31 AUGUST TUNING IN

It is not uncommon for unawakened human beings to be lost in thought. Ruled by their ego, they create their own suffering as they ride the waves of thought like a roller coaster, their emotions constantly dipping and rising. They become caught in a vicious cycle, not realizing that their emotions feed their ego and their ego becomes like a parasite, sucking up negative emotions, which in turn create more negative emotions. Some people become so trapped in their own thoughts that they pay little attention to the world around them.

Other species, like us, are also intelligent and capable of thought that enables them to learn, to navigate, to make decisions, and to care for their young. They are dependent upon their ability to tune in to their surroundings, literally, for their very survival. They must remain aware and observant of what is going on around them or they could easily become prey for a larger animal. A predator, too, must be able to observe closely and accurately in order to hunt successfully; for its life and that of its offspring depend upon it. Animals rely on their senses, such as hearing, smell, and sight, and in some cases, taste and touch also play a part.

How often do we tune out, rather than tune in to the world around us? With our human advancements from television and movies up to the present day of smartphones and social media, most people are tuned out most of the time. You may have had the experience of speaking to someone who was intently engaged with their phone and so completely distracted that they did not hear you.

We must begin to reawaken our senses. A good fiction writer knows that she must involve her readers with all five senses. We must make every effort to tune into the life that is all around us. We must learn to do as all other species do – to stop, to look, and to listen. We may not think that our survival depends on this; but then again, maybe it does.