How does one become aware? It is a word used by all of us, constantly. But are we aware? How does one practice awareness? Here one concentrates on a symbol. What happens now is that one’s mind after a while starts becoming distracted and inattentive. One feels uncomfortable sitting. There is a mosquito buzzing near one’s ears. The mind behaves like a prancing monkey.

So, one has to keep bringing one’s attention back to the symbol. One has to keep one’s attention, unwavering. It is like a straight line, with no curves. Then comes anubhuti, and, and (knowledge from any source but memory), non-dual awareness. Non-duality is a way of living life, whereby in each moment you feel your interconnectedness with everyone and everything around you. The form of the symbol remains and the consciousness is transformed. Inner awareness is awareness of the symbol.

How can we develop awareness?

We watch our breath, inhalation, exhalation. Concentrate on the breath flowing in through both nostrils. Visualize it and now count it. Watching the breath, you are engaged in a neutral activity. You are a witness. Then you are concentrating on counting your inhalations and exhalations. You count backwards from 54 to 0. 54 in and 54 out. Make no mistakes. You are now concentrating on the counting. You are engaged in a neutral activity, you are aware of your breath, you are visualizing your inhalations and you are concentrating on the counting. Therefore, your mind is in a straight line and it is not running around.

Next you can select a symbol and continue the practice, with visualizing it. No pressure must be applied. If you make an error, you start again.

Try it and see how centered you become. It also affects your behavior, as your thoughts are not ruling your mind. You can practice it several times a day. This is the Yoga of Awareness.

Aim Hrim Klim

Photo by Dingzeyu Li on Unsplash