One of the points that all wise men and women agree on is this: If we want our world to improve, we should work on ourselves first. That’s where the significant gains are to be found. Focusing on the inadequacies of others, or the unfairness in the world, is often just a trap of our own making as we resist looking in the mirror.

Awareness influences and enables all that we are and all that we strive for.

That is the paradox of the human condition. If we humbly accept that our experience of reality is constrained, we immediately loosen the chains that bind us, and we begin to expand.

Awareness is not a school quiz that can be passed by reading and memorizing some facts. It’s a journey that is fueled by our intent to be open, honest, and free.

We must sense and confront our blockages and biases if we are to be open and grow.

When in doubt, adopt an attitude of curiosity.

Paying attention is proactive. It is a conscious act that expands our consciousness.

Let go and let in. When we avoid prejudging our sources of information, we become more receptive to what they have to offer. If we come to listening with a blank slate, our environment can write on it what we need to hear. Similarly, if our mental and sensory channels are open, there’s more room to import energy and information.