“Consciousness isn’t something you find—it’s what you’re made of. The more you become aware of that, the less you react to life and the more you begin to live it.”
– Charley Johnson
In an era where society seems more distracted and divided than ever, the concept of consciousness has taken center stage—not as a fleeting trend, but as a necessary conversation for those seeking clarity, connection, and personal truth. At the forefront of this conversation is Charley Johnson, one of the world’s first Chief Consciousness Officers. With a background in leadership and personal transformation, Charley brings a grounded, refreshingly non-dogmatic approach to understanding the unseen forces that shape our lives. Rather than offering quick fixes or spiritual buzzwords, he dives into the real questions: What is consciousness? Why does it matter? And how can greater awareness reshape not just our inner world, but the culture we collectively create?
In this thought-provoking interview with Lisa Urbanski, Charley unpacks the nuances of consciousness, emotional intelligence, awakening, and what it means to live from a place of neutrality in a polarized world. His insights challenge conventional thinking, offering a deeper lens into why self-awareness isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a CEO, a seeker, or simply someone trying to navigate the chaos of modern life, Charley’s words are a reminder that the answers we’re searching for aren’t outside of us—they’re within, waiting to be remembered.
Thank you so much for joining us, Charley! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Thanks for having me—it’s always a pleasure to be part of these meaningful conversations. My journey into this work wasn’t some big explosion of awakening like you read about in spiritual books. It was subtle—almost imperceptible at times. I didn’t wake up one day and go, “I’m enlightened.” It was more like realizing, gradually, that the world I thought I understood was just a small sliver of a much bigger picture. I started to notice my thoughts, my triggers, my conditioned reactions—and that’s where the journey started. It was less about acquiring knowledge and more about letting go of how I thought things were supposed to be.
Can you explain consciousness in simple terms and why it matters in everyday life?
Here’s the thing—anyone who claims to have consciousness all figured out probably doesn’t. It’s not something we can fully define; it’s more like something we swim in without realizing it. Consciousness is the source—it’s the ocean, and we’re the fish asking, “What’s water?” It’s not just about thoughts or awareness; it’s about the space behind all of that. Every thought, every emotion, every physical sensation—all of it arises from consciousness. And we miss the point when we reduce it to mental performance or productivity hacks. Consciousness is the foundation. It’s everything. It’s the one thing we can’t be separated from because it is us.
You mention that many people confuse “consciousness” with being “conscious.” Can you break that down?
Totally. People mix up “being conscious” and “consciousness,” but they’re not the same. Being conscious is a state of wakefulness—you and I are conscious right now because we’re alert, present, aware. But consciousness is deeper. It’s the container. It’s like comparing a ripple to the ocean. Consciousness is the backdrop for all of reality, including being conscious. So when people say, “I’m trying to be more conscious,” I get it, but we’re always in consciousness—there’s no outside of it.
What do you mean when you refer to “source”?
That word can trip people up. When I say “source,” I don’t mean some spiritual figure on top of a mountain beaming light down at us. I mean the origin of things. The source of your anger, the source of a river, the source of a chair. What I’m pointing to is: there is something that everything comes from—physical, emotional, mental, even the chair you’re sitting in. And from my experience, that “something” is consciousness. Not in a religious sense, but as the ground from which all arises. It’s the river, not the waterfall.
Do we have the ability to change our “radio station” and tune into different levels of consciousness? Or are we just influenced by what’s around us?
Yes. And also, yes. That’s the thing—we always want to make it either/or. Is it internal or external? Do I shift, or am I affected? The answer is both. We can change our awareness. We can step outside, be around new energy, meditate, be more kind. Every little act changes our frequency, shifts our “station.” At the same time, we’re constantly influenced by the energies around us. So you’re never just reacting to life—you’re co-creating it, moment to moment.
What does mindfulness mean to you?
To me, mindfulness is being aware of the mechanism behind our thoughts and behaviors. It’s noticing your internal dialogue and realizing it’s not the ultimate truth. Mindfulness is knowing that your beliefs, your anger, even your love—none of that exists in a vacuum. It came from somewhere—your conditioning, your upbringing, your traumas. Mindfulness is that moment when you pause, reflect, and say, “Wait… where did that come from?”
Can you differentiate consciousness from emotional awareness?
