Justin Stone (November 2007, Part 1)

Heightened Awareness

(& Why The Need for Heightened Awareness)

Bare attention, of “Mindfulness,” is the first step in gaining a heightened awareness, but by itself, it is not enough. This bare attention to progress to a deeper awareness. “Bare attention,” by itself, means that every action is performed mindfully, in full conscious awareness … To know that we have placed our shoes under the bed – to know it and not assume it – is a great step forward in achieving “bare attention” and the beginning of the way to a heightened awareness.

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In truth there is no such thing as “Higher” Consciousness. There is only Consciousness. But in individuals, the pure Consciousness is usually blocked to various degrees, so we speak of “higher” or “lower” States of Consciousness.

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The “Choiceless Awareness” that Krishnamurti speaks of is a good example of Consciousness shining without obscuration – “Choiceless” meaning the obscuring energies are not operating. Normally we operate in a “pleasure-pain” continuum, seeking those things that are pleasant to us and avoiding what is painful. This is the opposite of “Choiceless Awareness” and is the result of self-clinging.

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Heightened awareness always begins on the inside, not being merely a matter of tactile or sensory occurrence. We begin to be aware of the vast ocean of Consciousness in which we swim (“live and breath and have our being.”)

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If we sincerely work toward heightened awareness, we will eventually be startled to recognize that our periods of concentration last less than a second, being constantly renewed. We had thought that these periods lasted for a considerable time and were not aware that concentration has to be constantly renewed.

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Are we aware of breathing? If we think about it, it is the one thing absolutely vital to our existence, yet we simply take it for granted. In effect, we are breathed – that is all. To one truly interested in deeper awareness, [s/he] might study the trilogy of breath, blood, and spirit. Also, the Chinese speak of “Ching Chi Shen” – Essence (or semen), Energy, and Spirity. Eventually we may find that Wisdom and Energy come from the same Source.

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As the nervous system is purified, as the Chi circulation is accelerated and balanced, we should see things more clearly, have more energy, become less self-centered, and, possibly, live longer. “Heightened awareness” is a worthwhile goal in every respect, but the reader must practice faithfully to attain this goal; it cannot be given to him by anybody. And we never stop progressing; we never relax and say, “We’re here.” To those who persevere and succeed, great Joy (Ananda) should be in store.

From the Foreword and Introduction of Heightened Awareness, ©1988

Available from Good Karma Publishing

Not for reproduction without written permission from GKP.