Can awareness be taught?

[GavinMorrice]

Hey all -

I recently wrote about awareness on my site:
Thinker's Playground:An Introduction to Awareness

the site is still a fledgling but I've had a few email responses to a point I make: that awareness can't really be taught (only learned).

To me, it seems that as long as you're telling people what to do, or how to think, (in this case, to think more about thinking) those people are still dependent on your guidance and so aren't really developing.

It's a bit of a sticky topic though. I was wondering if anyone else had views on teaching awareness?

[magi13]

you can teach it via exercises of controlled simulated experiences. ^^, these exercises will result to awareness.

it's kind of psychological though. where one has to overcome challenges in these simulated exercises. ^^,

but it seems that these method seems like learning too. but with your teachings to compliment it.

[GavinMorrice]

By giving someone exercises, aren't we just saying: "here, take this, play around with it and draw your own conclusions" and hoping they make their own worthwhile discoveries?

If so, then this leads us back to the point of this being a self-taught process (albeit with guidance), rather than a taught process where the subject has just learned to recite the information you've given them.

:S ?

Originally Posted by magi13

you can teach it via exercises of controlled simulated experiences. ^^, these exercises will result to awareness.

it's kind of psychological though. where one has to overcome challenges in these simulated exercises. ^^,

but it seems that these method seems like learning too. but with your teachings to compliment it.

[magi13]

It does not work that way, you let them experience a psychological scenario. mind games.

Where they must fail. <-- you have to fail first.

Then Accept that failure and build on it to achieve.

Ex. reflection camps. Religious faiths do this all the time, in order to open the neophyte and introduce them their beliefs. they let them experience the whole act of faith.

The same is applicable with consciousness / awareness and understanding.

p.s. i did mention in my post that it is thought through experience. no you can't teach this via recitation. the person has to be able to experience it or visualize it.

[GavinMorrice]

You seem to know what you're talking about Magi, I'm just not sure if I do.

To ensure we're on the same page here, how would you actually define 'awareness'?

:S

[magi13]

i define awareness as it is in the dictionary.

define:awareness - Hanapin sa Google

^^, but basically i use this definition for awareness.

"The state or level of consciousness where sense data can be confirmed by an observer"

[wolfgang]

Maybe everything people learn is never really "teachable" in the since the OP makes - that it's the individual that has to learn. No one can just "get it" via a magic wand from a guru - in any endeavor.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by wolfgang

Maybe everything people learn is never really "teachable" in the since the OP makes - that it's the individual that has to learn. No one can just "get it" via a magic wand from a guru - in any endeavor.

i agree. ^^,

[GavinMorrice]

I disagree Wolfgang.

Most everything we learn is taught from other people, we've evolved that way. Most of what we learn, particularly when we are young is learned by rote and recited but not understood.

You can teach a kid to say E=MC^2 but that kid doesn't necessarily have any understanding of Einsteinian physics.

For me, awareness is really becoming more and more independent in the way we think, reason and make decisions. In a sense, it's the progression away from learning by rote and mimicry towards an individualized curriculum.

Hence, why I don't feel that it's something that can be taught. I'd like to hear more about these psychological scenarios if you have the time Magi13.

[magi13]

Which scenario would you prefer? hands on or one using visualization, or by groups?

The easiest would be visualization for me. Hands on will require you to experience it, in a group, you can stage an experience for a certain person (almost like a rite or initiation effect)

psychological scenarios will first deal with failure and slowly using that feeling of loss and turning it into a positive force. So you can use your imagination in order to make a person feel loss or frustration. (but you have to be careful, if a person is depressed, he'll fall into oblivion instead of gaining awareness)

So you can visualize ex. and experience of loss and an experience of victory with respect to such loss.

it'll be easier if the person practicing has experienced it. if not, you'll have to create a simulation that will have the desired effect.

"Mind games"

XXX

oh yeah, i still love rote memory though.

[RubberDuck]

I don't think this is a "one size fits all" situation. We all have our individual labyrinth to pass to get to the core. At least I feel that I'm picking up bits of the puzzle here and there, sometimes from quite unexpected sources.

RD

[magi13]

Originally Posted by RubberDuck

I don't think this is a "one size fits all" situation. We all have our individual labyrinth to pass to get to the core. At least I feel that I'm picking up bits of the puzzle here and there, sometimes from quite unexpected sources.

