"Awakening" is just not being distracted by thoughts of future, past,
me, you, them, my stuff, your stuff, wants, needs, hopes, fears,
grudges, worries, anxiety, what I "can't wait" to do, what I'm
dreading, boredom, excitement, whether I'm happy, whether I'm
comfortable, whether there's an "I", blah, blah, blah.

No need to get rid of the thought, just the distraction.