Dependence on Purpose, Consciousness and Mind

So, but aren't mind and consciousness the same thing?

No, of course not!

These days, we hear a lot about purpose and the importance of each of us finding ours, and this leads many people to enter an upward spiral of frustration and extreme anxiety that consequently leads them down less healthy paths and to very dark places within themselves.

Fortunately, there are authors who help us understand that although we all have a purpose in life, it is not outside of us, but within us, and that in the end it is very similar from person to person. And this may seem very strange to say, because if we are individual and unique beings, how is it that our purposes are similar? And by the way, what does this have to do with the mind and consciousness?

These two questions make perfect sense and are interconnected.

So think about the following sequence: you feel disappointed with your life, that everything is going wrong for you, and in your head you just want to give up. Your head tells you that you are not capable and that no matter what you do, you will not get anywhere, and as a result, you are always giving up on yourself. In this case, your head is your mind, and in your mind you have a way of talking to yourself. And how do you realize that you are talking to yourself in an unpleasant way? When you become aware of your actions, of your mental patterns and habits. This is where awareness comes in. And what does this have to do with purpose? EVERYTHING. Because when you become aware of where your mind is and start working on your self-knowledge, your life purpose, that which makes you want to get out of bed every day, is right there, it appears as if by a miracle. Does it make sense to you? Does it seem logical to you?

So let's delve a little deeper into the topic. To do so, I'll start by defining Mind, Consciousness and Purpose, with at least one author who is an example for me of each of the definitions. Next, I'll show you how Mind and Consciousness influence your daily life and how you can identify what state you're in and how to get out of it. Finally, I'll talk about becoming aware of the power of your mind and how you can work on it to find your Purpose. These are 3 simple steps that will help you a little more towards self-knowledge.

Let's go then

Mind	It involves the cognitive and emotional processes that allow us to perceive, think, feel and act, that is, it is the set of processes that allows the construction of internal reality and subjective experiences.	Sigmund Freud introduced the idea of the mind as a structure with conscious and unconscious parts, which had a strong influence on psychology. In his theories, the mind is composed of the id, ego, and superego.
Conscience	The state of being aware of oneself and one's surroundings, involving perceptions, thoughts, and subjective experiences. It is a complex topic that encompasses both neuroscience and philosophy.	René Descartes , a French philosopher, is an early figure in discussions about consciousness. His famous phrase "I think, therefore I am" highlights self-awareness as central to human existence.
Purpose	It is the goal or intention that directs an action or a person's life. Contemporary philosophy and psychology tend to see it as a life direction, a higher reason that motivates actions, offering meaning and direction.	Viktor Frankl , an Austrian psychiatrist, is an important reference. In his book Man's Search for Meaning , Frankl argues that human beings are driven by a search for meaning, or purpose, even in extreme circumstances. He believed that finding a purpose is essential for personal fulfillment and resilience in the face of adversity.

Knowing the concept of Mind and Consciousness, I now present the influence they have on the 4 pillars of each of our lives and how each of them reacts to adverse situations and how we can use them to deal with these challenges in a healthy way.

Physical Pillar

The physical pillar involves the physical health and well-being of the body, including nutrition, exercise, sleep, and healthy habits. Imagine an injury or a diagnosis of a serious health condition (such as a chronic illness). How does the Mind react? In this case, it may activate stress and worry responses, leading to negative thoughts such as fear of the unknown or anxiety about future limitations. So what should you do? Turn to your Consciousness. In this case, your Consciousness can intervene by observing these thoughts and feelings without completely identifying with them. By accepting the situation and directing attention to practical solutions and self-care, the person in question can achieve greater peace of mind.

