What's the real essence of self-awareness, and how to increase this aspect of myself?

Question

Looking for genuine thought, not just hip-shot opinions or 'my favorite book on this' recommendations.

Answer 1

A great question, and in a sense maybe even the grandaddy of all questions. For if a man remains blind to himself, any claim he makes to know or understand other things is on very dubious ground, both philosophically and practically. The self-ignorant 'knower' is both intellectually naive and potentially dangerous: naive, because he is oblivious to the thought process behind his ideas. He has made no account of who is knowing, and by what means; he's made no review of his biases or any other aspect of his subjective point of view, and his ideas will inevitably reflect that limitation. And he's potentially dangerous, because through certain kinds of knowledge he may acquire power, but in self-ignorance he will wield it blindly, a slave to his own prejudices, to his unseen and unchecked impulses (e.g., to manipulate, dominate, exploit, or what have you).
But for all it's big implications, your question calls for answers that are immediately practical on the ordinary scale of daily living, because that's where real results come from. I'll try to answer in this spirit, breaking the subject down to a few basic considerations:
1. Tools of self-awareness, and where/how to start using them
2. Some of the classical obstacles to avoid or overcome
3. General attitudes, conducive to self-awareness
The first tool of self-awareness, as for any kind of awareness, is that of attention. To get to know anything really, you must begin to observe the phenomena related to the subject of interest, which in this case happens to be 'you'. This obviously requires a certain amount of directed attention. With directed attention, you are able to start taking in a live stream of impressions from the place where you are happening, namely, the present. Thoughts, feelings, sensations, movements - you can start with those. If you try this, one of the first things you discover is that it is not always easy. Attention readily drifts around, gets sucked down a hole or wanders out of the present altogether. But that's already a useful observation, so be encouraged. To be practical at this point, you could simply ask, "well then, where does attention wander to?" Generally, one sees that attention is either hi-jacked by an external stimulus which happens to pop up, such as the telephone ringing or a plate of french fries arriving at the table; or alternatively, that it just dissolves into an inner reverie of meandering thoughts: mental-associations, memories pleasant or unpleasant, worries of what is to come, regrets or satisfaction over what has already happened and the like. But here again, useful observation. You have just noticed what constitutes the inner-world of man for 98% of his so-called waking life. Moreover, at least for a moment, you have rallied attention back to the present, and back to matter at hand.
A second 'tool' that goes hand-in-hand with the first is that of experimentation. You literally experiment with yourself. This can be as simple as trying to do things you don't ordinarily do, or of doing common things in an unusual way. Talk to someone at work whom you usually avoid, and then bring attention to what happens. Go to the cinema alone and observe how it feels. Go for a nature-walk instead of martinis at the bar. Or go for martinis instead of a nature-walk! Experimenting in this way generates new impressions of oneself, offering views from uncustomary angles that can be quite vivid and revealing, as is nearly impossible when one is running comfortably on auto-pilot, traveling along the well-worn grooves of habit. These experiments can be uncomfortable, or surprisingly pleasant, or even both at once, but in any case you'll end up with an abundance of good material.
As for the obstacles: they are numerous. To a great extent, self-awareness invoves getting to know one's own individual obstacles very well, very intimately. But a few trouble-spots and pitfalls common to all are worth mentioning. One is the trap of introspection. Unfortunately, it is easy for the desire for self-awareness to devolve into self-preoccupied introspection, a form of mind-activity which I would liken to digging a circular trench in oneself and going around and around ad nauseum. This can actually become a lifelong destructive mental habit. Here one's attention is not operating freely, but rather is held hostage by some internal subject, often negative in character. The result is a contraction and narrowing-down of awareness, clearly not the expansion and discovery you are after. If you catch yourself falling into this, don't get upset. We've all done it. Just gently redirect attention: take in a detail from the external environment, perhaps notice the quality of light in the room, the beauty of a houseplant, the sound of nearby chatter. Become aware of your breathing, the sensation of temperature on your skin, etc. In any number of such ways you learn to hit the refresh-button of your attention and quickly check back in to a simple, unencumbered space of awareness in the present. And you'll improve quickly with practice.
Another general obstacle could be called, 'our common tendency to run from inconvenient truth'. Developing self-awareness can be awkward and humbling at times, and not everyone is up for that. Inevitably, moments arrive when one must recognize and begin weaning oneself from a cherished illusion, a flattering self-deception or deeply rooted prejudice that stands in the way of authentic understanding. There can be a reflex to shut down self-awareness anytime a challenging truth gets too close for comfort. Getting through these difficult moments requires patience with oneself, and some healthy general attitudes. I'll conclude with a few basic principles in this area:
Keep a neutral posture toward what you observe in yourself and avoid self-deprecation and judgement at all costs. Such tendencies crack the very lense you need to look through, shoot the foot you're trying to walk on. Avoid taking any observation personally, and don't worry about changing things. Steady observation will gradually produce understanding, which in turn will bring about change in it's own way. And remember other people, for you are like them, and they are like you. As your eyes open toward yourself, it will do so toward others, and the perceptions you'll have on both sides will illuminate each other reciprocally.
Finally, as much as you can, face without assumptions the following question: 'Who are you that is watching, present, and aware?' May you fall into the great mystery of That.

