Self aware or self conscious?

BKS Iyengar often discussed the importance of developing self awareness and distinguishing it from self consciousness. 

First, it’s important to define these two terms. Self awareness is the ability to observe oneself and one’s actions without judgment or criticism. It involves being mindful of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. Self consciousness, on the other hand, is a state of being overly aware of oneself and one’s appearance or actions in a way that can be self-critical or self-consciousness. 

According to Iyengar, self awareness is a crucial component of yoga practice, as it allows us to understand our bodies and minds more deeply. We can identify areas of tension, imbalance, or resistance and work to release or improve them. Self awareness also helps us to recognize patterns or habits of thinking that may be holding us back or causing stress. By tuning in to our own experience, we can cultivate greater intimacy and understanding with ourselves. 

However, Iyengar also cautioned against self consciousness, which can detract from our ability to be present and focused in the moment. When we are overly aware of ourselves, we may become distracted or preoccupied with our own thoughts, judgments, or insecurities. This can interfere with our ability to fully engage in our practice or our relationships with others. 

So how can we cultivate self awareness without slipping into self consciousness? Iyengar suggested that we begin by simply observing ourselves, without judgment or attachment to any particular experience. We can watch our breath, notice our posture, and observe our thoughts and emotions as they arise. By practicing this kind of detached observation, we can learn to become more aware of ourselves without getting caught up in self-critical or self-conscious thoughts. 

Additionally, Iyengar emphasized the importance of practicing yoga poses with alignment and precision, as this can help to bring the mind into a state of focused awareness. When we are fully engaged in the details of our practice, we are less likely to become distracted by self-conscious thoughts. Instead, we can direct our attention to the sensations in our body, the breath, and the present moment. 

Overall, self awareness is a valuable tool for deepening our understanding of ourselves and our relationship to the world around us. By learning to observe ourselves without judgment or attachment, we can cultivate a greater sense of intimacy and compassion for ourselves and others. At the same time, it’s important to remain mindful of the distinction between self awareness and self consciousness, and to work to cultivate a state of focused awareness in our practice and in our lives.