Mindfulness? Mindful of What, Exactly?

Mindfulness meditation usually focuses on being mindful of one’s own thoughts, speech, intentions, emotions and actions. All this is perfectly good and useful in the process of becoming a more mature and balanced person.

There’s also a kind of mindfulness that is simply AWARE. Not so much aware of objects, one’s surroundings, one’s bodily functions or motions, or even one’s mental processes, but aware of simply BEING AWARE. Sounds almost silly, doesn’t it? For some people I suppose it would.

But for a small percentage of people awareness is its own reward. Turned in upon itself awareness of awareness needs no narrative, no definitions or philosophy, no object to focus upon, and no “Thou” to address.

Awareness of awareness is like two mirrors facing each other resulting in an infinity of reflections and producing a heightened awareness. At first it is difficult to sustain this feedback loop for more than a few seconds. With practice it grows on you and feeds a current of deep satisfaction and rejuvenation.

In the long history of meditation, we could give this experience a few different names, but I think omitting names keeps the experience free from the distractions and habit of labelling. While in the practice of meditation it is easier for most people to have an “object” like a name, a word or image to mentally focus upon to calm the restless tendencies of the mind, focusing on pure awareness has its own power and effectiveness.

For one thing, pure awareness eliminates the need to have an object. Our restless minds will tend to bounce around from object to object: a deity, a mantra (out of a million potential mantras or word phrases), the name or image of one’s guru, an internal sound (e.g., Aum) or feeling (e.g., peace), a creative visualization of nature (moonlight), the movement of subtle energy (prana) in the body, and most popular: the breath.

As a firm devotee of the BOTH-AND philosophy of life, I can say that the most practical approach is to start with an object and let it bring you to the still waters of pure awareness.

Awareness meditation may sound, at first, lacking in feeling, especially devotion but that’s not necessarily true. Sincere desire to meditate is, itself, a kind of devotion to seeking truth. But even devotion as ordinarily understood can flourish in this seemingly antiseptic environment of pure awareness. But how?

Begin your meditation with a prayer and with the intention to offer one’s awareness into the greater Awareness of Spirit (God, Divine Mother, guru, etc.). And even while in the pure state of Awareness but without labelling it or using words feel a sense of hushed reverence as if in the presence of the Presence.

What triggered these thoughts this day was my experience this morning in meditation. I know that a description of an inner meditative experience too often seems one-dimensional but what entered my mind as I sat in meditative stillness was the image of a round shaft of light surrounding me and rising upwards into the beyond. When words arose to describe it they said that this state of awareness, devoid as it was of thoughts and emotions, opened a channel connecting my awareness with a greater Awareness. A sense that a more authentic Self was being accessed; one not dependent upon words, definitions or forms of any kind.

It was a thrilling experience bringing a heightened sense of Presence. Impersonal, yes, but also intensely personal at the same time. I know that no singular inner experience can ever define or limit that which is Infinite, both personal and impersonal, with and without name or form but to have Infinity touch down like a tornado of Light in whatever way it appears is an experience to treasure (without attachment, of course!).

This practice of “awareness of Awareness” can be practiced any time or place. Upon falling asleep; upon waking up; in meditation; while waiting for the traffic light to turn green; between tasks; even while performing (routine) tasks.

To give this more substance in my own words, it is like suddenly feeling one’s entire body at the same time, and even the space that surrounds it. Not so much physically (like organs, skin etc.) but energetically. A yogi would say this is the subtle or astral (energy or Light) body. Definitions, however, simply distract us and distance us from the experience.

Another point is that the experience of “no-thought” is not “thoughtless,” nor is it empty; it is potent and full; it is pre-creative and has the calm intensity of potential energy. It is thrilling even if deeply calm. A both-and kind of intensity!

In meditation generally, the importance is not what we are aware OF but what we are aware WITH: meaning that the object of meditation (peace, for example) is less important than the calm clarity of our focused awareness.

Awareness of Awareness is an initial experience of Self-awareness which has no form and no name; it is the primordial, pure consciousness out of which, sages aver, the universe has been created.

Give it a try: it’s always right there behind your eyes; behind your thoughts and feelings. It never sleeps. It is your nearest and dearest friend; your guardian angel; your Beloved Friend. Made as we are, we are told, in the image of God, Self-awareness is a reflection in the mirror of your mind of the Divine!

Joy to you,

Swami Hrimananda!