Consciousness: The Mystery Behind Awareness

INTRODUCTION

Consciousness is something we all experience, but few of us truly understand. It’s the awareness that allows you to hear your own thoughts, feel your emotions, and witness the world around you. It’s what makes you you—and yet, it’s the one thing most of us rarely question.

Where does consciousness come from? Is it a product of the brain, or something far deeper? And perhaps most importantly—who is it that’s aware of your experience?

When I first started meditating, I (like most people) thought I had to clear my mind. I believed the goal was silence or stillness, and when my thoughts wouldn’t stop, I assumed I was doing it wrong. I struggled with meditation for a long time—until I learned to ask the question: “Who am I?”

Not my name.

Not what I do for a living.

Not my role as a wife or mother.

Not my personality or intelligence type 

 Not even my thoughts.

I’m the observer.

I’m the one who notices the thoughts, the feelings, and the reactions.

When I understood that, I finally understood what meditation really was. It’s not about getting rid of your thoughts—it’s about sitting with your true self. The one who simply watches. The one who just is.

It’s not about clearing the mind. It’s about becoming aware of the one who’s watching it.

That is consciousness.

THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

In the scientific world, consciousness is often called “the hard problem”—a term coined by philosopher David Chalmers. While we understand how neurons fire, how the brain processes information, and even how thoughts form, we still don’t know why any of it is accompanied by subjective experience.

Why does seeing the colour red feel a certain way? Why does music evoke emotion? Why is there an inner voice narrating your life—and who is listening?

Some scientists believe consciousness arises from complex brain activity. Others propose it may be a fundamental force, like space or time—something that doesn’t emerge from the brain but is instead filtered through it. Research into altered states, near-death experiences, and quantum theory has further challenged the idea that consciousness is limited to the physical brain.

THE SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

Spiritual teachings often begin with the idea that consciousness is not something you have—it’s something you are. You are not your body, your mind, or your thoughts. You are the awareness observing it all.

When I began to understand this, everything shifted.

Meditation became something completely different.

It was no longer about trying to fix myself or quiet my mind. It became about sitting with my true self—the one who watches without judgment, who feels without attachment, who simply exists.

In Eastern philosophies, this awareness is called Atman, or the Self. In mystical traditions, it’s the soul, the witness, or divine presence. Spirituality doesn’t just teach about consciousness—it invites you to return to it. To be it. To let everything else fall away.

BRIDGING THE GAP

Science and spirituality often ask the same questions, but from different angles.

• ·Science seeks to measure and explain consciousness.

  
  

• Spirituality seeks to embody and live it.

  
  

When we bridge the two, we begin to see that consciousness isn’t just a feature of the brain or a poetic metaphor—it’s a real, living presence within us and around us.

Science helps us understand the systems that shape our awareness.

Spirituality reminds us that we are more than those systems—we are the awareness itself.

Together, they offer a fuller picture: one that’s grounded in research but rooted in something eternal.

CONCLUSION

Consciousness is more than thought. It’s more than awareness. It is the quiet presence beneath all things—the observer behind the scenes, the stillness underneath the noise.

To explore consciousness is not just to understand life—it’s to wake up within it.

And once you do, everything begins to change.

The Flower Moon: Full Bloom, Full Clarity

INTRODUCTION

Each full moon carries a unique name and energy—and May’s full moon is known as the Flower Moon, a nod to the explosion of blossoms that fill the earth this time of year. It’s a time of beauty, growth, and emergence. Just like the flowers pushing through the soil, we’re invited to rise, stretch, and bloom into who we’re becoming.

In 2025, the Flower Moon reaches its peak on Monday, May 12 at 12:56 p.m. EDT, but you’ll feel its energy—and see its brightness—the nights before and after, especially on May 11 and 13. This makes for a perfect weekend to pause, reflect, and engage in ritual or intention-setting.

THE ENERGY OF THE FLOWER MOON

The Flower Moon is all about flourishing. We’ve moved through the slower, inward energy of winter and the fresh starts of early spring. Now, we’re in a season of momentum. This moon supports:

• Personal growth and expansion

  
  

• Creativity and self-expression

  
  

• Clarity and insight

  
  

• Honouring how far you’ve come

  
  

• Nurturing what you want to see bloom next

It’s also a powerful time to check in: What are you feeding with your energy? Are your thoughts and actions supporting your growth—or holding it back?

THE SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

Spiritually, the Flower Moon invites us to tend to our internal garden. What beliefs are blooming? What emotions are in full colour? What needs pruning to create space for more beauty, more truth, more alignment?

This moon also reminds us of the divine timing in everything. Flowers don’t bloom before they’re ready. Trust that your path is unfolding exactly as it should—and that you don’t need to rush to catch up. You’re right on time.

HOW TO WORK WITH THIS FULL MOON

This is a perfect time for any ritual involving clarity, growth, and release. Here are a few ideas:

• Make Moon Water: Infuse it with intentions of abundance, beauty, and clarity (see our full moon water blog for instructions).

