1. Mindfulness Meditation: Spend time every day sitting quietly and observing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations without judgment.
2. Reflective Journaling: Writing down your thoughts and then taking the position of an observer can give you new insights into your behaviors and beliefs.
3. Questioning the Self: Regularly ask yourself questions like “Who is experiencing this emotion?” or “Who is thinking this thought?” This practice of self-inquiry can lead to a deeper understanding of your true nature as awareness.
4. Mindful Activities: Whether it’s washing dishes, walking, or any other daily task, try to perform it with full awareness, acknowledging that you are not the doer but the observer.

Closing Thoughts

Turning your attention inward on awareness itself is not just philosophical navel-gazing; it’s a transformative practice that can change how you experience life. The realization that you are the awareness witnessing all experiences and not merely the doer has the potential to liberate you from many of the constraints that society and your own thoughts have placed upon you. As you practice this form of deep self-awareness, you may find that you’re not just living your life but also truly witnessing it, providing a richer, fuller experience that has been there all along, waiting to be discovered.

the sun through a fishhook eye

article prompt engineuro: OpenAI

copy/paste :

blog about; Turning Your Attention Inward On Awareness Itself. Discuss how you are the Awareness witnessing all experiences. Because you can be aware of the 'doing' and the 'doer' that makes the real you the Self Awareness.

text-to-images at Tao.Studio – prompt: the sun through a fishhook eye

learn more about $TAO at bittensor.com

stay up to date with Inner I Network;