By The Conscious Hipster (Contributor for the Culture of Awareness)

Today, it seems that a growing number of people are taking an interest in the word ‘consciousness’. We know that trends create a zeitgeist and as more people live consciously and mindfully, this can only be a positive evolution in creating a better world.

However, is consciousness becoming an easily accessible slew of quotable catchphrases with adopters in danger of becoming too cool for school?

Are we really walking the talk, or just riding the wave?

To me, consciousness means awareness and integrity in thoughts, words and actions. It means considering the impact that thoughts have on the outcome of things and on the reality we are capable of manifesting.

Terms like “positive psychology”, “NLP”, “CBT”, “Breathwork” “the law of attraction” and “Healing” are more frequently overheard or cropping up in conversations.

Admitting to “having issues” and seeking out therapy is no longer a hidden or taboo subjects. More people are waking up to the notion that “the blame game” doesn’t offer anything more than the temporary satisfaction of affirming ego or misery.

Our thoughts really do create our reality and when dreams are woven effectively, they can catalyse massive leaps in understanding fulfilment, joyfulness and existence. This also means having an awareness of the impact our words have on creating our reality and also on the energy we exchange with others.

It means knowing the knock on effect of actions- often referred to as karma, or the more familiar saying of “what goes around comes around”.

Consciousness is essentially a lifestyle choice requiring active participation, commitment and practise. It’s a path that commences once one has begun to scratch beneath the surface and question if there is more to human nature and existence then meets the eye.

Whilst training to become a yoga teacher, I remember naively asking my teacher during a satsang (conscious discourse) “How can I possibly be present if I’m also in my head being a mindful observer- wouldn’t that process make me somewhat socially awkward and slow?”.

This question got her laughing and she replied “It takes practise and you quickly get better at making choices from your truth centre not your ego. Then, through the power of choice you are no longer reacting to what is happening around you”.

That conversation activated an understanding within me that my thoughts, words and actions are all choices which I am free to select, so that I am not merciless in a sea of reactivity and my thoughts no longer control my actions.

This is much easier said then done of course, it really does require presence moment by moment and an interest in experimenting with new and positive ways of being and living.

I imagine consciousness, mindfulness and emotional intelligence will one day be included on the syllabus for an “essential life skills” course in high schools; contributing to the evolution of consciousness and a more tolerant global mindset.

Wherever we may each be on our journey in terms of effortlessly or clumsily observing and understanding who we are; may we all work on becoming our best selves with compassion, humility and a deep belly laugh along the way.

About the author:

The Conscious Hipster is on a neverending journey of personal development through wellbeing and creativity.

Blogging about, photographing and filming people and their creations as well as reflecting on workshops and learnings along the way- whilst working on being in the now.

TCH continues to ponder life’s ups and downs and serendipities now here for The Culture of Awareness-watch this space!

You can find The Conscious Hipster here:

https://theconscioushipster.wordpress.com/

http://blog.balispiritfestival.com/author/the-conscious-hipster/

http://www.sacredcircularities.com/sc-blog/day-two-the-conscious-hipster-learns-the-ropes