Are You Conscious?

The science says… probably not.

Consciousness can be defined as awareness of one’s internal state and external environment. All that exists fall on a spectrum of consciousness, from the inanimate and completely unconscious to the omniscient, self-actualized god. Where do you think you fall on the spectrum?

Studies have estimated that 90 to 95% of our brain activity occurs unconsciously. This activity generally includes our habits, behavioral patterns, body functions, emotional responses, core beliefs, cognitive biases, and long-term memory. Habits and automated behaviors (i.e. drinking tea/coffee, using the restroom, singing along to 90s throwbacks as you drive to work) encompass as much as 40% of your day. And don’t forget about your sleep! (We’ll talk more about sleep in a later post.)

This may seem a tad disheartening, but possessing this knowledge provides you with several opportunities. First, being aware of a problem is necessary to deal with it. Second, by knowing their importance, you can prioritize reprogramming and upgrading your habits and automated behaviors. Over time, your unconscious routine will become more efficient and your quality of life will improve (relatively speaking). Finally, this paradigm shift in thinking about your own consciousness, or general lack thereof, encourages the practice of living a self-actualized life and being conscious in the moment. (We’ll also talk more about habit hacking in a later post.)

Disagree? Something to add? Please comment below and share!

Love Always Wins,