Mind with Awareness

If all the books written on the power of the mind be kept in one place, I’m sure there wouldn’t be space enough for them even in a gargantuan library dedicated to the subject. Mind power, battlefield of the mind, mind over body – these are just few of the mind-boggling array of topics debated and dissected by self-help gurus – and eagerly lapped up by all and sundry, including yours truly.

A conversation I had with a friend recently was truly thought provoking. On the subject of experiencing disappointment on account of having unfulfilled expectations of others, I was told that it is not humanly possible not to have expectations. That while in theory it sounds nice that the mind has control and can avoid having expectations, in reality it doesn't happen. Is that the same thought flitting across your mind too? So where is the supremacy of the mind here? Is it a fallacy?

This set me reflecting...consider for example the case of unfulfilled expectations. These can cause disappointment and sometimes, if we are honest enough to admit, a feeling of vulnerability.  And while for many of us, living a life without any expectations whatsoever (stated or otherwise) may sound good when coming from the mouth of the gurus, it may be a little bit (and the ‘little’ is relative here) of a herculean task to embody in real life.

But what if the mind ponders upon that feeling of disappointment and vulnerability and links it back to the unstated expectations (reasonable or not) we have had? That’s when a state of awareness comes in.

It’s an acknowledgement of feelings and expectations in the 'now', without any judgement.  An awareness of what goes on in the mind in the present. And in that awareness lie hidden treasures of great strength. Because when I become aware of and acknowledge my vulnerability, it ceases of have its hold over me.

The 'being' of the mind may be likened to a vast sheet of still and calm waters into which the awareness of thoughts and feelings fall like a drop of water and ripple across the mind in clarity. The drop, after its moment of impact, spread outwards in ripples of lessening intensity leaving, behind still waters in its wake. Awareness of thoughts and feelings similarly may cause its momentary impact in the mind and then cease to hold dominion. 

So the power of the mind, to me, is not about having the ability to eschew certain so called ‘negative thoughts and desires’. Because that in itself would only serve to focus on and fuel it further. Rather, the mind becomes powerful when its grinding wheels of never ending thoughts stop churning for some time to just ‘be’ in the moment.


In that act of ‘being’, it becomes aware of and acknowledges deep seated thoughts, feelings and emotions without putting labels to it. And then moves on, because thoughts & feelings once acknowledged, cease to hold sway over the mind.  

And that’s when we have a ‘Mind with Awareness’, a powerful state of mindfulness to be in.

For further readings on awareness, go to my blog Awareness in Rapport.