  
  

• Write a Gratitude List: Reflect on what’s already blooming in your life, big or small.

  
  

• Do a Release Ritual: Burn or bury limiting beliefs that are stunting your growth.

  
  

• Flower Bath or Offering: Use petals or essential oils in a bath to embody the energy of blossoming.

  
  

• Spend Time in Nature: Walk, breathe, or meditate among the flowers and trees. Let the earth mirror your growth.

  
  

BRIDGING THE GAP: WHY IT WORKS

You don’t have to believe in moon magic to feel the shift in energy during a full moon. Scientifically, full moons impact tides and light cycles—both of which affect our biology, including sleep and mood. Energetically, full moons symbolize illumination: what’s been hidden comes into view. By working with this energy intentionally, we’re simply tuning into what’s already happening around (and within) us.

CLOSING THOUGHTS(PERSONAL NOTE)

I’ve always loved the Flower Moon—it feels gentle but powerful, like a reminder to stop hiding and start showing up in full colour. Every year, I find myself returning to the same question: What am I ready to bloom into now? And even when I don’t know the answer, just sitting under the moonlight with that question feels healing.

Moon Water Magic: A Simple Ritual with Deep Roots

INTRODUCTION

Moon water might sound mystical or even a little “out there”—and honestly, that’s how I felt at first. But over time, it’s become one of my absolute favourite tools for setting intentions. Whether you’re deep into lunar rituals or just beginning to explore the moon’s influence, making moon water is a simple yet powerful way to align yourself with nature, your goals, and your deeper self.

THE SCIENCE OF WATER & INTENTION

Water isn’t just a physical substance—it’s a conductor of energy. Experiments like those by Dr. Masaru Emoto suggest water can respond to the frequency of emotion, intention, and sound. While these ideas aren’t universally accepted in the scientific world, they resonate with quantum theories about energy and observation, and mirror what many spiritual practices have claimed for centuries: that intention changes reality. Making moon water is a beautiful ritual rooted in this concept—charging water with both the energy of the moon and the energy of your mind.

THE SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

The moon has long been seen as a symbol of intuition, feminine energy, and emotional tides. It reflects the light of the sun, just as we reflect and process the energy around us. Each phase of the moon brings a unique energetic frequency:

• New Moon: Ideal for new beginnings and setting fresh intentions.

  
  

• Waxing Moon: Supports growth, action, and momentum.

  
  

• Full Moon: A time of heightened energy, release, and manifestation.

  
  

• Waning Moon: Perfect for letting go, cleansing, and reflection.

And don’t forget the type of full moon—like the Flower Moon in May—which adds another energetic layer. The Flower Moon is often linked to blooming potential, growth, and embracing change. For an extra boost, align your intentions with the energy of the moon phase and type.

HOW TO MAKE MOON WATER

Here’s how to create your own moon water ritual:

1. Choose a Clean Glass Container – A mason jar or bottle works beautifully.

   
   

2. Fill with Water – Filtered or spring water is best if you plan to ingest it or use it on your skin. Tap water works fine for symbolic or external use.

   
   

3. Set Your Intention – Hold the jar and speak or silently focus on your intention. For added alignment, tailor your intention to the moon’s phase and energy.

   
   

4. Place Under the Moonlight – Set your container somewhere it can soak up the moon’s energy—outdoors or on a windowsill. Even if it’s cloudy, the energy is still present.

   
   

5. Retrieve Before Sunrise – Collect it in the early morning hours before sunlight touches it, as solar energy can disrupt its lunar charge.

   
   

6. Store in a Cool, Dark Place – Avoid placing it in the fridge, as the light may interfere with the energy imprint. A cupboard or altar cabinet works well.

Ways to Use Moon Water:

• Add to a ritual bath or foot soak

  
  

• Use in a spray bottle to cleanse your space

  
  

• Sip during meditation or journaling (if water was safe to drink)

  
  

• Anoint your third eye or heart chakra before spiritual work

  
  

• Water plants with it to infuse them with your intention

  
  

• Use to cleanse crystals or tools (if safe for the items)

BRIDGING THE GAP

At first glance, moon water can seem like a purely spiritual or “woo” practice—but at its core, it’s a method of mindfulness, grounding, and intention-setting. Just like journaling or meditation, it’s a way to slow down and consciously connect with what you’re calling into your life. Whether you believe in energy or not, focusing your thoughts in this way has psychological power. When we combine that intention with ritual and the rhythms of nature, it becomes even more potent.

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I was first introduced to moon water by a friend who practices witchcraft. At the time, I was hesitant—this felt too “witchy” and out of my comfort zone. But I gave it a try, and everything changed. I realized moon water wasn’t about casting spells or superstition. It was about working with intention, rhythm, and embodiment. After infusing the water with my intention and the moon’s energy, I didn’t just set a goal—I became it. Drinking or using the water helped me carry that intention with me, and something about it felt more complete—more real—than other tools I’d tried. It’s now a ritual I return to again and again.