Answer 2

The real essence of self-awareness is awareness, what means 'pure awareness' not bound to 'personality', not even to an 'observer'. So pretty beyond the evolutionary state of humans, not even desirable, although if not yet, then probably soon included in the most sophisticated spiritual concept.
How to increase self-awareness? Self-awareness increases by itself during life, it is the most essential aspect of ones being and all development of all the other aspects leads into the increasing of awareness, although there occur blockages that seem to hinder the increasing, but these are obstacles which cause that energy accumulates and then can force a transformation, what means the step from one established condition into another more sublime.
To increase self-awareness in the most effective way and helping all aspects of oneself to grow, one can practice 'meditation'. One can do it by oneself, not depending on others or any time or place. Information how to do it and help is available for free.
One aspect of personality needs to be mentioned: Like all systems, also ones 'personality' has the inbuilt tendency, to hold on ones established structure and is doing everything, using all kind of tricks to survive and to defend oneself, this is inbuilt from nature and so unconscious. So whatever is used to 'increase' the awareness like meditation might be sabotaged and so rejected, by finding all kind of good arguments. Don't let this become an obstacle, convince yourself, make a decision and then just meditate!
BeiYin

Answer 3

The real essence of self-awareness manifests when one is aware. When one is in a state of awareness then one is being the 'real essence'. When one is identifed with the reflecting images and is weaving together the images into a astory about what one is seeing, then one is dreaming.

To increase this aspect of yourself you have to be able to distinguish between dreaming and not dreaming. But you don't have to reinvent the wheel, people who have learned about the difference can tell you what it is.

Mostly people are not self-aware, rather what they are doing is acting out and being the self that they believe they are. They believe they are this fictitious person because of the illusion of being identified with what one thinks and feels.
So one might ask is what I think myself, or is what I feel myself? Where is my true self. And thus arises the question:
'Who am I'?

To increase this aspect the best known way is to learn how to meditate, do the practise each day in a consistent manner. Find someone who has been meditating long enough with which you can tell them how your meditation is going. By getting meditation 'check-ups' or feedback, then you can make your meditation practise more effective, because you can avoid getting stuck in the common pitfalls of the mind that beset people when they begin. (There are many that will provide this feedback for free, it can even be done here in answers...)

In meditation what one does is gradually grow in capability to distance oneself from being totally identified with being the 'personality' and correspondingly one grows in awareness as the observer or as the true essence. By learning to take control: by using one's intent to withdraw energy away from being the thinking and feeling one, one's true self gains strength.

Betsy

Answer 4

You certainly go for the big ones. Self-consciousness is the movement of mind through time and is directly correlated with neurochemistry. You can always apply yourself to learn stuff and therefore enhance neural pathways and cognitive functioning. Awareness on the other had is a bit of a sticky monster and relates back to Greek philosophers notion of being and becoming. It also has a strong history in Hinduism. and Buddhism. In my cosmology becoming is self-consciousness mediate by time, memory and congitions. Awareness on the other hand is realization of the perfect undivided now in which mind finds a mode of peace, tranquility and omnipresence. This stillness or awareness comes by dispensing with beliefs and thoughts and emptying the mind of attachment. Sorry but all beliefs have gotta go. The only way to do this is to learn not to judge and to forgive absolutely. Here is where you gotta be carefully. In the self-conscious world of human activity you will still need to discriminate and judge because the rest of the world is not going to come along for the ride. Don't confuse the relative world with the Absolute. however in moments of contemplation if you can still your mind by letting go of beliefs and attachment to judgments and with luck a realm of trans-verbal insight and vision of immediate perfection will open up. You have to be patient with this stuff though. I am not talking about gurus or religious teachers I am talking about you finding your place in the infinite. Two other techniques will help 1. focus upon Absolute Infinity and the limitless nature of existence. no matter how many doors you open there are infinite more doors to look through. This tells you that no one person can lay claim to absolute truth therefore to some extent they are all wrong. 2. Focus upon Absolute Love and Absolute Forgiveness. This is the really hard one to forgive the cruelest and vilest person you can imagine. If you can mange it nothing will ever be as it was. Its a waste of time going for complex explanations just keep it simple.

Answer 5

You are the essence of self awarness. Just be aware. Don't glom onto things and try to ride them out thus going into unconciousness every time. And remove all obstacles that cover or put a curtain over the real you.

Answer 6

Cause and effect. Consider the choices you make everyday, and the effect those choices have on everything and everyone around you. No action is too small, and every action has a consequence. Even thoughts carry their own weight, and affect your behavior which in turn influences those closest to you, and they in turn influence those closest to them and so on. Understanding this and taking responsibility for even the most trivial of decisions will lead to increased self-awareness and a greater sense of compassion. The two go hand in hand.

Answer 7

The real essence of self-awareness,to know yourself.What you want,what your happiness,what you think,what your desires and know about the world.then make right choice or select right path. To know yourself and about the world is the real essence of self awareness.It can be increased by Practice of Meditation,studying,listening,watching,reading and realising.

Answer 8

it is hard because I try to do this but often I fall inthe trap of self pity and reject that when things goes wrong.

maybe every night before goes to sleep, think about what you done today and what you could do differently to make life better for other ppl in your life.

don't be too hard in yourself. like me, then I end up try to recover the pain in me,. good question and only wise man will look in themselves and see what can they improve.

Answer 9

first you must decide what your convictions are and what they mean to you.
Whether they are worth living for.
take time to think in quiet
be painfully honest with yourself, aside from popular opinion.
scratch your convictions down on paper will help continue and build on the self awareness process.

Answer 10

Honesty concerning the influence of one's ego driven desires in relation to how one thinks and acts.