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Becoming A More Conscious Human Being

One topic that is discussed frequently with patients at Above & Beyond Acupuncture is the importance of being conscious and aware throughout your life. Oftentimes people stop paying close attention to the food they eat, the thoughts they have and their daily behaviors when life becomes repetitious. This can be due to a variety of things, yet we must strive to live consciously, setting aside the distractions of modern life.

What does it mean to be a conscious human being?

To provide a good definition as to what it means to be a conscious human being, it is integral to first understand what being conscious involves.

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines conscious as: perceiving, apprehending, or noticing with a degree of controlled thought or observation. The dictionary’s definition goes on to state that conscious is also characterized as: done or acting with critical awareness. [Link] Both of these definitions exemplify the fact that being conscious entails clear thought, observation and critical awareness, which are all vital to becoming a more conscious human being.

A person who is conscious places concerted effort into maintaining an awareness of their behavior, environment and feelings throughout the day. They frequently check in with themselves, taking stock of how they feel, what is taking place in their environment, what they eat and the thoughts they have. If a problem arises, or a negative thought finds its way into their mind, this becomes an opportunity for change and growth. Having this awareness is essential when it comes to living consciously. Without it a person can fall into repetitive behaviors and thought patterns.

Being conscious throughout the day can be challenging for some people, as they can become easily distracted and lose focus. If this is a problem for you, the best tool you can implement is meditation, as it will provide you with the opportunity to observe your thoughts. In a previous blog post titled “The Many Benefits Of Meditation”, we go into detail about what meditation is and provide some helpful suggestions to get you started. If you get a moment, we suggest that you read through this article.

Why is it so challenging to be a conscious human being?

Life in the 21st century is filled with routines, repetitious activities and distractions. These routines can involve going to work, running errands, eating, exercising, driving, etc. When these experiences become commonplace, it is easy to stop paying attention to what is being done and just go through the motions. In some ways, it’s like setting the brain on autopilot, where the person no longer has to think about what he or she is doing.

When critical thought and attention are set aside, people enter a state of unconsciousness where they are no longer fully aware and present with what they are doing. Individuals can become automatons living a life that lacks any particular passion and is filled with mind numbing activities. One of the most insidious distractions that exists in modern life is watching countless hours of television. This one activity has the ability to consume a person’s consciousness and waste portions of their life viewing content that usually has no educational value. If you choose to watch TV, we suggest that you are conscious of what programs you watch and how much time you spend viewing those shows.

This blog was written with the purpose of bringing attention to the importance of being a conscious human being. If you find yourself going through the motions of life, we urge you to take some time to reevaluate your priorities and make a concerted effort to be more aware of your actions. Now is the time to live more fully, more presently and more consciously!