What Is Being Awake?

Waking up is awareness; that which is always present before thoughts in our mind. It is a fully aware and non-reactive state.

Living in thoughts and emotions is our dream state, 
where demons can enter.
Every time we react we are back in that dream state.
It’s a very subtle on/off switch.

The awakened state is always naturally present, but is obscured by thoughts. This state of wakefulness is pure consciousness or, as someone said, intuitive knowingness. This is the magic reality of all sentient beings, having the power to influence events by not being taken in by beliefs, and other entertainments. 

Even sophisticated philosophical and scientific ideas and religious beliefs can keep us in a very clever dream state. Noticing distraction is the on/off switch. This is why, when we are awake, even if evil attempts to distract us, it reminds us to stay awake and alert. 

In wakefulness, there are no thoughts, no words, no me.
True communication is to ponder first,
feeling one’s way, rather than becoming a reporter of ‘news’.

The dream is the illusion we live in.