Awareness Question?

**Ajanime22** · 05-13-2016 04:46 AM

So, in all of the dreams in which I have become lucid and, it seems to have been due to me noticing something off after experiencing the moment and being present. Lately, I've been trying to consciously and continually be present to the point where I actually focus on being present and think about what's going on in this moment. However, if I'm thinking about my presence, doesn't that mean that I'm not present anymore because I'm in my head and not in the moment? (Even if I'm in my head about being in the moment?)

Can someone explain please?

Thanks in advance.

**dolphin** · 05-13-2016 05:43 AM

Yes, as long as you're thinking about your presence, that means you're not being present anymore. But, it doesn't take much for you to become present again, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Say you're in a dream and you're thinking about being present. Sure, when you're thinking about being present, you're not present, but something related to the concept of dreaming is on your mind. When you're at this point, all you have to do is become present enough to notice the dream itself before connecting this with your memory of dreaming in order to become lucid. Given that it's easier to notice the dream itself than it is to notice something in the dream which reminds you of dreaming, thinking about something related to dreaming during the dream isn't a bad position to be in, even if you aren't present while thinking about it.

**ThreeCat** · 05-13-2016 01:27 PM

It really depends. Thinking doesn't mean "no awareness." Thinking is just an elaboration of awareness. If I recognize I am dreaming, and then think, "This is a dream," I don't suddenly lose awareness. That would be ridiculous. Thought can and should be used as a support to return to awareness, but thought in and of itself does not take awareness away. You are aware of the thoughts, aren't you? How is this possible if thoughts "take awareness away?" The only issue is being lost in thoughts, and believing in thoughts. That's when you get messed up.

**Gyalogos** · 05-13-2016 02:23 PM

Thinking with awareness in the here and now is not the same as zoomed out (fainted and sleeping in your bla-bla-bla). I think, that concise, useful and creative ideas, good humor, "coolness" (etc.) can be cultivated out from the "thinking with awareness". Maybe there is just this one important: being in the now. Where your focus is, is a secondary thing.

**Ajanime22** · 05-13-2016 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by ThreeCat

It really depends. Thinking doesn't mean "no awareness." Thinking is just an elaboration of awareness. If I recognize I am dreaming, and then think, "This is a dream," I don't suddenly lose awareness. That would be ridiculous. Thought can and should be used as a support to return to awareness, but thought in and of itself does not take awareness away. You are aware of the thoughts, aren't you? How is this possible if thoughts "take awareness away?" The only issue is being lost in thoughts, and believing in thoughts. That's when you get messed up.

I get that thoughts can help. But, I find that when I am thinking about the present moment, more often then not, My thoughts start wandering and I get lost thinking about useless stuff. (For a long time)

I just wanted to know how I should be present, yet think at the same time.

**ThreeCat** · 05-13-2016 04:46 PM

, My thoughts start wandering and I get lost thinking about useless stuff. (For a long time)

It's not the thoughts, but your ideas about thoughts (what you think they are) and how much attention you give them. If you just notice the thought as just a thought, then there isn't a problem. If you tack on a whole stream of thinking to elaborate on that initial thought, there is an issue, because you are likely distracted. If you are present there is not much need to think. It will happen but it's not a big deal.