RD

This is a valid point. All I am sure of is that, I first met adversity which triggered my awareness.

If you have faith, it's like you're being tested by a higher power of something difficult that you will fail at the beginning but if you don't give up, you'll be able to find the answer. (this is the only analogy that came to mind for a doubting guy like me, but it does fit the topic)

@Thread starter

Another alternative means I've forgotten to mention is that, awareness can be learned through observation/focus and concentration.
If you train Observation/Focus or Concentration it'll be easier to learn or understand awareness.

After all, awareness is a conscious reaction to a given stimuli in the environment. If we are observant we'll notice that. So I think observation/Focus is a key ingredient, besides mind games or psychological scenarios.

There something you can teach at a lecture scenario "Focus/Observation" - Awareness with respect to the surroundings.
Application/Lab = visual exercises/partner/group psychological scenario or mind games.

[Dharma]

Originally Posted by GavinMorrice

It's a bit of a sticky topic though. I was wondering if anyone else had views on teaching awareness?

The awareness is there, you just need to teach people to hold open space for the awareness. People like to live in their thoughts... constantly. If we were taught to direct our focus to space (nothingness) periodically, input from other sources would be available to us.

[torilink]

Originally Posted by magi13

i define awareness as it is in the dictionary.

define:awareness - Hanapin sa Google

^^, but basically i use this definition for awareness.

"The state or level of consciousness where sense data can be confirmed by an observer"

actually google isn't a dictionary per se, this is the actual dictionary definition of aware:

Main Entry:
aware Listen to the pronunciation of aware
Pronunciation:
\ə-ˈwer\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Middle English iwar, from Old English gewær, from ge- (associative prefix) + wær wary — more at co-, wary
Date:
before 12th century

1archaic : watchful , wary2: having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge
— aware·ness noun

[Liara Covert]

Human beings do not consciously choose to perceive the imperceptible. They are born to absorb human traits so they can evolve to lift themselves out of obscured perception. If everything is nothing and form is actually formless, then the consciousness of nothing requires no explanation.

"Blessed be he who expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed." ~Alexander Pope

[magi13]

Originally Posted by torilink

actually google isn't a dictionary per se, this is the actual dictionary definition of aware:

Main Entry:
aware Listen to the pronunciation of aware
Pronunciation:
\ə-ˈwer\
Function:
adjective
Etymology:
Middle English iwar, from Old English gewær, from ge- (associative prefix) + wær wary — more at co-, wary
Date:
before 12th century

1archaic : watchful , wary2: having or showing realization, perception, or knowledge
— aware·ness noun

google isn't a dictionary but you can use it to search for dictionary definitions. if you checked the link they'll provide some definitions that are posted in the net.

[GavinMorrice]

Originally Posted by RubberDuck

I don't think this is a "one size fits all" situation. We all have our individual labyrinth to pass to get to the core. At least I feel that I'm picking up bits of the puzzle here and there, sometimes from quite unexpected sources.

RD

I like the point you make RD.

Since we all have different starting points, you couldn't really prescribe a curriculum, or a weekend retreat to help people develop it.

I think, Magi13, what your saying is to put people into a situation that kinda shakes them awake. Enforcing a situation that catalyzes their development.

I also agree with your point on training focus and concentration. Despite what most people would like to believe of themselves, people don't really think too much about anything. Most of what we do is done in auto-pilot and is habitual.

According to henry ford: "Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the first probable reason why so few engage in it".

If anybody has any ideas for thought experiments or knows of any articles or links related to developing awareness, I'd really appreciate them

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by GavinMorrice

I disagree Wolfgang.

Most everything we learn is taught from other people, we've evolved that way. Most of what we learn, particularly when we are young is learned by rote and recited but not understood.

You can teach a kid to say E=MC^2 but that kid doesn't necessarily have any understanding of Einsteinian physics.

For me, awareness is really becoming more and more independent in the way we think, reason and make decisions. In a sense, it's the progression away from learning by rote and mimicry towards an individualized curriculum.

Hence, why I don't feel that it's something that can be taught.

If something can be learned it can be taught. Or at least coached. But eventually the student has to internalize it regardless of having a teacher or not. Somethings we can learn by following examples and going through practicing. Learning awareness is no different.

