Dr. Howell’s Reflections
Everyday, Dr. Howell writes a reflection, inquiry prompt, and a prayer.
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Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 7
July 19, 2025
Consciousness is remaining steadfast, even when everybody around you is losing their heads. In its first few lines, Rudyard Kipling’s classic poem “IF” speaks to this situation.
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 6
July 18, 2025
What do we do when our conscious self comes face to face with unconsciousness in the outer world? This happens all the time. We are in a discussion, and another person laces their conversation with subtle racist remarks, or they tend to “other” particular groups. Maybe blame is cast on someone without knowing the facts.
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 5
July 17, 2025
You have heard the expression “All good things come to those who wait” (Violet Fane, 1892). You have likely listened to another, which comes from Murphy’s Law — “Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong” (Edward Murphy, c.1948). These two expressions represent two ends of a continuum. One end is the subjective view that everything good comes if we are patient, while the other is that things will inevitably go wrong if they can.
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 4
July 16, 2025
Consciousness opens us to the vast territory of our inner landscape. We realize we are much more than our bodies, thoughts, appearance, and feelings.
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 3
July 15, 2025
As we become conscious, we become aware of what we do, and then we become aware of why we are doing those things. If we remain unconscious, we simply go through the motions, and even if we enjoy or suffer through what we are doing, we do not know the primary reasons why. We may only know secondary reasons why we do something.
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 2
July 14, 2025
The most fundamental cause of unconscious thinking and behavior is egocentrism. The unchecked ego has the perspective of “my interests first,” the interests of my family, my tribe, and my story of how life should be for me and everyone else. When we are unconscious, we do not fully grasp the necessary interdependence of all human beings. In unconsciousness, instead of realizing that all of us are connected to each other and are therefore dependent on one another, the focus is on “my welfare” without acknowledging the ripple effect we have on each other. We express this type of unconsciousness by going along with whatever will give ME the most pleasure and least discomfort, with less regard for how these fit in the context of everyone’s well-being. In this case, the unhealthy ego rules thought and behavior.
Consciousness in the Face of Unconsciousness Part 1
July 13, 2025
What is our response to the unconsciousness of others? What about when we ourselves lapse into unconsciousness? Dare we call it out, challenge it, or do something proactive, or is it better to ignore it?