You may think you woke up this morning—but are you really awake? Not from physical sleep, but from the mental sleep that often clouds our awareness during waking hours. This type of sleep masks itself as normal living but keeps us trapped in illusions, false beliefs, and unconscious behaviors.
Awakening is not a single moment but a continuous process of self-awareness. It requires time, intention, and the courage to recognize where we are clinging to what isn’t true. As strange as it sounds, most people live in a kind of collective slumber. And if there were a conspiracy behind it, the conspirators would be asleep themselves!
The Inner Alarm Clock
Waking up begins when you notice one of three mental patterns: reacting, resisting, or repeating mistakes. These moments often bring discomfort or emotional pain. That pain is the alarm clock. But just like the one on your nightstand, you can either get up or hit snooze.
In everyday life, “waking up” means catching yourself in a negative pattern and choosing a new response. Yet many of us drift back to sleep simply because it’s easier. That continues until the suffering becomes too much—or until we tire of carrying emotional weight we no longer need.
Below are eight signs that you may still be sleepwalking through life.
1. Blaming Others for Stress
You’re asleep if you believe others cause your stress. Stress is a personal response—not something others can give or take. Every time you point a finger outward, you avoid your own power. The awakened person takes full responsibility for their thoughts, feelings, and actions—always.
2. Comparing Yourself to Others
You’re asleep if you judge your worth by comparing yourself to others. This habit suggests you don’t see your own value or uniqueness. The awakened person affirms their worth and focuses on growing their own potential—without wanting to become someone else.
3. Trying to Control Others
You’re asleep if you try to control or manipulate people. While others may appear to follow your lead, they ultimately make their own choices. Control is an illusion—and a draining one. The awakened person doesn’t exploit others; instead, they lead with integrity and help others awaken.
4. Emotional Indulgence
You’re asleep if you cling to emotional highs or lows. Whether it’s anger, sorrow, or anxiety, indulging emotions becomes a way to feel alive. But emotions like these can become addictions. The awakened person chooses their feelings consciously and doesn’t rely on external triggers for emotional stimulation.
5. Believing You’re Being Controlled
You’re asleep if you think others control your life. While circumstances may influence you, they don’t define you. The awakened person knows they always choose their response. That truth sets them free—even in difficult situations.
6. Buying Happiness
You’re asleep if you rely on shopping or acquiring things to feel happy. It suggests you believe you’re incomplete. The awakened person knows they are already whole. They don’t chase fulfillment—they express it.
7. Seeing Others as the Problem
You’re asleep if you think someone else is the problem. It’s not what they do that causes distress; it’s how you interpret it. Your perception creates your emotions. The awakened person chooses how to view others and responds with compassion, not blame.
8. Chasing Expectations
You’re asleep if your peace depends on having your expectations met. Most expectations are hidden desires—and every desire contains the fear of not getting what you want. The awakened person has expectations, but their happiness doesn’t depend on outcomes.
Staying Awake
Waking up is a daily practice. You don’t have to fight your illusions—just see them clearly. When you understand their origins, they lose their power. Over time, the balance tips. Staying awake becomes easier than falling back asleep.
No one escapes this journey. Whether exalted or humble, every human being must eventually awaken to their inner truth. The good news? We awaken together.
Questions for Reflection and Action
Self-Awareness:
Rate each of the eight sleep signs on a scale of 1–10. Which ones show up most often in your life?
Daily Practice:
Choose one sign per day. Reflect on it and practice the awakened version of yourself in real-life situations.
Support Each Other:
Share this with a friend. Start a conversation titled “Waking Up—Do You Agree?” and support one another in breaking free from sleepy patterns.
Written by our professor Mike George.
