Maybe this is true. Maybe we are a society like “The Matrix”, forever submerged in a state of apathy. An inner atmosphere in which we quench emotional voids through the pleasure of food. In which we alleviate loneliness with ephemeral relationships. Where we limit ourselves to avoiding boredom by a momentary catharsis using the games on our phones or PCs. Maybe….
Some people might see it this way. However, something is becoming more and more clear. Many people actually try to give an authentic meaning to their existence. To do this, they don’t hesitate to improve themselves through reading, therapy, and taking advantage of different psychological perspectives through which they may find “insight” or “enlightenment” in order to disconnect from the mundane and achieve the extraordinary.
We urge you to reflect upon it. We urge you to wake up!
Awareness, a necessary step in our personal development
In psychotherapy, one of the primary aspects in the healing process is without a doubt making the individual aware of the problems which generate their discomfort. When you go to a psychologist’s office, usually you are very clear on what the external sources of your discomfort and unhappiness are. My partner doesn’t understand me. My parents overwhelm me. My boss undervalues me. I don’t have a job and society seems to have forgotten about me…
However, a good professional should always accompany that individual towards new inner “awakenings”. In these, therapists will confer to their patients a more full and authentic control over their lives. Now, this isn’t precisely an easy process.
It takes some time to reach what is referred to in Gestalt Therapy as “awareness” (noticing or becoming aware of something). Or something that the Nippon culture translates as “satori”, a process of profound comprehension that requires the removal of rusted layers in order to surpass all of the blocks that keep our authentic being from emerging. Our authentic essence which is still asleep, dormant.
Awareness was also a key aspect in Piaget’s theories.
He defined awareness as that delicate and complex process we all go through from the instrumental knowledge of our reality to a much more intimate, abstract and significant conceptualization of things. Nowadays, these approaches are still very present. Approaches that are deeply rooted into that
idea of “awakening”, that comprehension or “insight” that the very Lao Tse defined in 4 stages. These were sleep, vigil, self-conscience and objective conscience.
As you can see, it’s all about an inner journey, very similar to the one Plato described in the myth of the cavern. It is going through the universe of sensations, self-deceit and shadows to a much more elevated, free and authentic sphere. Up next, we will explain how to achieve this.
The relief of awakening or reconstruction
A second ago, we quoted Piaget. In his texts about genetic psychology, he quotes a concept that could be of great use to us: the cognitive unconscious. Although it might remind us at first of the Freudian theories, the father of genetic epistemology offers us a valuable approach to reflect upon: awareness is not really an awakening, nor an enlightenment.
“Your true social responsibility is to raise awareness.”
It’s not only about making the unconscious conscious, but about reconstructing it. For example, I can become aware of one of my limitations: my inability to set limits and say “NO”. Making this aspect conscious wouldn’t do me any good if I don’t give it a purpose, which is none other than making a change. To reconstruct that part of my “I” in order to heal myself. In order to have greater control over my reality by coming out of that cavern of “shadows” and unhappiness.
Let’s now see how we can generate this process of awakening and reconstruction.
The three phases of “becoming aware”
This process of becoming aware can seem simple. It does appear so. However, it requires, above all, for you to be honest with yourself at all times.
The first step in this awakening requires opening your eyes from within the most intimate and profound part of our being. We’re talking about the emotional world. Ask yourself what you are feeling right now. Explore your sensations and feelings. Ask your body as well, your headaches, that stomach pain… Translate all of those symptoms into words (fear, anguish, uneasiness, insecurity…).
The second step requires you to observe what is happening in your external world. Observe your present and attend to the obvious, the things which we sometimes refuse to look at face-to-face. My partner is cold towards me. I have friends who do worry about me. I’m investing my time and efforts in things that aren’t worth it…etc.
The third step is the most complex. You already know what you feel and what is happening around you. It’s time to delve into your defensive barriers, your prejudice, your attitudes, those that tell you, mistakenly, that it’s better to hold on than to change. That it’s best to turn the other cheek and remain calm and silent out of fear that things might change too much.
Confront yourself. We are our worst enemies. Hence, it will do no good to become aware of your weaknesses if you don’t dare to transform them into strengths. Be responsible, gather some courage and heal yourself: make a change.
