WAKE UP!

1. Recognize Autopilot: The Default State of Disconnection

Most of our lives are spent on autopilot is due to the way our brains work.

Brain efficiency. Our brains operate consciously and subconsciously. The conscious brain handles complex tasks but uses a lot of energy. The subconscious brain is highly efficient, recognizing patterns and automating responses based on past experiences to conserve energy. This automation is necessary for daily functioning, but it becomes problematic when it takes over most of our lives.

Caveman brain influence. The human brain retains ancient survival instincts, hardwired to spot potential dangers and react instantly. This "caveman brain" is wary of anything new or challenging, preferring familiarity and routine. When on autopilot, we obey this negativity bias unthinkingly, leading to fear-driven, reactive behavior that keeps us stuck and prevents growth.

Living in the Shadowlands. When the subconscious and caveman brain are in charge, we live reactively, driven by instinct rather than insight. This state feels numb, passive, and disconnected from ourselves and others. Time flies by as we are lost in thoughts, fantasies, or digital distractions, existing in a primal, almost animalistic way, rather than being fully awake and present.

2. Wake Up: Choose Presence and Connection

When we wake up, we notice that we are anything but on our own; we are truly connected to everything and everybody on this planet because, energetically, we are all one.

The conscious state. Waking up means entering a conscious, connected state characterized by crystal clarity and presence. In these moments, fears and worries dissipate, and everything feels perfect, fun, light, and playful. This state allows for deliberate responses rather than reactive ones, offering wider choice and the ability to appreciate situations positively.

Benefits of being awake. When conscious, the mind quietens, becoming present and focused. This heightened sensitivity helps discern what is truly important, allowing us to leave petty obsessions behind. We harmonize with the world instead of fighting it, finding that everything becomes easier. It's a vital state that couldn't be more different from being on autopilot.

Cultivating wakefulness. While autopilot is the default, deliberately waking ourselves up more often profoundly impacts life quality, decisions, and joy. The more frequently we practice conscious awareness, the more attuned we become, weakening autopilot's grip. It's an ongoing process, but even small changes in awareness can have a far greater impact than imagined.

3. Master Your Energy: Fuel Your Body and Mind

For us to wake up we need a good clean energy system.

Energy for consciousness. The conscious brain requires significant energy to function optimally and maintain balance with the subconscious. When energy is low, the subconscious takes over, making it difficult to stay awake and connected. Therefore, managing personal energy is crucial for regular wakefulness.

Physical energy sources. Powering up involves tuning our physical systems through nutrition, exercise, sleep, and rest. Poor breathing, reliance on stimulants (caffeine, sugar, alcohol), sedentary habits, and ignoring the body's clock deplete energy and invite autopilot. Simple practices like deep breathing, movement breaks (bathroom buff-up, standing), and mindful eating provide clean fuel.

Mental and emotional energy. Beyond the physical, energy management includes dealing with negativity and fear, improving focus, and being open to possibility. Encouraging positive emotions, playfulness, and heightened sensitivity to the world also boosts energy. Tuning into what resonates positively helps us maintain a dynamic, balanced, and vital state.

4. Tune In: Heighten Your Awareness of the World

To be awake to the world we live in we need to see more.

Stepping back from busyness. Fast-paced lives focused on constant doing make it hard to tune in to ourselves and the world. Frenetic activity desensitizes us. Tuning in requires slowing down, becoming present, and recalibrating our systems to notice details we usually miss, like the nuances of a river's flow or the intricacies of a new street.

Practicing observation. A simple way to start tuning in is to carry a notebook and deliberately note down anything interesting noticed throughout the day – people, conversations, buildings, fleeting glances, sounds, or rhythms. This conscious act sensitizes us to our environment and helps us understand what creates an emotional reaction or grabs our attention.

Benefits of heightened awareness. By deliberately noticing, we become more attuned to the energy of places and people, potentially experiencing more synchronicity. This increased sensitivity enhances our sense of connectedness and vitality. Tuning in helps us get our inner energies ready before connecting to external ones, making it easier to stay present and aware.

5. Plug In: Connect to Energies Beyond Yourself

When we plug in as well, we take things to a higher level altogether.

Beyond inner work. While spiritual practices help balance inner energies, plugging in connects us to the vast energies surrounding us daily. This connection is a shortcut to waking up, expanding our perception beyond our usual awareness and providing a positive energetic kick. It helps us feel connected to something much bigger, where everything becomes possible.

Sources of external energy. Energy sources are everywhere, often in surprising places. They can be found in nature (sea, woods, trees, sky, sunrise/sunset), people (meaningful connection, Spielzeug in others), places (buildings, locations with Spielzeug), art, music, literature, and even simple activities done with full presence (making tea). Identifying personal plug-ins creates ways to wake up anywhere.

Recognizing the connection. You know something is plugging you in when it helps you tune in, expands your perception, gives a positive energetic kick, and makes you feel connected to something much bigger. The wider your repertoire of plug-ins, the more easily you can vary your approach to suit the moment, allowing you to wake up whenever needed.

