1. Start Being More Present
This means participating in whatever activity you are engaged with 100% focus and attention. Remember, the “past” is nothing but previously experienced versions of what was the present, as the future is nothing but present moments that have not occurred yet. There really is nothing but a continual NOW, a forever stream of “present” moments, and once you start realizing this you start paying more attention to the NOW and can become a very conscious person.
This means participating in whatever activity you are engaged with 100% focus and attention. Remember, the “past” is nothing but previously experienced versions of what was the present, as the future is nothing but present moments that have not occurred yet. There really is nothing but a continual NOW, a forever stream of “present” moments, and once you start realizing this you start paying more attention to the NOW and can become a very conscious person.
2. When in the Shower, Really Experience It
A simple and fun way to start integrating “being present” is in the shower. Showering can be SO enjoyable, and I bet it has become a perfunctory activity in your life with much less enjoyment than it really deserves. You will thank me for this: next time you are in the shower really feel the hot water pouring over your head and body. Pay close attention to the sensation of soap and shampoo coursing on your skin. Notice the showerhead, curtain and tiles as if for the first time. This can be SO enlightening and enjoyable, and can get you on the path to living more consciously.
A simple and fun way to start integrating “being present” is in the shower. Showering can be SO enjoyable, and I bet it has become a perfunctory activity in your life with much less enjoyment than it really deserves. You will thank me for this: next time you are in the shower really feel the hot water pouring over your head and body. Pay close attention to the sensation of soap and shampoo coursing on your skin. Notice the showerhead, curtain and tiles as if for the first time. This can be SO enlightening and enjoyable, and can get you on the path to living more consciously.
3. Start Noticing People in a Different Manner
Most of us are on “automatic pilot” when it comes to our mindset concerning the people in our lives. Very rarely do we step out of our pre-existing perceptions of friends, co-workers and family and look at them in a different manner. But noticing people’s uniqueness can be a useful gateway to consciousness– start becoming aware of their voice, the way they walk, mannerisms etc…as if you are perceiving them for the first time. This will give you a fresh perspective.
Most of us are on “automatic pilot” when it comes to our mindset concerning the people in our lives. Very rarely do we step out of our pre-existing perceptions of friends, co-workers and family and look at them in a different manner. But noticing people’s uniqueness can be a useful gateway to consciousness– start becoming aware of their voice, the way they walk, mannerisms etc…as if you are perceiving them for the first time. This will give you a fresh perspective.
4. Notice Your Surroundings
Likewise, how often do you really notice your surroundings? I challenge you to take one full day and begin noticing all the unique features of your home, car, office, or wherever you spend a lot of time. You will be shocked when you start noticing colors, angles, sounds, etc…that you did not previously notice and were seemingly not there before. The thing is, they WERE there; you have just chosen to be conscious of them today. Learn from this exercise.
Likewise, how often do you really notice your surroundings? I challenge you to take one full day and begin noticing all the unique features of your home, car, office, or wherever you spend a lot of time. You will be shocked when you start noticing colors, angles, sounds, etc…that you did not previously notice and were seemingly not there before. The thing is, they WERE there; you have just chosen to be conscious of them today. Learn from this exercise.
5. Take a Different Angle
To take this a step further, a wonderful way to bring about consciousness is to intentionally change your angle and view on things. This may sound crazy, but next time you are home, stand on a table and start seeing your house in a different light. When at the office, stand on a desk, or even sit under one, to change perspective. How does this generate consciousness you may ask? Consciousness is all about awareness, and when you start seeing things from different angles you attain a wider understanding of them, and become more aware in general. Try it!
To take this a step further, a wonderful way to bring about consciousness is to intentionally change your angle and view on things. This may sound crazy, but next time you are home, stand on a table and start seeing your house in a different light. When at the office, stand on a desk, or even sit under one, to change perspective. How does this generate consciousness you may ask? Consciousness is all about awareness, and when you start seeing things from different angles you attain a wider understanding of them, and become more aware in general. Try it!
6. Take a Few Moments Each Day to be STILL
Stillness is essential for consciousness to transpire in your life. Your chatterbox thrives on activity and action, and persuades you to constantly be saying, thinking or doing something. Purposefully remaining still for a few minutes every day slows things down, and eventually helps you feel universal connection between all things.
