If we had perfect self-awareness all the time, what would
that be like? In my attraction classes, one of the practices is
to act "as-if" you already had what you desired. A
Buddhist teacher, Lama Ole Nydahl says it this way, "Act
like a buddha, until you become a buddha." So if you truly
desired self-awareness, to have that keep inner knowledge about
who you are and what you want, what would that look/feel/be
like?
Curiosity would be key. We would be curious about
ourselves, our feelings, our thoughts, our desires. We'd be open
to all new knowledge, no matter how painful or repulsive or
fleeting.
Our bodies would talk to us, freely and often. And we
would listen attentively and respond lovingly. We'd recognize
when the energy in our bodies is telling us "No, run away,
don't do that." or "Yes, that's perfect for you."
Maybe the body tells us through illness, the chronic pain or dis-ease
that something in our lives is way off-kilter. Or possibly it is
the little upset stomach every time we visit our boss or the
headache when faced with financial information. The body says
yes with a fluttery stomach or a whoosh of energy. Whatever our
body is telling us, we would listen.
We would be giant radar dishes looking in the deep space all
around us for things to be grateful for, small and large
miracles, every one a ping against the dish, falling into our
awareness, engendering deep gratitude. We would have
gratitude for everything just because it can occur.
We would be infinitely kind to ourselves in all
things. After all, we deserve nothing less, not only from
ourselves, but from everyone else as well. Lovingkindness would
be our personal creed.
We would believe in the marrow of our bones that we create
everything in our lives, good and bad. With that belief, we
would consciously create what we desire and what would most
further our inner evolution. We would create happiness all
around us for all we meet.
We would fully understand that right now in this very moment
we are creating our future. Cause and effect is alive and
well in our universe. Knowing that, we would choose ever so
wisely.
We would have a fully developed witness/higher self that
sees the ego for what it is; an outdated protector in overdrive,
still working off old patterns and programming and protecting a
little self that has grown up and evolved. This witness/higher
self would help us to gently let go of the ego as the driver of
our lives and put our wiser, higher self, which is always
clearly connected to Source, in charge.
We would be present right here and right now, in every
moment. After all, that is truly all we have as humans, the here
and now. We would grab the beauty and kindness and love that is
everywhere and take a pass on the pain and the ugliness.
Resistance would be a thing of the past because we have full
knowledge. Our bodies would have full flowing energy, no
areas of stuck-ness. Our minds would receive new
self-knowledge about anything and everything with love and joy
knowing that the thing we fear most has already happened.
We would look around us in awe and joy at all the love
and joy and peace that is everywhere, in everything, just
waiting to be noticed. In every small child's face, in the wings
of a butterfly, in the mountains, in a mud puddle, and through
pain.
And lastly, we would recognize that our moments are slipping
by, that our time here is temporary, and that every
moment counts as we make it count. We greet each moment as we
would a lover and relish it.
To bring us back to our original intention, how many of these
ways are you practicing today? Can you try each of these on,
like trying on a mask, until the mask fits perfectly and you
can't remove it? Remember, practice makes perfect, even in inner
evolution.