It seems you have a logical link I can't follow. You are saying that just because awareness means ultimately not following anybody (no rote or mimicking allowed), then you can't learn it by following somebody's example. Thing is it is possible to follow someone's example of how to be more aware. Take a meditation technique, try to out and after a while you are more aware. And as you internalize what it feels like you can ad lib how you get there. To go about learning to be aware with only individualize curriculum would be like ignoring knowledge, to me. Is it really different than learning something else that requires practice?


I used to go to classes in "unlearning". They were teaching us how to recognize habitual behavior and become free of reactionary responses. If you equate awareness with being "more independent in the way we think, reason and make decisions" (which I agree with too), then it is taught. It's behavioral psychology. It's the ability to not be swamped by your conditioning.

And what about meditation classes in general? Why are they not teaching awareness in your way of thinking? Or doing yoga or taichi? They are paths to more awareness that work rather well. And guess what - it has lots of following, etc... but those practices also eventually become your own once you take the core lessons and then internalize what it is - then you have it as something you learned from being taught. Kind of like playing music. You learn something about the mechanics of how to learn a piece of music, even mimic someone else. once you internalize a piece you can play it with your own expressions, even do your own ad lib, if it's that kind of music.

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by GavinMorrice

Hey all -

I recently wrote about awareness on my site:
Thinker's Playground:An Introduction to Awareness

the site is still a fledgling but I've had a few email responses to a point I make: that awareness can't really be taught (only learned).

To me, it seems that as long as you're telling people what to do, or how to think, (in this case, to think more about thinking) those people are still dependent on your guidance and so aren't really developing.

It's a bit of a sticky topic though. I was wondering if anyone else had views on teaching awareness?

Aware is the opposite of

unaware
Adjective
not aware or conscious: unaware of my surroundings

or the other side of awareness's existence. I don't believe we teach or learn it. We are it. We are aware of what we are aware of until we become aware of something we were previously unaware of.
Awareness is what is known to us and unawareness is what is not known to us but, we don't know that we don't know until we become aware!

[GavinMorrice]

@Wolfgang - What sort of things do unlearning classes include?

[Ralph]

Originally Posted by GavinMorrice

Hey all -

I recently wrote about awareness on my site:
Thinker's Playground:An Introduction to Awareness

the site is still a fledgling but I've had a few email responses to a point I make: that awareness can't really be taught (only learned).

To me, it seems that as long as you're telling people what to do, or how to think, (in this case, to think more about thinking) those people are still dependent on your guidance and so aren't really developing.

It's a bit of a sticky topic though. I was wondering if anyone else had views on teaching awareness?

Just a thought I feel like sharing:

I never think of my articles as teaching people something. I'm only guiding them to the realizations that they make themselves. My words have no value by themselves - they're just pointers to the greater truth that is discovered by readers that read with readiness and willingness to explore and learn.

[Ariel Bravy]

What exactly do you mean by "teaching awareness?"

Awareness is literally what you are. Similarly, you can't teach a person to exist.

Are you suggesting that awareness focus on something in particular or nothing at all?

[GavinMorrice]

Hi Ariel,

To clarify: what I mean by teaching awareness is teaching people to be more aware than they are already. To actively think more than they already do.

As I mention in myarticle on awareness, we all develop to at least a base level: self-aware onto a theory of mind etc., but from this point onwards there is a big difference in people's level of conscious awareness.

Im not suggesting anything spiritual, cosmic or otherwise. Simply one's ability to process what's going on around them.

Hope that clears things up a little, would welcome your thoughts.

[Ariel Bravy]

Hey Gavin.

I don't really understand what you're trying to say with the article... I get the ideas of self-awareness and awareness of mind, but what's beyond that?

What would you suggest people become aware of?

Are you suggesting that people more consciously become aware of their environment and learn all the details of what's going on? like doing background checks on our neighbors and finding out the health risks of our foods?

[GavinMorrice]

Firstly, thanks for reading it Ariel.

As the title suggests, this article is just an introduction to the concept.
The forthcoming articles on Thinker's Playground will be based around trying to get a more accurate and clearer understanding of, well, everything.

I'd say beyond awareness of self, and theory of mind there is a plethora of truisms we have yet to realize. The point of this article is to suggest that each of us still have room for improvement in this area and that a good way to do this (perhaps the only way) is through actively thinking.

