Just Awareness

 I used to feel that one of the main functions of meditation practice is to give rise to particular emotions, such as gratitude and compassion. Lately, I suggest that just having an awareness of what's happening in any situation is already a good place, because the awareness itself is often half the battle when it comes to emotions. As long as I am aware that I am having certain kinds of emotions or tensions, I am then just witnessing them and not having to act out on them, while at the same time not suppressing them in any way. But one of the key components for this to work is not to identify ourselves with any of our emotions, or even strive to embody the emotions of those around us. This, I have found, is incredibly powerful, because it pulls the rug out from the self's continual striving to perfect itself, or to please others, which often gives rise to vexations.
   I am not suggesting, however, that the awareness exists in a social vacuum, since there are always going to be social pressures to be a certain way or conform to standards at work and in personal life. But through the process of awareness that I am not these conditions, I am opening this space where I am not seeing myself as moved by the social pressures. I can decide to follow them or I might just keep my distance and allow other details to emerge. In other words, awareness allows for a more 'analog' and less 'digital' way of responding to things and situations.