Awareness is not what you think

You may have the impression awareness grows over a period of perceived time.  To sense awareness is a changeless reality is to know change is an illusion created by ego mind that itself focuses on the external world.  Notice how ego grounds you in certain belief systems where it is controls you with fear. If consciousness only grows more subtle and refined, how does this effect what you feel and accept?

Watch the gatekeeper

Now is the moment to remember what it feels like to be increasingly present and aware. How often do you play games with the mind to explore its capabilities? Notice the insight you are gaining as you do so. Every moment, you decide what to let into the mind and what to keep out.  Thought and perception of past and future distract you from remembering who you are right now.  Consider how you act as a gatekeeper. 

Think until you outgrow it

Nobody has every encountered anything but a thought or projection of a thought.  One does not escape from now, but one may deny it or be distracted.  To be lost in thought is to forget the essence of being.

Perception combines feelings and sensations with judgment.  The inner judge introduces thought and tells you existence is based on structures and forms that you work out.  Curiously, everything is fine already. Time is irrelevant. As you ask, how do I still the mind? Mind tricks you to believe it is not already still.

In terms of form and linear time, you may not be able to add much more to your cv or identity. The mind-created sense of specialness or recognition may or may not be realized.  What is the point then, of obsessions with form, the search for things, engagement in endeavours? What is already transforming?

To feel the luminous, formless being is beyond thought, beyond a conceptual dream of personal history. Move beyond constant neediness and drama.  Awareness is stillness that exists beyond images and comparisons. It is not something you experience if you follow a course of action. Stop thinking to just be.

Reconnect with spontaneity

Notice the nature of soul-level spontaneity versus mind-driven motivation.  Which do you favor or ignore?  One way to deepen spiritual practice is to sense a journey to expand and serve others emerges from the innermost core. 

Take the example some people are inspired by altruism, that is the desire to serve.  Others are motivated to act based on fear or something in-between.  The world transforms through our changes in attitude, perception and behaviour.  Whether you choose to awaken to the nature of the essence of being and extent of energy flowing through you, is up to you.

Develop deeper understanding

It is said no person is born bias-free.  You may dream of nurturing perspectives other than those which focus the mind.  You may wonder how to work through your perceived belief systems and discard ingrained assumptions.  To be aware you have them may compel change. After all, you are self-determined and have power to shift the focus of your life.  Everything is a matter of perception and choice.

It can be helpful to explore and learn about people and situations.  Personal contact with people, traditions and ways of life that seem to differ from your own offer additional insight and realizing individuals are more than representatives of a stereotypical group reminds you of a common humanity.  Choose to sense deeper connections beyond distance and opposition.  Consider factors that can help you eliminate your own bias.  Reflect on your taste preferences and choices.  What do they reveal? How does it serve you to revise perception?