Awake and Aware

...all mystics-Catholic, Christian, non-Christian, no matter what their theology, no matter what their religion - are unanimous on one thing: that all is well, all is well. Though everything is a mess, all is well. Strange paradox, to be sure. But tragically, most people never get to see that all is well because they are asleep. They are having a nightmare.-- (Anthony Demello, Awareness)

It is said that soon after his enlightenment the Buddha passed a man on the road who was struck by the Buddha's extraordinary radiance and peaceful presence. The man stopped and asked, "My friend, what are you? Are you a celestial being or a god?" "No, "said the Buddha."Well, then, are you some kind of magician or wizard?" Again, the Buddha answered, "No." "Well, my friend, then what are you?" The Buddha replied, "I am awake."

According to Anthony Demello, "Being awake means being aware." Most of the time, we really are not aware, meaning our eyes are not fully open to see what is really going on around us and within us. We have eyes, but we don't see, as Jesus put it. What we see is our conditioned and programmed version of reality colored by imperfect perceptions, prejudices, fears, judgments, concepts, and labels that taint the plain truth of what lies before us and within us.

A concept or label omits something that is precious and unique that is only found in unfiltered reality. The great Indian sage, Krishnamurti recognized the costs of languaging reality when he said, "The day you teach the child the name of the bird, the child will never see that bird again." Before the child has the word for this creature it observes its uniqueness and takes in its variety of color, shape, movements, behavior with open curiosity. Once the child is given the name for this creature, it will readily name the next sighting and cease to observe with the same open perception.

Our awakening to greater God consciousness is a sowing and reaping process; of more of this and less of that. We awaken through acquisition of experience, and by letting go of conditioned mind patterns. This is what Jesus referred to as the need to "become as little children" in order to enter the kingdom. We learn to label in order to comprehend and communicate about our world, and we must abandon those labels if we wish to fully embrace and enjoy our world.

Because we are spiritual beings in a physical universe, we have the innate capacity to witness our reality in a present, aware state of mind. We are in the world but not of it when our awareness of life takes precedence over our reactions to life. When I can remain aware of the part of me that observes my life experiences, I remain connected to the part of me that is spacious, changeless, and invulnerable. Then whether I gain (or lose) the whole world, I do not lose my soul sense. I am not carried away by victory or upended by defeat. I am able to stay centered in the big picture, able to recognize the interconnectedness of life, and awake to infinite possibilities. In this aware state, I am more likely to meet life situations with curiosity, resourcefulness, and creativity. I am more likely to conclude that despite all appearances, all is well.