To be awake means to be aware, alert and attentive, not lost in mental activity or drifting in a hazy cloud of nothingness.
One excellent way to solidify and deepen our efforts in waking up is to observe others.
On your next trip to a mall or park or other place suitable for ‘people-watching’, find a good spot to sit to observe the passer-byers.
First, allow your mind to become still by focusing on your breath’s for a few moments. Then, as your thinking settles down, start to observe the passer-byers with an open curiosity. See if you can get a sense of if they are awake or not.
This is not about being malicious or judgmental, but about simply being awake and curious enough to see if you can ‘detect’ if others are awake or asleep. Do they appear full in their eyes and body, or is their attention lost in the head? Are they aware of their physical location in relation to others? Can you spot people that are either completely oblivious or over-involved with their present tasks.
Watch your own thoughts about those you are observing. See of you can catch your mind making subtle judgements or commenting on the appearance of others. Notice how the mind does it all on its own. Notice how when you catch the mind judging or commenting, it stops.
Awakened Attention is the key to silencing the mind.
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