Awarness...

Most of us like to use our minds to figure out things, so let's use the mind to explore the concept of Awareness.

Our mind tells us that we can't be the same thing as the object we are aware of. Thus, as you look at your computer, you are aware of the computer.

It is thus safe to say that if you are aware of your computer, you can't be your computer. Similarly, if you are aware of your desk right now, you can't be your desk.

If you see a car on the street and are aware of it, then you can't be that car.

Now let's consider your body. Right now, are you aware of your body? Of course, the answer is "Yes;" you're aware of your body. Even if you didn't have physical sight, you would be aware of your body.

Well, if you are aware of your body, then you can't be your body.

Are you aware of your thoughts? Yes.

If you are aware of your thoughts, you can't be your thoughts.

Are you aware of your emotions, such as happiness or sadness?
Yes.

If you are aware of your emotions, you can't be your emotions.

What then are YOU?

Think about this again. Can you be the thing you are aware of?

I realize this sounds a bit tricky. Yet it certainly seems that there is an Awareness, a non-physical presence, that is aware of your body, as well as your thoughts and emotions.

Some of you might be a step ahead and think that this Awareness or Consciousness is located inside the skull, and is a function of the brain. This has been analyzed by scientists
and those who have devoted much of their lives to spirituality, and the majority of these people have come to the conclusion that Awareness is NOT localized in the brain..

By the way, even if you believe that Awareness is inside your brain, how do you explain what happens when the body dies? Does Awareness or Consciousness leap out of the brain at the
moment of death? While I can accept (and even embrace) the view that Awareness or Spirit is everlasting, it seems awfully difficult to believe that the essence of us is lodged in the
brain during life and then is suddenly freed from the brain at death.

Let's look at this from another angle. If, as quantum physicists tell us, ALL matter is composed of vibrating subatomic particles in 99.9% empty space, that means our brain
is composed of vibrating particles in EMPTY space. How can anything be located "inside" empty space?

If you're confused, welcome to the club. The mind likes to ignore those bits of information that don't fit neatly into its preconceived beliefs. This inquiry invites you into the unknown, which can be very scary at first.

Our sense of Awareness has another fascinating quality I'd like you to examine. Think of something that worries you and makes you feel very anxious. Get that feeling of fear in the
pit of your stomach.

Once you have the feeling in place, just observe the feeling as an impartial observer. Don't judge it, or try to get rid of it. Allow it to be there. Just observe it as if you are a witness to the feeling.

Are you able to observe the fear as if you are a bystander? You have the ability to do that.

Here's an interesting conclusion you may reach: the part of you that is observing the fear is NOT afraid. In other words, it appears that a casual observer is the "one" observing "your" fear.

The same thing happens if you are angry - and you just observe your feelings of anger. The entity observing the anger is NOT angry. It seems to be impartial.

What is that part of YOU that is doing this impartial observing? How is it that I can be angry and yet some part of me can watch or observe that feeling, while somehow being "detached" from the anger?

Not an easy thing to figure out right away. Yet, if you are honest with yourself, you will eventually come to the conclusion that there is something in the background, all the
time, that seems to be Aware or Conscious of everything going on. When we are caught up in our thoughts and emotions, we aren't aware of this Awareness. But that doesn't mean it isn't there. It is always there.

The concept of Awareness or Consciousness is often discussed in many of the Eastern religions and spiritual traditions, where the principle of non-duality (Oneness) is popular. Those who endorse non-duality believe that your true nature is not a physical body - but Awareness or Consciousness itself - and that all physical matter arises within this field of Awareness.

Even if you think these ideas are far-fetched, I think you'll find that when examined, there IS some mysterious Awareness that is always in the background. It doesn't matter what religion you follow; it has nothing to do with religion. This Awareness is present regardless of what you may believe about it, or if you choose to ignore it.