What is Consciousness & How do you Open it Up?
|
“It takes courage… to endure the sharp pains of self discovery rather than choose to take the dull pain of unconsciousness that would last the rest of our lives.” - Marianne Williamson
Medical vs Spiritual Definitions of ConsciousnessA doctor would say that if someone is 'conscious', then are aware and responsive of themself, their bodily sensations and to their environment.
|
|
So medically speaking, consciousness denotes the feeling of being alert and aware, rather than not aware, which would be unconscious, like a person in a coma or knocked out from a boxing fight.
This same premise can be applied to the spiritual idea of consciousness, where we talk about being awake and aware.
What is Spiritual Consciousness?
Spiritual consciousness is being aware on a higher level. It is a higher state of consciousness or awareness, but you do not need to be a guru in a cave to achieve it. Anyone can by taking a few quick, simple steps, which I show you further below.
With spiritual consciousness, you are not necessarily turning on the usual physical body or brain parts in order to be aware in the normal way, but rather you are accessing a very natural state of being, a kind of alternative awareness, a sixth sense, or more open awareness that allows us to see beyond the illusions or lower vibrations of ordinary reality, and into the truth and higher realms of non-ordinary reality.
You open up to a greater 'awareness' so to speak, far greater than the concrete, physical awareness.
With spiritual consciousness, you are not necessarily turning on the usual physical body or brain parts in order to be aware in the normal way, but rather you are accessing a very natural state of being, a kind of alternative awareness, a sixth sense, or more open awareness that allows us to see beyond the illusions or lower vibrations of ordinary reality, and into the truth and higher realms of non-ordinary reality.
You open up to a greater 'awareness' so to speak, far greater than the concrete, physical awareness.
The Higher Level of Consciousness
Awakening is all about consciousness. It is reaching a higher level.
In higher terms, when you are conscious, you are mindful, aware and present. It is awake-ness, being-ness, and being in the 'Now'. You enter a kind of resonance that is heightened and expanded.
Being conscious is being aware of yourself. It is the understanding of the ancient philosophy "I think, therefore I am!"
It is the "I Am" presence that people talk about, and the higher awareness that realizes you are thinking and then questions who you are, as you realize that the higher consciousness you are observing from is separate to your thoughts. It is an awareness outside of the concrete limitations of the 3D world.
With spiritual awareness, you are connected more to who you truly are and the truth of life beyond the veils where you sense, on a higher level, that everything is connected.
In higher terms, when you are conscious, you are mindful, aware and present. It is awake-ness, being-ness, and being in the 'Now'. You enter a kind of resonance that is heightened and expanded.
Being conscious is being aware of yourself. It is the understanding of the ancient philosophy "I think, therefore I am!"
It is the "I Am" presence that people talk about, and the higher awareness that realizes you are thinking and then questions who you are, as you realize that the higher consciousness you are observing from is separate to your thoughts. It is an awareness outside of the concrete limitations of the 3D world.
With spiritual awareness, you are connected more to who you truly are and the truth of life beyond the veils where you sense, on a higher level, that everything is connected.
They say that ignorance is bliss, but apart from some lazy blotto head Netflix binge-watching days, I'd prefer to be awake, aware and and in the state of a higher consciousness, than in a lower consciousness where I am more blinded and susceptible to the illusions of life.
Higher Consciousness is Expansion. Lower Consciousness is Contraction
One way to really get a handle of what consciousness is and feels like from an energy perspective, is to consider the notion of expansion vs contraction.
David Lynch puts it well:
"If you have a golf ball size consciousness, when you read a book, you'll have a golf ball size understanding, when you look out, a golf ball size awareness. And when you wake up in the morning, a golf ball size wakefulness.
But if you could expand that consciousness, then you read the book, more understanding. You look out, more awareness. And when you wake up, more wakefulness.
It's consciousness, and there's an ocean of pure, vibrant consciousness inside each one of us, and right at the source and base of mind, right at the source of thought, and its also the source of all matter... and all matter emerges from this field."
"If you have a golf ball size consciousness, when you read a book, you'll have a golf ball size understanding, when you look out, a golf ball size awareness. And when you wake up in the morning, a golf ball size wakefulness.
But if you could expand that consciousness, then you read the book, more understanding. You look out, more awareness. And when you wake up, more wakefulness.
It's consciousness, and there's an ocean of pure, vibrant consciousness inside each one of us, and right at the source and base of mind, right at the source of thought, and its also the source of all matter... and all matter emerges from this field."
I'd rather have an expansive perception and experience of things, than a limited golf ball size view. And as an Energy Healer, I understand exactly what expansion means. When your body, mind and spiritual / energetic self are expanded, you are open and free. When you are contracted, you are closed, restricted and clenched up. It makes you shrink. Expansion allows for a higher vibration. Contraction lowers it.
The 4 Functions of Consciousness
Consciousness is all about how you apprehend reality. According to Jung, the 4 functions of consciousness are:
• Intuition
• Feeling
• Thinking
• Sensation
• Intuition
• Feeling
• Thinking
• Sensation
For the intuitive componant, consciousness, simply put, is the 'awareness', the 'tapping in' so to speak in an expanded way, of the energetic information highway that is all around us - the ENERGY of ALL.
