What Is an Awakened Citizen?
Awakening begins with the individual.
An Awakened Citizen is an individual who seeks to understand the nature of his or her own existence, recognizes the profound influence of emotion upon human behavior, and accepts responsibility for the choices and actions through which individual potential is expressed.
The Awakened Citizen recognizes that self-understanding is not a destination, but an ongoing process of discovery, development, and the pursuit of harmony within oneself and with others.
Central to this undertaking is the recognition that our emotions profoundly influence how we perceive the world, how we relate to others, and how we exercise our right of free choice.
Through greater understanding of our emotional nature, we may develop a greater capacity for conscious choice, personal responsibility, and the fulfillment of our individual potential.
The Eight Characteristics of an Awakened Citizen
1. Self-Acceptance and the Total Personality Structure
The Awakened Citizen recognizes and accepts the totality of his or her Personality Structure, encompassing the Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Spiritual components.
Each component contributes to the structural integrity of the individual. The development of harmony among these components is fundamental to the pursuit of self-fulfillment.
2. Understanding the Emotional Component
The Awakened Citizen recognizes the central role of emotion in motivating and directing human behavior. Through the understanding of one’s emotional nature, the individual seeks to recognize the internal forces influencing thought, judgment, choice, and action.
The pursuit of harmony within the Emotional component contributes to the development and well-being of the entire Personality Structure.
3. Free Choice and Personal Responsibility
The Awakened Citizen recognizes the right of free choice and understands that freedom carries responsibility.
The right to choose does not confer an unrestricted right to act without regard for the rights and well-being of others.
Through greater awareness of the emotional forces influencing personal decisions, the individual seeks to exercise choice consciously and accepts responsibility for his or her actions and their consequences.
4. Individual Uniqueness and Destiny
The Awakened Citizen recognizes that every individual possesses a unique Personality Structure and exists within a unique set of circumstances.
Family, culture, society, personal development, environment, and the conditions of human existence all contribute to the circumstances within which the individual develops.
Within these circumstances, each person possesses an individual potential and a unique destiny to fulfill.
5. Human Equality and the Conditions of Existence
The Awakened Citizen recognizes that human beings differ in their individual characteristics, capacities, circumstances, and opportunities.
Nevertheless, all individuals are subject to the fundamental conditions of human existence, including the inherent uncertainties of life and the circumstances that influence each individual’s journey.
The recognition of individual differences does not diminish the inherent dignity of any person.
The Awakened Citizen seeks to understand the relationship between human rights, personal responsibility, and the benefits and obligations arising from life within society.
6. Independence and Interdependence
The Awakened Citizen recognizes the potential for self-fulfillment inherent within the individual while accepting that every person has limitations.
Independence requires the development and exercise of one’s own capacities. Interdependence requires recognition of the relationships through which individuals cooperate, contribute, and receive assistance from others.
The pursuit of personal fulfillment need not conflict with the well-being of others.
7. Mutual Benefit and Recompense
The Awakened Citizen recognizes that the pursuit of genuine benefits entails responsibility, effort, and consideration for others.
The individual seeks to establish relationships in which benefits are mutual, recognizing that personal fulfillment and the welfare of others can be complementary.
The Awakened Citizen understands that meaningful achievement requires effort and that the consequences of one’s choices form an essential part of the process of learning and development.
8. The Spiritual Facet and Human Dignity
The Awakened Citizen recognizes the inherent dignity of every individual and remains open to exploring the deeper dimensions of human existence.
Within the philosophical framework of Citizen Awaken, the Spiritual component represents an essential facet of the total Personality Structure. Every individual is understood to possess a facet of the Divine—a soul—and a unique potential to discover and fulfill.
The exploration of this spiritual dimension does not require adherence to any particular religion or doctrine.
Individuals who do not share this spiritual understanding are equally welcome to explore and benefit from the practical teachings of UYE—CYL.