…Awareness reflects a different set of operating principles and tends to be more benign and global in its responses. It sees the whole picture and responds in accord. Aware mind is not prone to banal positionalities or judgments nor does it get entrapped in frenetic endeavors. It tends to be easy-going and mellow and prefers to observe rather than to become involved in worldly definitions of gain or loss. We speak of that type of relating to the world as ‘laid back’ or ‘philosophical’. While the thinking mind of the ego says “Isn’t that awful,” awareness knows that it is merely the ebb and flow of life and that, in the end, is all the same.
That sounds like a passive attitude.
To the ego, peace sounds inactive and passive because the ego thinks in terms of ‘doing’ something, such as seeking control, gain, or avoidance. The ego darts through traffic, pushes the speed limit, and watches for police cars. It fumes at delays and stupid drivers; it tailgates and curses under its breath at slow traffic. It blows its horn and passes on curves. it is driven by the hope of beating time and jumping the line. It shakes its fist at the driver who moves ahead in line and it vows terrible vengeance. While all this is going on, simultaneously, the ego is planning work strategies, talking on the cell phone, and listening to the radio.
In contrast, aware mind flows with the traffic and enjoys being courteous and letting some poor soul into the traffic line in front of it. “Give the guy a break” is okay to the easy-going perspective of awareness.
I:Reality and Subjectivity, Ch. 18, pgs. 316-317