6. Embrace Playfulness and Creativity

Being frivolous and playful can easily be lost from our nature, and yet it is so much a part of our essence.

Countering seriousness. Modern life's pressure and complexity can make us feel constrained and lose our natural playfulness. We spend very little time laughing. Reconnecting with this essence is vital for enjoying life and waking up. Simple, frivolous acts can be more effective than serious therapeutic processes.

Unleashing creativity. Unfamiliar creative challenges engage us uniquely, preventing autopilot. Writing a song, drawing, or experimenting with sounds (chanting) helps us self-express without rules or restrictions, clicking us into a different level of focus and presence. Creativity is a necessary fuel for life, keeping us awake and making life spectacular through experimentation.

Simple joys and inner child. Reconnecting with childlike joy through simple pleasures like climbing a tree, making a paper aeroplane, or dancing with abandon helps us remember the fun this life should be. These acts reconnect us to who we once were, reminding us that we don't need more stuff, just to lighten up and have a giggle.

7. Challenge Your Habits and Comfort Zone

By saying yes instead of no for a change, we open ourselves up to new avenues of life and therefore have to be more conscious, aware and awake as we engage in them.

Habits trigger autopilot. Our subconscious loves familiarity and routine, creating habits that steer us through daily decisions efficiently but blind us to new opportunities. This deep habituation keeps us on autopilot, preventing us from experiencing the full Technicolor of life. Breaking these patterns is essential for waking up.

Embracing the new. Deliberately doing something new each day, even small things like trying a new lunch spot or striking up a conversation with a stranger, challenges the caveman brain's fear of uncertainty. Engaging in new activities heightens senses and awareness, making autopilot struggle to take control and offering a more liberating perspective.

Saying yes and no. Learning to say "yes" to things we'd normally refuse opens us to new experiences and requires conscious engagement. Conversely, learning to say "no" to responsibilities we'd usually accept creates space and prevents resentment, allowing us to say "yes" to ourselves and others with full commitment. Both acts require consciousness and build control over our time and lives.

8. Connect Deeply with Yourself and Others

Meaningful human connection makes us not only happier but also healthier and helps us to live longer.

Combating disconnection. It's easy to feel alone in our struggles, but deep connection is vital for wellbeing. Lack of connection is detrimental to health. Meaningful human interaction provides inspiration, lifts us up, and helps us make the best of every day, contributing significantly to happiness and longevity.

Sharing and expressing. Connecting deeply involves sharing our inner world and emotions. Practices like "walkie talkie" (talking fast to uncover truth), telling an untold story, journaling, and fully feeling emotions (even negative ones) help us connect with ourselves. Sharing these aspects with trusted others fosters deeper bonds and therapeutic release.

Positive interactions. Simple acts of connection like sharing what you love about someone, sharing a giggle, or smiling at everyone you meet program our attention to notice positivity and brilliance in others. These interactions create deeper connections, make the world brighter, and provide the vital human connection needed to stay awake and fulfilled.

9. Gain Perspective: See Life from a Wider View

This expansive way of looking at life, the universe and everything can help us gain clarity and realize that we are players on a small stage in a vast cosmic arena...

Escaping the bubble. Modern life can make us feel trapped and focused only on our immediate concerns. Our perspective becomes skewed, losing sight of the bigger picture. Gaining a wider view helps recalibrate from the pace of life and reminds us of our place in the universe, making daily worries seem less significant.

Cosmic and earthly views. Imagining seeing Earth from space, watching sunrise or sunset, or simply staring at the sky connects us to the vastness and harmony of the cosmos. Considering the immense age of the universe and the rarity of life on Earth fosters awe and wonder, reminding us to make the most of our extraordinary gift.

Challenging material focus. Fantasizing about winning £50 million often reveals that true dreams are about quality of life and how we spend our time, not just material possessions. Living on a limited budget (£5 a day) forces conscious choices about what truly matters. These exercises shift focus from what can be counted to what counts, helping us prioritize and live more intentionally.

10. Own Your Life: Take Responsibility and Act

Our world is our creation and not one that happens by accident.

Beyond excuses. It's easy to blame circumstances or external factors for not living the life we want. This mindset keeps us small and stuck on autopilot. Owning your life means recognizing that how you show up dictates what you attract and that your response to events, good or bad, shapes your quality of life.

Facing negativity and regret. Autopilot has a negativity bias, interpreting everyday occurrences as dangers. Consciously noticing negative reactions, breathing into them, and questioning their justification helps overcome this. Addressing past regrets, even energetically or through reconciliation, lifts heavy energy and allows you to live more fully in the present.

Taking the leap. Doing something "big" that feels exciting and scary, like starting a business or moving abroad, jolts you out of autopilot and reminds you that anything is possible. These game-changing decisions, while perceived as risky by others, often feel right internally. Lack of preparation is often just an excuse; the time is never perfect, but taking the plunge proves your capacity for extraordinary living.

Last updated: May 3, 2025