Cultivating Awareness

Consciousness is one of the great mysteries of life.

For centuries the brightest minds in science, medicine, philosophy, and anthropology have debated what it is and why we possess it.

That we can perceive, reflect, evaluate, imagine, conclude, and act rationally on what we think are truly remarkable aspects of what it means to be human.

While demonstrating various types and levels of intelligence, the animal world largely depends on instinct. We, however, have the incredible gift of a highly-developed consciousness.

One of the more significant aspects of consciousness is awareness. Awareness is vital in helping us navigate all of life, particularly our relationships.

I want to suggest that awareness can and should be developed in 4 critical areas:

1. Self Awareness

This refers to the level of consciousness we possess in relation to what’s going on inside us. It’s an awareness of our own thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and impressions.

This includes the ability to accurately identify our emotions, locate the source of our emotions, and reflect on the impact those emotions have on us and others.

Self-awareness allows us to tune in to our self-talk and observe the effect of our presence and behaviour on the people around us.

It’s worth noting that self-awareness differs from self-consciousness in that the latter is often fuelled by negative feelings like guilt, shame, fear, and self-doubt.

Self-consciousness tends to be self-focussed, even self-obsessed at times.

Being aware of others is difficult when you are acutely conscious of yourself.

Self-awareness, on the other hand, allows you to be aware of yourself without being distracted by yourself and, thereby, more present for others.

Cultivating self-awareness requires a willingness to invite others to “hold up the mirror” for us so we can see ourselves in a new way.

Sometimes, we need people who can see what we can’t see to help us know what we don’t know.

Pursuing self-awareness also requires that we develop the ability to stand as witnesses to our own lives.

Sitting at the feet of our experiences and reflecting upon them for the sake of learning can be a powerfully transformative experience.

2. Spatial Awareness

This refers to the level of consciousness we possess in relation to what’s located around us. It’s an awareness of the physical environment we find ourselves in.

People with a high level of spatial awareness are acutely attuned to their surroundings.

They notice things like the appropriateness (or inappropriateness) of the air temperature in the room, the insufficiency of the level of lighting, trip hazards, anomalies, and essential items that might be missing from the space.

They also have a remarkable ability to create warm, welcoming, safe, and functional spaces.

By contrast, people with low levels of spatial awareness tend not to notice the subtle changes to the external world around them that might affect people’s comfort levels.

They may seem to be bumping into furniture or knocking over glasses with unusual regularity.

Sometimes, they lack depth perception or the ability to visualise a space in their imagination.

Cultivating spatial awareness requires an intentional effort to pay attention to one’s own senses.

Being mindful of what you see, hear, smell, taste and feel around you will help raise your level of consciousness of the physical space you are in and the impact of that space on you and others.

3. Situational (or Social) Awareness

This refers to the level of consciousness we possess in relation to what’s taking place interpersonally around us. It’s an awareness of the emotional and relational environment.

Situational awareness allows us to read body language, notice emotional distress in others, and pick up on the tension or connection that might exist between parties.

People with low levels of situational awareness tend to be oblivious to the verbal and non-verbal cues being communicated by the people around them. They struggle to read the emotional temperature of the room.

Developing situational awareness requires that we become students of body language and curious about interpersonal dynamics.

Understanding emotional and relational intelligence theories will also alert us to the various dynamics that can exist between people.

Noticing emotions and behaviours in others and exploring their origin by asking good questions will help deepen our understanding of those we live and work with.

4. Spiritual Awareness

This refers to the level of consciousness we possess in relation to what’s taking place beyond the sensory realm, in what we call the metaphysical. It includes, but is not limited to, basic intuition and discernment.

Spiritual awareness also involves a kind of cosmic consciousness.

By that, I mean understanding what’s happening at the macro level of human existence and becoming attuned to the collective human consciousness.

Growing in this kind and level of awareness requires an expanding knowledge of the history of our philosophical journey as a species and the language and frameworks of the various faith traditions that have shaped our existence.

People with high levels of spiritual awareness understand the broad sweep of social, cultural, philosophical, and ideological forces that have guided us thus far as a species.

Limitations and Awareness

It’s important to recognise and acknowledge that our capacity for cultivating awareness is, to some degree, determined by factors of nature and nurture that are beyond our control.

Some people simply do not have the ability to be aware or to grow in awareness due to genetic pre-conditions, delayed cognitive development, brain injuries, trauma, emotional immaturity, or a host of other reasons.

In such instances, it is the responsibility of those who are aware of those limitations to create caring communities of friendship and faith that support others who, for whatever reason, are not capable of being more fully aware, and are therefore somewhat vulnerable.

For everyone else, cultivating awareness at all four levels is a growth opportunity that ensures we develop holistically and are empowered to respond effectively to the world around us and within us.

So, how would you rate your level of awareness in all four categories? And what could you do to raise each level?