--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is what makes us human, what…" description: "\"It is what makes us human, what distinguishes us from other animals. We can be aware of being aware.\" — Jon Kabat-Zinn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_animals_it-is-what-makes-us-human-what-distingui_953666.png" --- # It is what makes us human, what distinguishes us from… ![“It is what makes us human, what distinguishes us from other animals. We can be aware of being aware.” quote by Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_animals_it-is-what-makes-us-human-what-distingui_953666.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_animals_it-is-what-makes-us-human-what-distingui_953666.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cea/jon-kabat-zinn-1327_animals_it-is-what-makes-us-human-what-distingui_953666.png) > “It is what makes us human, what distinguishes us from other animals. We can be aware of being aware.” [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human consciousness includes meta‑awareness, the ability to notice our own awareness, distinguishing us from other species. **In simple terms:** We can think about our own thoughts. Key Takeaway Cultivate mindfulness to deepen self‑knowledge. Themes consciousness self‑awareness human nature Mood calm thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation practice - therapy - education - leadership development Key Concepts metacognition philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What does being aware of awareness feel like? - Can too much self‑reflection hinder action? A Different Perspective Meta‑awareness can lead to over‑analysis and paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Distinguishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinguishes/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) ## Related quotes > [Drinking when we are not thirsty and making love at any time, madam, is all that distinguishes us from the other animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-de-beaumarchais/drinking-when-we-are-not-thirsty-and-making-love-at-any-time-madam-is/) Pierre De Beaumarchais > [We’re built to deal with death, disease, failure, struggle, heartbreak, problems. It’s what separates us from the animals and why we envy and love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-maron/we-re-built-to-deal-with-death-disease-failure-struggle-heartbreak/) [Marc Maron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-maron/) > [I was aware of what animals go through because I had driven animals to slaughter and I'd killed animals. And I was aware that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-barnard/i-was-aware-of-what-animals-go-through-because-i-had-driven-animals/) [Neal Barnard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-barnard/) > [The beliefs I was raised with - to respect animals and to be aware of nature, to understand that we share this planet with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-mccartney/the-beliefs-i-was-raised-with-to-respect-animals-and-to-be-aware-of/) [Stella McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-mccartney/) > [That which distinguishes man from the brute is his power, in dealing with Nature, to milk her laws, and make them give forth their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/that-which-distinguishes-man-from-the-brute-is-his-power-in-dealing/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [“They have something of which they are proud. What do they call it, that which makes them proud? Culture, they call it; it distinguishes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/they-have-something-of-which-they-are-proud-what-do-they-call-it-that/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Given that we glimpse what distinguishes man from the beast, is there anything that distinguishes woman from man?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-l-george/given-that-we-glimpse-what-distinguishes-man-from-the-beast-is-there/) [W. L. George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-l-george/) > [I'm a bug on acting, which distinguishes Second City from a lot of other revues. It comes from the character, the behavior, and not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-sahlins/i-m-a-bug-on-acting-which-distinguishes-second-city-from-a-lot-of/) [Bernard Sahlins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-sahlins/) > [Ardor, n. The quality that distinguishes love without knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ardor-n-the-quality-that-distinguishes-love-without-knowledge/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [As a woman, I've learned that having a uniform of your staples or setting your look and saying what distinguishes you - like red…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/as-a-woman-i-ve-learned-that-having-a-uniform-of-your-staples-or/) [Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/) > [Given the brevity of our time here, it does seem likely that our species, too, must have at best a blinkered understanding of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-russell/given-the-brevity-of-our-time-here-it-does-seem-likely-that-our/) [Karen Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-russell/) > [Innovation distinguishes a leader from a follower.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-jobs/innovation-distinguishes-a-leader-from-a-follower/) [Steve Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-jobs/) > [Ambition characterizes and distinguishes national officeholders from other kinds of human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-cotton/ambition-characterizes-and-distinguishes-national-officeholders-from/) [Tom Cotton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-cotton/) > [Proud 2 Pay - that's something that distinguishes me, that's something that defines me, and we're going to keep that going.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nipsey-hussle/proud-2-pay-that-s-something-that-distinguishes-me-that-s-something/) [Nipsey Hussle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nipsey-hussle/) > [Let's say intelligence is your ability to compose poetry, symphonies, do art, math and science. Chimps can't do any of that, yet we share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/let-s-say-intelligence-is-your-ability-to-compose-poetry-symphonies/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) ## More by Jon Kabat-Zinn > [Karma is often wrongly confused with the notion of a fixed destiny. It is more like an accumulation of tendencies that can lock us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/karma-is-often-wrongly-confused-with-the-notion-of-a-fixed-destiny-it/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Living in a chronic state of unawareness can cause us to miss much of what is most beautiful and meaningful in our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/living-in-a-chronic-state-of-unawareness-can-cause-us-to-miss-much-of/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present