Many believe that both being alive and being aware are the same. But Yoga and Neuroscience show that they are quite different from one another. A person is alive biologically, walking, breathing, thinking, yet he may not be fully aware of his inner world. Yoga treats such actions mechanical where actions are conducted through habits and conditioning. On the other hand, awareness is a conscious presence where thoughts, emotions, and sensations are observed without getting lost.

 

According to Yogic perspective, life operates through different layers of existence.The body may be active and the mind busy, but awareness belongs to the deeper levels of consciousness.

 

This is called Sakshi Bhave in Yoga, a state of witnessing. In this state , there is no automatic reaction, but life unfolds with responsive clarity. Hence, Yoga is not only a collection of physical postures, but actually waking up from the unconscious patterns. Neuroscience also supports this view.

 

The brain has many systems which allow us to function automatically. For example many daily activities happen without conscious attention. They are governed by brain’s habit circuits and default mode network. Being alive means that these circuits are working efficiently, but being aware means that the higher networks specifically the prefrontal cortex are activated.

 

They support self reflection, focus , and conscious choice. Studies on mindfulness and other meditational practices show that when a person practises meditation for a longer period, his brain starts registering changes for better emotional regulation, more clarity in decision making, and reduction in release of stress hormones. This shows that awareness is not only a spiritual idea, but a trainable neurobiological capacity.

 

Yogic practices demonstrate that Asanas, Pranayamas, and meditation shift the brain from the mode of autonomic reactivity to consciousness observation. In day to day life difference can be seen in simple examples.

 

Someone may eat the meal, while watching the screen hardly tasting the meal. This is a very precise example of being alive without awareness. Another may enjoy the food slowly, tasting the flavour, smelling the aroma , and watching the texture. This is an example of action in awareness. The external acts are the same , but there is a vast difference in the inner qualities of the both. Awareness adds depth and meaning to even ordinary acts. Yoga teaches that suffering comes from living without awareness.

 

When thoughts run amuck, the states of confusion and misery build up. Neuroscience explains this through over activities in the brain’s ruminating centres which keep replaying worries and past events.Awareness interrupts this loop. When we observe thoughts without getting involved, our nervous systems relax. Over a period of time, this practice of awareness creates inner freedom. Awareness is not withdrawal from the active life, but a more conscious participation in it.

 

An aware person listens better, responds calmly, and sees things more clearly. Neuroscience calls it meta awareness, knowing about thinking and feeling. In Yoga it is termed as Chitta Prajna or a mind that is steady and illuminous. In today’s world, most of the people are biologically alive, but psychologically scattered. Yoga invites us to rediscover our awareness within. Thus, being alive with awareness is a life journey with meaning and integration. (The writer is Former DG Police & CG, Homeguards, Maharashtra)