Comments on: Habits — Acts of Unconsciousness

By: Jenny and Erin — a tongue-in-cheek quest for understanding…

Jenny and Erin — a tongue-in-cheek quest for understanding… — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:33:03 +0000

[...] Gregory Allen Butler at Holistic Personal Development wrote Habits – Acts of Unconsciousness [...]

By: Gregory Allen Butler

Gregory Allen Butler — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 18:57:54 +0000

Erin,

Thanks for your comments. It’s not so much that we examine every habit, but that we are fully embracing each moment with conscious awareness. The light of consciousness dispels the darkness of unconsciousness. And with that the banality of habits disappear.

But the things you do need not change. The issue is not about the pros and cons of the things we do automatically, it’s about doing them with awareness. It’s like the old Zen story of life before enlightenment: cutting wood and carrying water. And then after enlightenment, cutting wood and carrying water. The same exact thing, but yet different.

Each moment is an opportunity to become more closely aligned in consciousness with our source of being, our highest self. Just because you are checking the mail or brushing your teeth doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy that Presence of Being while engaged in the activity. That is real life. That is becoming more human. That’s why we’re here in physical bodies in this dimension of time and space. To gain awareness.

By: Erin

Erin — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:49:41 +0000

Gregory, excellent post! The imagery of habits – whether good or bad – binding us is great. Is it possible to examine and be aware of every habit? Would we get stuck weighing the pros and cons of some things we do automatically, like checking the mailbox after work, brushing my teeth, etc? Or is it possible to live that consciously?

By: holistic-personal-development.com » Habits and Discipline

holistic-personal-development.com » Habits and Discipline — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:33:13 +0000

[...] I was asked in the comments section of my post, Habits — Acts of Unconsciousness, if habits can ever support inspiration. The answer is no. Habits are thoughtless and not based on [...]

By: Gregory Allen Butler

Gregory Allen Butler — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 02:08:56 +0000

Jenny, the short answer is no, habits cannot support inspiration. Habits are thoughtless and not based on awareness. Inspiration comes from consciousness. However, a discipline that is born out of perception and inspiration is another matter. That is something that has the power of truth behind it. That is following one’s bliss. And because of the bliss and inner fulfillment, the discipline is effortless and joyful.

But a habit formed by the mind without the insight of consciousness is dry and mechanical. There is no inner satisfaction. Only sweat and tears.

I’ll expand on this in another post. Thanks for the question.

By: David Webb

David Webb — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:20:22 +0000

I had never thought of a good habit as a constraint. Interesting concept. I’ll try to get my head around that.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 02:41:15 +0000

Great post! Your perspective is definitely running counter to most and gives me much to think about. Thank you so much for writing this.

Do you think it is ever possible to use habits to support your inspiration?