The Gift Of Consciousness
What better gift could you give to yourself or a loved one than the gift of consciousness? We are all familiar with the basic ideas surrounding this phenomenon, but few people think of it as something they can practice on a daily basis. In the most basic sense, this word refers to our awareness. It encompasses our own mind, our environment and our knowledge about the relationship we have to others. However, it is also a skill and a way of seeing the world. Some traditions have referred to it as “mindfulness” to distinguish it from ordinary forms of awareness. What is it and what can it do for us? Let’s explore the subject more deeply.
What Does Consciousness Bring Us in Life?
Consciousness, in this sense, is a form of consistent awareness of how we relate ourselves to one another. It is a recognition not only of the interdependence between individuals, co-workers, teams, and organizations, but also our understanding that we can work to improve these relationships. At work, this leads to high efficiency and productivity predicated upon mutual respect. Our respect for others and what they have to offer causes them to reciprocate and give us greater opportunities to contribute. A very similar effect is felt when one seeks to improve and enhance relationships using mindful thought. Others will recognize the love that we feel and wish to express. They will respond in a cooperative way that leads each person toward mutual goals.
How Does It Work?
It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that what we perceive is the whole of reality. However, you can improve and enhance your relationships in many wonderful ways by recognizing that there is a vast difference between each person’s perception. You can question others in a curious way, and do so with love and without judgment. It is difficult to change others’ minds forcefully through challenging them. Instead, focus on respect and love for their perspective and understand that some aspects of their perception can also illuminate you. Remember, you are not required to keep someone in your life with whom you do not feel a connection. Share the experiences you can, strive earnestly to learn, and move on when it is time to do so.
What Are the Benefits of Consciousness?
Would you like to enhance your relationships in this way beginning right now? Once you get started, you will easily find that devoting yourself to this kind of thinking builds your ability to make meaningful, effective decisions. Too often, we allow ourselves to go on “automatic” and end up responding to others in an unhelpful or self-serving way. We may not intend to do so, but our automatic responses are typically those most rooted in survival expectations. We have the ability to transcend this programming to receive the benefits of using our complete mind. When we do so, we strengthen our connection to others. In the workplace, this can come in the form of improving employee engagement and cultivating a true sense of dedication to an organization’s success.
Mindful thought can invigorate and energize you both personally and professionally. Although it may begin in our minds, the way that we show this mindfulness to others is through conscious acts of love and devotion. Modeling this way of relating to the world will make your workplace a haven for creative and innovative approaches to problems. It will encourage people to go further and work harder to realize their full potential. Likewise, it will help those around you invest in their personal relationships and transcend “survival” to create a more purposeful life.
