Use it or Lose it : The importance of Practicing Higher Consciousness
I first heard the term ‘ Use it or lose it” from my mother. She is in her mid 80’s and still drives. With her foot on the clutch and in 2nd gear, but nontheless. Iona, as she’s called, is from a long line of Celtic warrior types from the tiny Isle of Iona off the coast of Mull in the Inner Hebrides, so she’s naturally fighting back and not letting anyone stop her from driving. This is her freedom, and she knows well that taking away her freedom means a demise. And plus we all know how much the Scots like to bang on about their independence, it seems to be in the blood!
My freedom fight, at half my mothers age, is different. It’s a challenge that most of us face, and one that most of my meditation clients come to me with. It is freedom of the mind and a soul set on fire - where peace and mental wellness are created. But how much are you really fighting for it versus other, external, aspects of life? Aspects that I know are keeping people trapped. Maybe it’s because life is too busy in the first place to even work out the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of this freedom fight. Even though meditation based practices are scientifically proven to slow our demise, people still struggle to prioritise them.
“Time” is the single most common answer people give me for why they don’t meditate, but ‘time’ itself is a cause of stress in the first place. Clearing the time issue often comes first. In holistic spiritual terms, for good reason, time is a concept that doesn’t exist! Of course it’s super useful at keeping order here on planet earth!… but it’s also in place to keep us all under control. This type of ‘time control’ I often see in my meditation clients, and it causes stress and anxiety: work based deadlines, meetings and appointments running late, '‘time is money”, “I have no time to do it”, '‘ I regret not giving my family more time'‘.
So let’s stick two fingers up to time for now, and instead wrap our heads around the very real aspects of the importance of higher consciousness practices, and why you could be re-balancing your priorities to find the time to do these. Because these are life-changing, and by finding the time for them you will have an epiphany about how you are spending your very valuable time here on Mother Earth.
In this article, come with me on an exploration of ‘use it or lose it’ in relation to the freedom found in peace and mental wellness. Understanding higher consciousness practices, and discovering how to embrace them, can enhance our personal development and set our minds, hearts and souls free. These are practices that expand our awareness, deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world, and foster a sense of interconnectedness. In the pursuit of personal growth and self-improvement, higher consciousness practices are the way forward.
Strengthening Neural Pathways:
The brain sends signals based on neural pathways, which are strengthened with repeated use. We already have a series of neural pathways, and we are creating new ones all the time, but this can go either way - we can create positive habits or toxic habits.
This flexibility of the brain is called neuroplasticity, and it’s this that enables you to change habits that you thought were ingrained. Such as the impact of your view of time and the way you handle and manage your time. Just like physical exercise strengthens muscles, engaging in higher consciousness practices, such as meditation, mindfulness, or energy work, creates new neural connections and strengthens existing ones. However, neglecting these practices can lead to a decline in neural activity and block our ability to access higher states of consciousness. By consistently utilising these practices, we keep our minds sharp, focused, and receptive to transformative experiences.
2. Cultivating Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is a cornerstone of higher consciousness practices, emphasising present-moment awareness and non-judgmental observation. However, maintaining a state of mindfulness requires consistent practice. The "Use It or Lose It" principle reminds us that if we fail to actively engage in mindfulness practices, our attention may become scattered and our lives overwhelmed, and we lose touch with the profound benefits that mindful living can bring. Sounds cheesy but life really is in the moment, it’s not just in the next milestone. John Lennon said ‘life happens when you’re busy making plans’.
A scattered mind is common when giving too much of ourselves to other’s needs, and often indicates a lack of healthy personal boundaries leading to stress or burnout. By committing to regular mindfulness practices, we strengthen our capacity for sustained higher awareness and expand our conscious experience of the world around us, able to clearly see a balanced and happy version of ourselves that we can step into.
3. Deepening Self-Reflection:
Higher consciousness practices involve introspection, self-inquiry, and reflection. Through these practices, we gain insights into our thought patterns, emotions, and behaviours, enabling personal growth and transformation. However, without ongoing commitment and practice, we risk slipping back into old patterns and losing the valuable lessons we've learned.
Continually engaging in self-reflection ensures that we stay attuned to our inner world and maintain our progress on the path of self-discovery. Self-discovery is about living as your authentic self, and this is where we harness the very powerful, healing aspects of personal alignment.
4. Nurturing Connection and Empathy:
Higher consciousness practices such as guided heart meditations emphasise cultivating compassion, empathy, and connection with ourselves, and therefore open up our capacity to connect empathically with others.
However, these qualities require active practice and regular engagement to flourish. By consistently engaging in practices that foster connection, such as loving-kindness meditation or acts of service, we strengthen our ability. Being intentional in our efforts to nurture compassion and connection create ripple effects of positive change in our relationships and communities.
5. Expanding Consciousness:
The ultimate goal of higher consciousness practices is to expand our awareness and tap into higher states of consciousness. An understanding of ourselves within the collective consciousness.Actively participating in our own spiritual evolution, opening ourselves to new insights, wisdom, and transformative experiences. Regular practice keeps our consciousness vibrant, alive, and receptive to the profound shifts that occur on our journey which create the meaning in our existence.
So.. use it or lose it. Through regular practice, we empower ourselves to tap into the vast potential of higher consciousness and experience a more profound, fulfilling, happier, healthier existence.