Financial Pillar

The Financial pillar refers to financial stability, including income, investments, economic security, and resource planning. When faced with an unexpected job loss or a personal financial crisis, the mind tends to focus on scenarios of scarcity and insecurity, triggering anxiety, worry, and catastrophic thoughts. This is when we need to turn to Mindfulness, because it can be used to break the cycle of fear by focusing on the present and considering viable options, such as cutting expenses, seeking new opportunities, or redefining financial priorities. A mindful approach involves reassessing what is truly necessary and accepting the present moment, reducing stress and enabling a more resilient and creative mindset.

Professional Pillar

The Professional Pillar encompasses professional development and fulfillment, career growth, and job satisfaction. Let's imagine the following situation: a conflict in the workplace, such as a disagreement with a superior or colleague. The Mind often activates self-defense, generating critical thoughts and resentment, and can lead to reactive emotional responses, such as anger or frustration. On the other hand, using awareness can help observe emotions and automatic reactions without acting impulsively, promoting calm and a broader view of the situation. Awareness allows you to find a peaceful resolution and, if necessary, adapt or redirect your career in a balanced way, prioritizing both emotional and professional well-being.

Spiritual Pillar

The Spiritual Pillar refers to the deeper meaning and purpose, values and beliefs that guide life. This pillar can also be used to experience adverse situations such as an existential crisis, such as a loss of faith. In this case, the mind can react with a feeling of emptiness, persistent doubts and confusion about one's own values and meaning in life. However, cConsciousness can offer the ability to observe this feeling of emptiness without judgment, opening space for an internal re-evaluation of one's own values and beliefs. By exploring new forms of meaning and spirituality, Consciousness helps to realign oneself with a more genuine purpose, whether through meditation, gratitude practices or activities that provide deep connection.

In the examples above, the Mind tends to react automatically, often with fear, anxiety, anger or confusion, while Consciousness acts as an impartial observer that allows us to choose a more balanced and healthy response. This conscious use allows us to create sustainable solutions to face adversity in each pillar, with the wisdom of a clear mind focused on growth and emotional health.

Working on Consciousness in search of life purpose brings profound and positive consequences, because it transforms this search into a more authentic, meaningful and resilient journey, with important consequences for our general well-being. Here are 6 consequences of this awareness:

1. Greater Clarity and Self-Awareness: Working on awareness allows you to take a deeper look at your own beliefs, values, and motivations. This practice helps you distinguish what is genuinely important from external influences or social expectations, promoting a clearer understanding of what truly makes sense.

   
   

2. Reduced Anxiety and Pressure: By developing Mindfulness, a person becomes more capable of living in the present and less likely to be swayed by external pressures or comparisons with others. This reduces anxiety and allows for a lighter, more compassionate attitude in the pursuit of purpose.

   
   

3. Resilience in the Face of Obstacles: Awareness helps create a broader and more impartial view of challenges, strengthening the ability to deal with failures and difficulties. The person begins to see obstacles as part of the learning process, rather than definitive barriers, increasing resilience and perseverance.

   
   

4. Connecting with Intuition: Working on Consciousness makes it easier to access intuition and inner wisdom. With less mental noise and automatic judgments, it becomes easier to perceive insights and intuitive guidance, which often lead to decisions that are more aligned with personal purpose.

   
   

5. Increased Fulfillment and Satisfaction: By aligning with a genuine and conscious purpose, one experiences a deeper sense of fulfillment and satisfaction, regardless of external outcomes. This is because purpose is experienced as an internal state of contribution and growth, rather than simply as a goal to be achieved.

   
   

6. Greater Sense of Interconnection: The practice of Mindfulness often leads to a broader perception of oneself in relation to others and the world. Consciously seeking a purpose leads one to find a purpose that includes altruistic values and contribution, reinforcing a sense of interconnection and social responsibility.

   
   

Working on Consciousness transforms the search for purpose into a continuous process of learning and self-discovery, guided by authentic intentions, a stronger mind and a more open heart. The most significant consequence is that the person finds a purpose that nourishes them internally and positively impacts those around them, creating a fuller and more connected life experience.

That said, work on your Mental Awareness to find your purpose, because only then will everything in Life make sense to you.