The power of Consciousness

Consciousness is like a calm sea beneath the surface of our thoughts and emotions. We sense it when we pause and observe ourselves from the outside – when we suddenly realize that we are not our fear, anger, or joy, but the awareness that experiences them. Working with consciousness is therefore not just a spiritual practice, but an art of living: it is the ability to understand where we are within ourselves and to know how we can move toward greater clarity, love, and inner freedom.

What is consciousness – and why does it matter?

At its core, consciousness is about how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us. It is our inner reality, mindset, and energy – the force shaping our thoughts, feelings, and actions.

The most important thing to remember is that we are not fixed at one level of consciousness. We move up and down throughout the day, depending on our thoughts, emotions, relationships, and surroundings.

This is why it makes sense to actively work on raising our level of consciousness – so that we spend more time in the higher layers, where we experience more love, joy, flow, and meaning.

Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness – and the turning point of courage

David R. Hawkins developed a scale of human consciousness – from low to high. Each level corresponds to an emotion and an energy frequency measured in hertz.

The higher the frequency, the more love, truth, and vitality we experience. The lower the frequency, the more fear, shame, and apathy.

At 200 Hz – Courage – a significant shift occurs. Here, we begin to take responsibility and act consciously rather than reacting automatically. Courage is the gateway from unconsciousness to consciousness – without it, no real change can happen.

While Hawkins provides us with concrete levels of energy and feeling, Jung helps us understand what happens beneath the surface – in the unconscious, where our shadows, traumas, and untapped potential reside.

Working with your consciousness

Carl Gustav Jung described consciousness as the field in which we perceive ourselves and the world, while emphasizing that the majority of our psyche lies in the unconscious. This is where our shadows, traumas, and unresolved emotions reside – but also potential and creative forces we have yet to integrate.

Working with consciousness is therefore not only about being more awake in our daily life. It is about actively creating a connection between the conscious and the unconscious. Jung called this process individuation – a journey toward wholeness, in which we gradually integrate the parts of ourselves we have otherwise repressed or denied.

In practice, every time we dare to face our shadows – such as anger, fear, shame, or grief – with awareness, we open the door to greater authenticity, creativity, and inner freedom.

As Jung himself said:

"One does not become enlightened by imagining figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious."

Consciousness work and healing

When we find ourselves in the lower levels – such as fear, shame, anger, or apathy – it is often because we have previously experienced situations we could not handle. At that time, we developed a belief or defense mechanism that helped us survive, but that today may keep us trapped.

In energy work or therapy, we can return to these experiences, meet the feeling at the exact frequency at which it was created, and thereby dissolve and neutralize it.

As Peter Levine writes in “Waking the Tiger”:

"Trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold onto from what happened."

This is precisely what makes consciousness work so powerful: when we bring light into the unconscious, we free ourselves from old patterns and can live more openly, freely, and authentically.

How to raise your consciousness in daily life

1. Meditation – connect to your inner calm

   Meditation is not about emptying your mind, but about creating a quiet space where you can observe your thoughts and feelings without being caught up in them. Just 5-10 minutes a day trains your ability to sense yourself and return to a higher level of consciousness.

2. Nature – a direct source of high frequency

   Nature holds an inherent balance and energy that we naturally tune into when we are in it. A walk in the forest, sitting by the sea, or simply feeling the wind on your face can regulate your nervous system, provide mental clarity, and raise your vibration.

3. Mindful action – make everyday activities spiritual

   Anything you do with full attention – dancing, cooking, breathing exercises, or even driving – can become a spiritual practice. It is about presence.

References

• Hawkins, D.R. (2012). Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender. Hay House.

• Hawkins, D.R. (1995). Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior. Hay House.

• Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness illustration (from Veritas Publishing)

• Levine, P.A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma

• Jung, C.G. (1964). Man and His Symbols. London: Aldus Books