moment, and then sustaining that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/mindfulness-means-moment-to-moment-non-judgmental-awareness-it-is/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Paying attention and awareness are universal capacities of human beings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/paying-attention-and-awareness-are-universal-capacities-of-human/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“One practical way to do this is to look at other people and ask yourself if you are really seeing them or just your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/one-practical-way-to-do-this-is-to-look-at-other-people-and-ask/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [I thought it was a stroke of genius that Hans Selye used the word stress, because it's true that if you don't know how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/i-thought-it-was-a-stroke-of-genius-that-hans-selye-used-the-word/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“dwell in stillness and to observe without reacting and without judging.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/dwell-in-stillness-and-to-observe-without-reacting-and-without-judging/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Generosity is another quality which, like patience, letting go, non-judging, and trust, provides a solid foundation for mindfulness practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/generosity-is-another-quality-which-like-patience-letting-go-non/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [The little things? The little moments? They aren't little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/the-little-things-the-little-moments-they-aren-t-little/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Arriving someplace more desirable at some future time is an illusion. This is it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/arriving-someplace-more-desirable-at-some-future-time-is-an-illusion/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“Give yourself permission to allow this moment to be exactly as it is, and allow yourself to be exactly as you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/give-yourself-permission-to-allow-this-moment-to-be-exactly-as-it-is/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Generosity is another quality which, like patience, letting go, non-judging, and trust, provides a solid foundation for mindfulness practice. You might experiment with using…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/generosity-is-another-quality-which-like-patience-letting-go-non-2/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Science gave me a cosmic religious feeling, and I would get the same feeling when I was dragged to the Met and the Museum…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/science-gave-me-a-cosmic-religious-feeling-and-i-would-get-the-same/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Look at other people and ask yourself if you are really seeing them or just your thoughts about them… Without knowing it, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/look-at-other-people-and-ask-yourself-if-you-are-really-seeing-them/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“In fact, even if distraction does alleviate your pain or help to cope with it some of the time, bringing mindfulness to it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/in-fact-even-if-distraction-does-alleviate-your-pain-or-help-to-cope/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) [Explore all 252 Jon Kabat-Zinn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) ## More Animals quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) > [Animals know nothing of themselves, and they also know nothing of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/animals-know-nothing-of-themselves-and-they-also-know-nothing-of-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Humans are animals too, but some do not like to work from expectations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/humans-are-animals-too-but-some-do-not-like-to-work-from-expectations/) Mak\_786 > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. It means to know that one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-becker/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-self-conscious-animal-the-idea-is-ludicrous/) [Ernest Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-becker/) > [We must love animals in such a powerful way that we should reject to eat them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/we-must-love-animals-in-such-a-powerful-way-that-we-should-reject-to/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I bet plants go like 'Weeeeeeeee!' whenever they're swallowed by a giraffe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-bet-plants-go-like-weeeeeeeee-whenever-they-re-swallowed-by-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [We animals are the most complicated things in the known universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/we-animals-are-the-most-complicated-things-in-the-known-universe/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“All these creatures spend their time explaining, realizing happily that they agree with each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-sartre/all-these-creatures-spend-their-time-explaining-realizing-happily/) [Jean-Paul Sartre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-sartre/) > [We're not very dangerous animals; we don't have a horn like a rhino or quills like a porcupine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-fisher/we-re-not-very-dangerous-animals-we-don-t-have-a-horn-like-a-rhino-or/) [Helen Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-fisher/) > [We need, in a special way, to work twice as hard to help people understand that animals are fellow creatures, that we must protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/we-need-in-a-special-way-to-work-twice-as-hard-to-help-people/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [“Plenty of animals had pets, but few were more devoted than the mouse, who owned a baby corn snake—“A rescue snake, she’d be quick…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/plenty-of-animals-had-pets-but-few-were-more-devoted-than-the-mouse/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [No creature can attain a higher grade of nature without ceasing to exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ananda-coomaraswamy/no-creature-can-attain-a-higher-grade-of-nature-without-ceasing-to/) [Ananda Coomaraswamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ananda-coomaraswamy/) > [Most people are sensitized to animals through their cats and dogs, but for me it was a flounder. I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) [Browse all 6,813 Animals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is what makes us human, what distinguishes us from other animals. 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