1015 posts since 2008

Awareness & the Mind Archives

Welcome! Sharing my reflections on the spiritual path.
Join me on a profound journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.

Sep 4, 2018

Where awareness goes, energy flows

When I lived as a monk, my guru (Sivaya Subramuniyaswami) taught me a phrase he coined: ‘Where awareness goes, energy flows.’ It's probably one of the most important things I’ve learned. First, we have to learn that awareness and the mind are two separate things. Second, our mind does not wander; our awareness moves within the mind. If you are a person whose awareness races through the mind all da...

Aug 7, 2018
1 MINUTE READ

Awareness vs. Consciousness

One of my online course meditation students asked about the difference between awareness and consciousness. I’m glad the student posed this question. My guru answers this question in the best way possible. He says “Consciousness and awareness are the same when awareness is total
Jul 31, 2018
1 MINUTE READ

Overcoming Anxiety

I've taken a long hiatus from blogging. My apologies. The last few months have been filled with speaking engagements around the world and working on a few important projects including the development of Siva Ashram, our retreat center in Costa Rica. I hope to update you on some o
Jan 25, 2018
1 MINUTE READ

Memory and Awareness

A few days ago one of the students of my 12-week online course "Introduction to Meditation" asked the following question on our online forum. "How are memories and awareness related?" Here's my response to him which I wanted to share with you as well. Memories are experiences t
Oct 29, 2017
1 MINUTE READ

Bringing Awareness to Attention

Now, I’ve already shared with you that the most important thing in understanding the mind is understanding that there is a clear separation between awareness and mind. Once you’ve understood that you are not the mind but rather you are pure awareness moving through different area
Oct 15, 2017
1 MINUTE READ

Awareness, Energy & Mental Patterns

If your awareness is constantly going to one particular area of the mind, then that is where your energy is flowing, and that area of the mind will become stronger and stronger. It is almost like you are feeding the muscles of that area of the mind. For example, if your awareness
Oct 9, 2017
1 MINUTE READ

Awareness as a Traveler

One of the analogies that my guru often used to describe awareness and the mind is viewing awareness as a traveler and the mind as the world. When you go to San Francisco to visit you have experiences that San Francisco offers. You experience San Francisco but you are not San Fra