As an obvious example: let's take a fundamental religious terrorist.
I can hear the views and rationale of extremists and dismiss them as being, at the very least, misguided. Hopefully, in the case of religious extremists, you can do the same.

Both you and I have the advantage of a scope that these extremists have not considered. The reasons for this are not really pertinent to this thread but, to be blunt, there are certain truisms they just don't get.

More importantly, because these guys aren't in the habit of asking "why am I doing this" or "why do I believe this", their viewpoint is not going to change.

Through life, I've discovered the same about myself and I observe it everyday in everyone else, though not with terrorism. Living on the east coast of Scotland you can still find people with the silliest, unfounded superstitions. Beliefs unquestionable to them.

I'd suggest fundamentalists, superstitious people etc. are in a similar position to the kid I mention in my article, lying on the floor with his eyes covered believing nobody can see him. Not with every aspect of life, but a lot.

By writing the article I'm certainly not saying "I've got it all worked out" and I certainly hope it doesn't come across that way.

I'm simply suggesting the idea that, by striving towards adopting a more rational view and being more aware of our own thoughts, we can gain more control over our lives and will be less likely to subscribe to things that are bogus, a waste of our time/money or, in the extreme, something we'd throw our lives away for.

I hope this makes sense and, if you have any more thoughts to add please do so, either here or on Thinker's Playground.

As you consider this idea though, check out this quick clip here.

[Parthon]

Simply: You can't teach awareness.

Now to expand on it.

To teach requires another person to learn, but learning itself is the study and analysation of knowledge in order to increase one's understanding. It also includes practice for building a skill.

Can you learn awareness? Do you study and analyse awareness in order to build up your knowledge of it? Do you practice awareness to build up a skill in awareness?

To me, raising awareness is a process of questioning your knowledge and finding out the real truth. It's aboutlearning new knowledge, and then questioning it too. It's about discovery of the unknown and then questioning it.

Awareness comes from not knowledge or skills, but from the intelligent related act of discovery. When you question knowledge or belief, you discover the truth. You test it, compare and contrast it, and ultimately see if it's true. Discarding falsehood brings you closer to awareness.

Awareness itself isn't knowledge or a skill. It's a journey, as cryptic as it sounds. It doesn't need a teacher, but a guide. While this does take the power away from the guide and gives it to the student, it should. A powerless student can't raise his awareness, how could they? It's a very personal and subjective journey.

After writing this though, I realise how hard it is to nail down exactly what awareness is, and how people raise their own awareness. Technically the definition of learning can cover awareness, but the application of learning does not. Discovery is how you find awareness.

[Parthon]

I love the article, definately interesting and poses a few questions worth considering.

The line "Personally, I don’t agree that awareness can be measured in distinct levels." doesn't gel with me though. Agree/disagree should *never* take place in a discussion of awareness. It's always about finding the truth, not whether or not you agree with it.

[GavinMorrice]

Thanks for your feedback Parthon -

After the feedback I've received, I accept that I can afford to be a little more confident when presenting my arguments. This was my first public article and I was a little unsure about saying "this guy has published a popular book saying XYZ but it's wrong!". I felt it more fair to leave room for consideration.

[Parthon]

You can have strong opinions about book, even share that it was worthless for you, and that you didn't get anything out of it. Even suggest others to avoid reading it, or encourage them to if you wish.

But give your view and let the readers decide. Be strong in your views, and unabashedly give them out. They are just as valid as anyone else's.

But given that, everyone else's are as valid as yours. They aren't right or wrong, just another way to view the world.

[wolfgang]

Originally Posted by GavinMorrice

@Wolfgang - What sort of things do unlearning classes include?

It was a small group that did co-counseling. We'd pair up and one person would do their "work" while the other practiced being present and non-judgmental and observant - a good listener. The person doing their work would find unsettled emotions and let them run until there was a way to interrupt these runaway feelings. Then one could practice getting into the patterns of feelings and "install" the interrupter. Often the interrupter would be exaggerating the issue - like playing to an extreme like a soap opera - or realizing the pattern was good for something sometime in the past but does work now - in which case knowing it doesn't work now sometimes caused an interruption. Or just going in and out of drama feelings would point out how it's a regression to some younger you that originated the feelings - at which point they'd be a recognition that it's not really you in the present running those feelings - but old behavior patterns. But sometimes it was just a way to have a safe space to discharge drama type feelings - which kept people from suppressing junk.