Sure. Emotions, like thoughts, are expressions of consciousness. They rise up from that same source. Emotional awareness is about recognizing those expressions without becoming them. Why does your partner chewing loudly drive you crazy, but not someone else? Emotional intelligence asks: What happened in my story that wired me this way? And consciousness is the space that holds all of that. It’s the canvas; emotions are just brushstrokes.
How can expanding consciousness influence personal growth and relationships?
When your consciousness expands, your vision expands. It’s like pulling your face away from a fence with one peephole—you suddenly see the whole field. You realize the story you’re stuck in is one of many. In relationships, it softens your edges. You react less, listen more. You begin to witness your behavior rather than being owned by it. And that awareness is where transformation begins.
What if someone doesn’t know how to expand their consciousness? What’s the first step?
Awareness. That’s it. If you’re aware of your triggers, congratulations—you’ve already started. Expansion doesn’t mean becoming a different person; it means becoming more you by shedding the stuff that isn’t you. Whether it’s through meditation, therapy, or just watching your thoughts, it’s about noticing. And when you notice enough, you begin to choose differently. That’s the shift.
You referenced Ram Dass saying his neuroses never went away after 20 years of deep practice. What does that tell us?
It tells us we need to stop chasing perfection. Even spiritual masters carry their stuff—it’s just that they stop identifying with it. Awareness doesn’t erase your quirks; it helps you hold them more lightly. You may still feel triggered, but you don’t snap. You may still get angry, but you see it with compassion. That, to me, is real growth.
What is collective consciousness, and how does it affect society?
If everything is one—and it is—then all 8 billion of us are contributing to the “field” we live in. That’s the collective consciousness. When enough people are in fear, it creates a heavy energy. When enough people are in love, it lifts. It’s like a climate—emotional weather. And whether we realize it or not, we’re breathing it in every day. But even within that storm, you can choose to be the calm.
What’s the difference between awakening and enlightenment?
Awakening is like moving from third grade to fourth—it’s a process, and it’s ongoing. Enlightenment, as people often imagine it, is some permanent blissed-out state. But even that is a trap. Many spiritual teachers say enlightenment is the beginning of the real work. It’s not what you think—and that’s kind of the point. If you’re seeking it, great. Just drop your expectations and embrace the mystery.
You often talk about “unlearning” rather than learning. Why is that?
Because most of what we “know” is just conditioning. We’re not adding truth—we’re peeling back illusion. Unlearning means dissolving the lens through which you judge the world. It means letting go of the binary—the right vs. wrong, good vs. bad—and stepping into a space where you can just see.
Do you believe neutrality is a powerful stance in today’s world?
It’s the most powerful, and also the most misunderstood. Neutrality doesn’t mean you don’t care. It means you’re not controlled by your biases. It’s standing in the middle—not as an escape, but as a vantage point. From there, you can see both sides clearly. And from that place, real solutions emerge.
When did you become aware of your own awareness on a deeper level?
It wasn’t dramatic. It wasn’t Eckhart Tolle on a park bench having an explosion of insight. It was just… gradual. Like aging. One day I realized I was observing things differently—more neutrally. The shift wasn’t mystical—it was subtle. But it changed everything.
What’s the biggest myth about awakening that you’d like to bust?
That it will solve your problems. It won’t. It’ll give you new eyes to see them differently. Awakening won’t make your partner chew more quietly. It’ll help you not lose your mind about it. That’s the real power—how you respond to life, not what life throws at you.
What would you say to someone who feels disappointed by their spiritual journey?
Your expectations are what’s letting you down—not the path. We get sold this idea that awakening equals eternal peace. That’s marketing. Real growth is messy, inconvenient, and deeply human. But it’s worth it. Every step.
Any final words you’d like to leave us with?
Look into consciousness. Seriously. Google it, read about it, feel into it. Just get curious. Your mind is the middleman. It’s the filter, the tool—but it’s not the whole story. Consciousness is the source. And once you start tapping into that, your life begins to feel different—wider, softer, more real.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
LinkedIn is where I’m most active, linkedin.com/in/cjconsciousness. I post about consciousness, leadership, and what it means to live and work in alignment with a deeper awareness. You’ll find interviews, reflections, and breakdowns of what a Chief Consciousness Officer actually does.
Charley, this has been such a powerful and enlightening conversation. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom, your perspective, and for helping us all better understand the depth and importance of consciousness.
Thank you, Lisa. I really appreciate the space you’ve created here—it’s not often we get to have these kinds of conversations in such an open and grounded way. I’m grateful to be a part of it.