There is a deep, profound expansion and magnification, and once you hold up that looking glass, you see. But it does take you being aware of your senses.
Higher consciousness is a deep, powerful, spiritual awareness where ones receptors, sensors, antennas, energy centres and intuition are in an awakened state. They are attuned, heightened and 'open'.
It is like being 'awake' on a higher level of awareness. It takes higher thought, feeling and sensation all being active at once.
There is a deep, profound expansion and magnification, and once you hold up that looking glass, you see. But it does take you being aware of your senses.
Higher consciousness is a deep, powerful, spiritual awareness where ones receptors, sensors, antennas, energy centres and intuition are in an awakened state. They are attuned, heightened and 'open'.
It is like being 'awake' on a higher level of awareness. It takes higher thought, feeling and sensation all being active at once.
How do You Open Up Your Consciousness?How do you awaken your spiritual consciousness? Opening up your consciousness and awareness does not need to be complicated at all. It is easier than you think. That is because the thinking part that makes you feel like its hard is your rational ego brain.
Put that part of your brain aside for now, and partake in three quick, simple exercises that ask you to: 1. Be conscious of your breathing 2. Be aware of your awareness 3. Drop your consciousness into your heart Let's take a look: |
|
Technique 1: Conscious Breathing
This exercise is about being conscious of your breathing.
There is something about breathing that connects us to life, and breathing is a part of our consciousness. We receive our very first breath as our physical initiation into this world as a baby, and our very last breath when we die. The unconscious breaths are the breaths that your body just takes on autopilot, without thinking,
Spiritual breaths are where you breathe in a conscious state of being, and often the mindfulness of your breaths will also put you in a state of higher consciousness.
There is something about breathing that connects us to life, and breathing is a part of our consciousness. We receive our very first breath as our physical initiation into this world as a baby, and our very last breath when we die. The unconscious breaths are the breaths that your body just takes on autopilot, without thinking,
Spiritual breaths are where you breathe in a conscious state of being, and often the mindfulness of your breaths will also put you in a state of higher consciousness.
Technique 2: Be Aware You are Aware
This exercise is about placing your awareness on your awareness, in order for you to be awake and aware.
It is very simple.
It starts with being aware that you are aware, and taking some mindful breaths and opening up your senses.
There you are - alive, conscious, breathing, aware, taking in the magic of life.
You are there. Easy as that.
It is very simple.
It starts with being aware that you are aware, and taking some mindful breaths and opening up your senses.
There you are - alive, conscious, breathing, aware, taking in the magic of life.
You are there. Easy as that.
Technique 2: Drop into Your Heart
This exercise is about dropping your consciousness into your heart.
Simply close your eyes, breathe and allow your consciousness to drop into your heart. Send your awareness down to this area.
Feel those wonderful love vibrations there. Spend some time on his wonderful feeling.
Now open your eyes, look around you with this heartfelt reverie, expand it outwards, see it everywhere and in everything, all is one and you are there.
For a more in depth look on developing consciousness, visit my article: Developing Conscious Awareness
Simply close your eyes, breathe and allow your consciousness to drop into your heart. Send your awareness down to this area.
Feel those wonderful love vibrations there. Spend some time on his wonderful feeling.
Now open your eyes, look around you with this heartfelt reverie, expand it outwards, see it everywhere and in everything, all is one and you are there.
For a more in depth look on developing consciousness, visit my article: Developing Conscious Awareness
Both of those techniques also help you raise your vibration.
The Effects of Opening Your Consciousness
"Wherever you walk, the whole Universe walks with you. It will work with you better when you become consciously aware of it." - Petas of the Heart, by Srinivas Arka
As your consciousness and entire being expands and awakens, the universe responds and engages with you, it is a reciprocating effect. Things start to happen as the world around you seems enhanced on all levels.
All your senses are open and aware. A new energy emerges and your physical, mental, emotional and energetic bodies are in a higher state of being.
Why? Because you are consciously merging with the universal flow of energy, that ocean that we are all connected to and a part of.
All your senses are open and aware. A new energy emerges and your physical, mental, emotional and energetic bodies are in a higher state of being.
Why? Because you are consciously merging with the universal flow of energy, that ocean that we are all connected to and a part of.
"We become illuminated and illuminating when we are living and breathing in higher levels of conscious awareness." – Natalia Kuna
Something magical happens in that process of mindful breathing.
When a person is on the path of exploring the magic that a higher consciousness brings, they undergo a series of energetic change and transformation, they become more open and receptive.
In that state, they are a magnet to the signs and synchronicities of spirit that abound, and able to receive heightened inspiration and energetic downloads of information.
When a person is on the path of exploring the magic that a higher consciousness brings, they undergo a series of energetic change and transformation, they become more open and receptive.
In that state, they are a magnet to the signs and synchronicities of spirit that abound, and able to receive heightened inspiration and energetic downloads of information.
Maybe you've had a glimpse of 'being' in this 'higher state' when you had an 'aha moment' as
Oprah likes to call it - an epithany, a revelation, a candle glow in the dark moment of awareness, insight, enlightened clicking.
The idea of consciousness that I am talking about here is an invitation to hold that magical
state of being, that sense of one foot on land and another on air, longer.
It starts with a single thought.
|
|
|
