copyright © 2002-2011 Conscious Path, LLC. All rights reserved.
Conscious Path™ is a trademark of Miguel Franco
Aware or Conscious? A clear distinction.
Is one of your resolutions to have the greatest year ever in 2010? If so, here is an insight that may help you in your pursuit. It is about the distinction between being aware and being conscious.
Let's use examples instead of definitions to explore this subtle but important distinction. Usually at this time of the year, all kinds of dreams, lists and goals float in people's minds and “gadgets” and it is a time of renewed enthusiasm for many. Let's take a look at three of the most common goals found on people's lists: weight/improved health, job/money and relationships.
Some people may be aware that they will feel and look better if they are ten pounds lighter or get their high blood pressure under control. But for some, just the thought of starting another diet or rejoining a gym can be very unsettling as many people who start a wellness program in January, give up shortly after without results. Awareness is not enough to create and sustain change.
Some may be aware of their need to improve cash flow. There are many ways to accomplish this - simplifying life, finding new jobs, getting an additional part time job, or starting a new venture. But for some, just the thought of transforming a lifestyle can be terrifying. What about preparing and sending out a resume and going for interviews? Others dream about being their own boss, but when faced with the challenge of planning a new business they freeze, especially when there is a history of failed attempts. Awareness alone is not enough to motivate and boost confidence.
What about relationships? Perhaps one is aware that something has shifted in a relationship causing uneasiness, but just the thought of initiating a dialogue with the other person to clear up misconceptions can be enough to stop one in his/her tracks. And what could have been a meaningful interaction may instead lead to more stress and even withdrawal. Awareness is not enough to open up communication.
Although these examples are very simplistic, can you see why awareness alone won’t propel change?
On the other hand, when one becomes fully conscious about the future possibilities of one’s status quo, one has a choice. When one is conscious that being overweight and having high blood pressure can increase the risk of a heart attack, one has the opportunity to make a choice. When one is conscious that without cash flow management one can feel trapped in an undesirable situation, dependent on an unfulfilling job, or miss out on a business opportunity, one has a choice. When one is conscious of the potential of a relationship, one has a choice to make it work or not. And choices either create action through desire, or complacency through fear. Complacency takes one back to the stage of awareness.
So, here is the Conscious Path perspective:- being conscious is about intentionally transforming awareness into desirable new options while creating structure for the sustainable action. A new consciousness takes place when there is an increase in one’s awareness towards future possibilities and its ramifications. This heightened awareness can then transform possibilities into probabilities through intention, new choices and action. And this is how new realities are created and experienced.
In order to change patterns that keep us stuck, the desire has to be greater than the fear. The process of boosting desire and dissolving fear can be exhilarating and highly transformational (Core Interactions Theory can be quite handy for it...). It also requires an increase in self-communication, being open to receive feedback, and a willingness to process new information, and put it into action. Then, as one enjoys a non-dualistic, empowering and exciting experience of freedom and connection, a shift in consciousness is created. The changes become real and sustained through repetition of the new thoughts and behaviors, which is what Self-Leadership is all about!
Now that you are aware of this subtle but important distinction, which choices are you consciously going to choose for 2010?
Copyright©2009 Miguel Franco
all rights reserved
