reaction paper 8


In Chapter 4, Tolle argues that there are different levels of unconsciousness. More specifically, people go back and forth between two levels of consciousness: ordinary unconsciousness and deep unconsciousness. Ordinary unconsciousness is the normal state that people usually are in, and that Tolle says does not involve a high level of pain or unhappiness, but rather a constant feeling of something not right, an unease that always stays with us in the background.  It is something that most people do not even realize is there until it stops, and relief is felt. Tolle compares this to the sound of an air conditioner that we do not realize is there until it stops.
Deep unconsciousness is a state of deep pain that comes from the “worsening” of conditions felt in ordinary unconsciousness. Tolle calls it an “intensified” ordinary unconsciousness, as it is not different in symptoms but in the degree of which the symptoms are felt. This comes when the “ego” feels threatened by a major life event such as loss, conflict or intense challenges. For Tolle, this state is the only one that can cause physical violence. Someone in the state of unconsciousness, when faced with challenges, is likely to always sink further into that unconsciousness, meaning that they will more easily fall from ordinary unconsciousness into deep unconsciousness. However, a conscious person faced with challenges would actually increase their level of consciousness.
This is why it is important to practice being in a state of consciousness at all times, even when nothing is particularly wrong and everything feels normal. The constant act of being conscious, and not allowing any disturbance, means that there is little to no chance that feelings of anxiety, fear, or anger would arise when something does go wrong, because your consciousness acts as a sort of shield to protect from outside negativity. At the same time, consciousness would allow you to be aware of the “symptoms” that you would not necessarily realize while being in the state of ordinary unconsciousness.
Every new chapter in Tolle’s book makes me think of something in my life that I can understand through what he says. This particularly reminded me of the fact that a lot of the times, I would be in situations that I don’t feel are stressful in my mind, but my body reacts differently, and I would feel symptoms of stress or anxiety. But what Tolle says makes a lot of sense to me, in that it may be that I’m just not realizing what is there because of being in the state of ordinary unconsciousness. This is something that is very important for everyone to realize, as I am sure that everyone can relate to this. I am looking forward to the following chapters to learn more about this and to further practice consciousness.

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