With the practice of self-discipline, a man begins to live.
- James Allen
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Practical Philosophy Blog
The five levels of Awareness
The
following
framework
gives
us
a
useful
perspective
on
the
levels
of
our
awareness,
many
of
which
we
experience
every
day.
Through
understanding
awareness
and
exploring
some
practices
we
may
be
able
to
better understand
the
changes
and effects
awareness
can
have.
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When Buddha was asked who he was he responded ‘I am awake’. He was referring to a higher consciousness than is usually available to people. All of us may have had one or two brief glimpses of this, often described as being at one, or a feeling of “unity”. |
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In
this
situation
every
impression
is
vivid,
full
of
life
and
colour.
We
are
not
dwelling
in
our
own
thoughts
or
imaginings,
but
we
are
awake
to
what
is
actually
happening
around
us.
There
is
a
connection
with
each
of
the
senses,
hearing,
touch,
sight,
taste
and
smell.
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A
common
situation:
we
are
engaged
in
the
various
activities
of
life
but
without
really
being
present.
E.g.
we
travel
from
one
place
to
another
but
are
unaware
of
almost
anything
that
took
place
in
between.
It
is
like
being
on
autopilot.
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When
we
are
asleep
at
night
we
may
have
sweet
dreams
or
nightmares.
Whilst
in
the
dream
it
seems
to
be
completely
real.
Sometimes
when
we
wake
up
the
dream
can
leave
an
after‐taste.
But
even
so,
when
we
wake
up,
we
know
it
was
a
dream.
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If
the
mind
is
troubled
deep
sleep
can
be
elusive,
but
really
nothing
could
be more
natural.
All
our
hopes
and
fears,
our
triumphs
and
disasters,
our
personalities
and
so
on
come
to
rest.
We
know
nothing
more
than
that
it
was
a
good
sleep.
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This unchanging state of Higher Consciousness is one with which we can connect. It lies beyond all the usual thoughts that we may have about ourselves or others. It is a deep and powerful stillness within us.
One thing that prevents this recognition lies in the fixed ideas and ingrained attitudes that the mind may have. Socrates used to challenge these, especially when they assumed the form of ‘I know’, by continuously questioning what it was people thought they did know. This helped both to dislodge false ideas and to discover what was true. This process has become known as the Socratic method and is extraordinarily effective.
Foster the spirit of inquiry, like Socrates. Be interested in everything. Connect with the senses, come into the present...
When you become quiet, it just dawns on you.
- Thomas Edison