Stillness is essential for consciousness to transpire in your life. Your chatterbox thrives on activity and action, and persuades you to constantly be saying, thinking or doing something. Purposefully remaining still for a few minutes every day slows things down, and eventually helps you feel universal connection between all things.
7. Really Taste and Savor Your Food
Eating consciously is an AWESOME way to increase your connection with the universe. I bet 99.9% of the time you eat you are not paying attention to your food. And I mean really paying attention—how does it taste and smell, and what is the essence of it? What is the sensation the food gives your mouth, throat and stomach? How do you feel after you are done eating? This type of food awareness can be powerful and ultra-enjoyable!
Eating consciously is an AWESOME way to increase your connection with the universe. I bet 99.9% of the time you eat you are not paying attention to your food. And I mean really paying attention—how does it taste and smell, and what is the essence of it? What is the sensation the food gives your mouth, throat and stomach? How do you feel after you are done eating? This type of food awareness can be powerful and ultra-enjoyable!
8. Pay Close Attention to Your Sense of Smell
I think smell is the lost sense of our time. Unless something smells excessively foul, or outrageously delicious, we very rarely focus our attention to the sense of smell. Another challenge—start smelling things! For one day begin to notice how your office, car, and home really smell. Start integrating this lost sense into your daily experiences, and gain a more well-rounded perception of the world you are ensconced.
I think smell is the lost sense of our time. Unless something smells excessively foul, or outrageously delicious, we very rarely focus our attention to the sense of smell. Another challenge—start smelling things! For one day begin to notice how your office, car, and home really smell. Start integrating this lost sense into your daily experiences, and gain a more well-rounded perception of the world you are ensconced.
9. Commit to Listening and Hearing Others
If smell is the lost sense, listening is the forgotten one. When we converse with people, our chatterbox is always preparing us for a response—it is actually very rare to be really listening to another person. Next time you are speaking to someone, notice this—see how your mind is busy at work forming a response to the other person’s language. Once you become aware of this, let it go and try just being there for them. Even if you have something relevant and pertinent to add, resist the temptation and just be there. This practice helps generate real connections with those in our lives, and is a gateway to conscious living.
If smell is the lost sense, listening is the forgotten one. When we converse with people, our chatterbox is always preparing us for a response—it is actually very rare to be really listening to another person. Next time you are speaking to someone, notice this—see how your mind is busy at work forming a response to the other person’s language. Once you become aware of this, let it go and try just being there for them. Even if you have something relevant and pertinent to add, resist the temptation and just be there. This practice helps generate real connections with those in our lives, and is a gateway to conscious living.
10. Start Paying Attention to Your Breath
The breath is an excellent place to start for realizing the universal connection between all things. Even if you do not consider yourself a spiritual person, commit to sitting in silence with your breath for at least 5 minutes each day. This is a very powerful exercise. Notice it flow into and out of your body, and just be present to its existence. Let the chatterbox in your head fade away and be present to the coolness of air rushing into the nostrils and the warmth of air exiting them.
The breath is an excellent place to start for realizing the universal connection between all things. Even if you do not consider yourself a spiritual person, commit to sitting in silence with your breath for at least 5 minutes each day. This is a very powerful exercise. Notice it flow into and out of your body, and just be present to its existence. Let the chatterbox in your head fade away and be present to the coolness of air rushing into the nostrils and the warmth of air exiting them.
11. Feel Your Body Parts
Similarly, feeling your body parts connects your mind and body in a very unique way, and helps expand your general consciousness. After taking a few deep breaths, start noticing your different body parts. Just feel blood flowing, heart pumping, and anything else that crosses the field of consciousness. Just be there with the body.
Similarly, feeling your body parts connects your mind and body in a very unique way, and helps expand your general consciousness. After taking a few deep breaths, start noticing your different body parts. Just feel blood flowing, heart pumping, and anything else that crosses the field of consciousness. Just be there with the body.
12. Meditate
Meditation is the practice of stillness and awareness, and helps create “gaps” of consciousness where the continuous voice of ego is put aside. Quieting the chatterbox is hard work, and the more you feel as if you don’t have the ability to meditate, the more cut off from universal connection you probably are…and the more you need the practice.
Meditation is the practice of stillness and awareness, and helps create “gaps” of consciousness where the continuous voice of ego is put aside. Quieting the chatterbox is hard work, and the more you feel as if you don’t have the ability to meditate, the more cut off from universal connection you probably are…and the more you need the practice.
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