i think that the the Buddhists have quite a contribution to this whole thing with their emphasis on awareness in all life situations. i have noticed another thing though. It is one thing to be aware and totally another to do something about that awareness. i mean there are a lot of intelligent people out there that are in the same rut they have been in for years. The same grooves are being played out despite the awareness. It seems to me that meditation is the best way to start moving out of those old patterns since our consciousness starts changing and then our patterns of behavior more naturally take new paths. It also helps to have the encouragement of a Master to provide life learning inspiration.
Jitendra
Steve, I think your observations( I underlined parts of your post) are so true. It is the same with other things, (not just awareness) one thing to have knowledge of something and better yet if one puts this knowledge to use. Great connection using meditation as a way to do this changing of patterns and expanding the consciousness. And of course, things are becoming so much clearer now that I am starting to read Master's lessons. Thank you for your encouragement in that direction.
Into Blue