Self Awareness

In Senior Living Skills the focus has turned to consciousness.  Unlike when we are asleep and just wandering around, self consciousness is the attainment of that level of consciousness necessary for learning to take place.  Self awareness occurs when we are paying attention to our self and our surroundings.

Test yourself.  How much attention do you pay to things that are happening around you?  Notice when you are not paying attention.  Discover what puts you to sleep or gives you permission to “check out.”  Often, when we are willing to look into our behaviors we will discover that negative emotions and self love are the impediments to self awareness.

Many spiritual traditions, including Buddhism, develop ways to focus one’s attention and to learn to better live in the moment.  It’s a  matter of learning to truly be present.  Self awareness is vital to carry out the practice of the twelfth step.  It’s your task to pay attention in a attuned manner to the other person.  Likewise, you’ll never be able to practice these principles in all your affairs if you lack self awareness.