Awareness ...by Sr. Monika

I was born into this world both as the person God created and to become the person God intends me to be. The process of becoming is dynamic and ongoing throughout a lifetime. I am a person with a particular set of genes and characteristics inherited from my parents. I become the person I want to become through various life experiences—not only through the experiences themselves, but also through my perception of them, my emotional responses to them, my understanding of them and my reflection on them. In Benedictine terms, this is a process of conversion, of turning from an old way to take on a new way.

Awareness is the practice that helps in my becoming. When I am aware of my body and its needs I can take care of it in a more intentional way. When I am aware of my surroundings—my family and friends, my home, my workplace, Earth herself—I become a better steward of these precious gifts.

When I become aware of my habits, patterns that shape my life, my emotions, my motivations, I become ever more free to make changes. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” Awareness is like a pair of glasses. When I use the glasses everything comes into focus. When I am aware I can see the truth more clearly and I am free to make choices—I am free to grow.

How do I become aware? By LISTENING. The Holy Rule of St. Benedict opens with the word, “Listen,” the foundation of the Benedictine monastic way. I listen to the God who dwells within me, to the God of Earth and universe, to church and community. I listen to family and friends, to my body, to society and to my own deepest desires.

The more aware I am the more congruent my life becomes, actions matching intentions. I am free to become the person God intends.