Awareness: Discovering the Simplicity of Being
Have you ever noticed how states of mind come and go like passing clouds? Happiness, sadness, calmness, anxiety—they appear and disappear continuously. But have you ever paused to notice who experiences these states? It’s awareness, and this awareness isn’t something abstract or distant. It’s simply you, fully present right now.
Awareness isn’t a complicated or special state we need to reach. It’s the simple fact of knowing that we exist. You can’t deny your own existence; you’re aware right here, right now. Realizing this truth isn’t reserved for deep meditation or spiritual retreats—it can be recognized effortlessly throughout your daily life.
Many of us tend to idealize certain states of mind. We might believe that silence or peace is better than thoughts or chaos. But what happens when we treat silence as more sacred or pure than anxiety or sadness? We create an unnecessary struggle within ourselves. Instead, try recognizing that both silence and depression occur within awareness. Shift your attention gently between them and notice how each state simply arises and fades away. Doing this reveals something powerful: to awareness, everything is equal.
This recognition offers incredible freedom. When you see clearly that awareness holds every experience equally, your search for perfect states stops. You no longer chase magical experiences or spiritual highs. Instead, you find a stable peace that’s not dependent on achieving certain states of mind.
Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle captures this beautifully:
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”
This isn’t about reaching for a grand spiritual achievement. It’s about coming back again and again to the simple truth that you are aware, right now. In fact, awareness itself doesn’t care whether you’re anxious or serene. It doesn’t judge your personal flaws or applaud your achievements. Awareness is always neutral, always present.
The Bible touches on this profound simplicity in Psalm 46:10, saying:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
This stillness isn’t about sitting quietly in meditation for hours—although that’s fine if you enjoy it. Real stillness happens naturally when you recognize awareness itself. You don’t need special conditions or silence to experience this; it can be equally clear during an argument or while feeling stressed. The key is to notice the constant background of awareness, no matter what’s happening in your life.
Interestingly, when you stop trying to perfect your emotions or thoughts, something miraculous happens: everything naturally finds balance. Qualities like compassion, love, clarity, and fulfillment become more evident because they are inherent within awareness itself. They aren’t something you have to achieve; they’re already a part of your essential nature.
So, why exhaust yourself chasing perfect states or experiences? Release your striving and rest in the simple, undeniable fact of your existence. Relax your attempts to purify or fix yourself, and you’ll find that liberation and perfection naturally emerge. Awareness isn’t something distant or mystical—it’s as straightforward as the feeling of being here, right now.
In every moment, whether you’re experiencing joy or pain, remember that the stable factor is awareness itself. This spontaneous presence is always here, untouched by the fluctuations of mind. Embrace this simplicity, and you’ll discover peace and clarity naturally flowing through your everyday life.
Quote:
“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.” – Eckhart Tolle
“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” – Pema Chödrön
Spiritual Reference:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
Summary:
- You are the awareness in which all your thoughts and feelings arise and pass away, like clouds in the sky.
- Awareness is not something to be found “out there” but is your fundamental being, present right now.
- All states of mind, whether pleasant or unpleasant, are equally experienced within awareness; it doesn’t favor one over the other.
- Recognizing yourself as this stable awareness brings a steadiness that is not dependent on changing emotions or thoughts.
- The need to constantly seek and purify yourself naturally diminishes as you realize the inherent perfection of awareness.
- Qualities like peace, love, and clarity are intrinsic to awareness, your true nature.
Actions:
- Pause and Notice: Throughout your day, take short moments to simply notice what you are experiencing without judgment. What thoughts, feelings, or sensations are present?
- Identify with Awareness: Remind yourself that you are the awareness in which these experiences are happening, not the experiences themselves. Say to yourself, “I am aware of this thought,” or “I am aware of this feeling.”
- Observe Equanimity: When you notice a strong emotion (positive or negative), try to observe it as just another passing cloud in the sky of your awareness. See if you can hold it with the same level of attention as a neutral thought.
- Integrate Meditation and Life: If you meditate, bring the awareness you cultivate in meditation into your everyday activities. Notice how your inner and outer experiences both arise within the same awareness.
- Question the Need to Fix: When you feel the urge to change or improve yourself, gently question where that urge comes from. Consider the possibility that awareness is already whole and complete.
- Relax Your Seeking: Take some time to consciously let go of the constant striving for a different state of being. Rest in the simple recognition of “I am here,” and notice what arises in that stillness.