What Is Consciousness?
Consciousness Is Not a Byproduct of Matter
For a long time, the conventional materialist view considered the mind and the consciousness as physical activity of the brain. However, visionary scientific work in a variety of fields — such as neuroscience, medicine, physics, cosmology, biology, psychology, and psychiatry — demonstrates that matter represents only one aspect of reality. We are much more than matter. Mind and consciousness are not simple byproducts of brain activity. We are all connected with the universe as one.
Evidence that supports this non-materialist view comes from multiple lines, including near-death experiences. While an individual going through a near-death experience should not have perceptions, memories, emotions, or self-identity, many international studies have reported cases of clinically dead people who have not only had mental activity but have had enhanced mental activity compared to a of normal state of consciousness. Other lines of evidence come from research on psi phenomena (extrasensory perception, precognition, and psychokinesis), and research done on reincarnation.
Connecting to a Unifying Consciousness Through Synchronicities
According to Dr. Gary Schwartz, a research psychologist at the University of Arizona, science and spirit meet in the phenomenon of synchronicity. Synchronicity connects us with the greater spiritual reality. Particularly relevant is the super-synchronicity — an overlap of six or more events occurring in complex ways and connecting people. The occurrence of such events cannot be explained by the laws of probability alone; these are termed “astronomically improbable events.” These super-synchronicities and non-random patterns in our lives indicate that we are connected to a living, unifying, super-intelligent, supercharging consciousness. Dalai Lama, too, urges us to be open to the guidance of these synchronicities.
We Are Innately Aware of the Existence of a Shared Global Consciousness
Dr. Lisa Miller, research psychologist at Columbia University, explains that every child is born aware of the sacred, loving consciousness in us, through us, and around us. As we grow older and undergo the process of education, we lose this awareness through the various forms of social conditioning. We need to open up to our shared consciousness, to our shared spiritual awareness. We do this by being spiritually responsible — by honoring, each moment, every person, being, or situation that comes across our path as a sacred messenger. That sacred moment is the fabric of the universe.
The Four Axioms of Mind & Consciousness
According to Dr. Mario Beauregard, a neuroscientist from the University of Arizona, there are four key aspects of the mind and the consciousness.
Firstly, the mind is a fundamental element of the universe; it is as primordial as matter, energy, and space-time, and cannot be reduced to matter.
Secondly, the mind — as well, as intention, and thoughts — acts as a force; it can physically transform the world. Thus by changing our thoughts, emotions, and belief system, we not only change the activity of the brain regions involved in these processes but also the structure of the brain. This action of the mind is not confined to the limits of the body; it can exert a non-local impact, beyond the limit of the body. It is not limited to a specific point in space (the brain or the body), nor is it restricted to a specific point in time, such as the present.
Thirdly, the mind/consciousness and the physical world appear to be separated in our experience; but in reality, they are not separated. They are deeply interconnected, which allows for interaction between mind and matter. They both arise out of a common source, a common principle, which is at the origin of both the mental world and the physical world — Consciousness, with a capital “C,” compared to our consciousness at the human level.
And finally, it is not the brain that produces mind and consciousness; it is the mind and consciousness that use the brain to express themselves and manifest themselves.
Consciousness As a Ground State — Everything Is Made Out Of Consciousness
Dr. Dean Radin, a psi researcher at the Institute of Noetic Sciences, explains what consciousness means to most people. Everyone feels that they are aware of themselves, and so consciousness is certainly self-awareness. People also infer that other people are also likely to have some kind of awareness. This idea of separate people having self-awareness is one way of thinking about consciousness. This is a surface level of awareness. However, there is also a deeper understanding of consciousness which is characteristic of people who meditate: when meditators begin to explore deeper in their awareness, it begins to diffuse, until the separation begins to disappear. Therefore, consciousness has many levels of hierarchy. Ultimately, Consciousness is what everything is made out of. Modern science moves toward the understanding of Consciousness as some kind of substrate, a ground state, from which things arise. Our bodies and minds are aspects of those things that are arising.
The Two Aspects of Consciousness — Local and Global
According to Dr. Menas Kafatos, a physicist at Chapman University, Consciousness is the underlying reality. It is not made of anything; it is rather true that everything is made of Consciousness. Consciousness is the reality out of which the Universe and the physical reality are made. Consciousness has always been there, it is being there, and it will be there forever. The word “consciousness” is etymologically linked to the Latin word Scientia, which means “knowledge.” Thus consciousness means “to know of something.” It is the knowledge or awareness of one’s self — pure awareness. By consciousness with the low case “c” we mean the consciousness associated with the human mind, while by Consciousness with capital “C” we mean universal consciousness, universal awareness, or cosmic consciousness, which is the collective consciousness. These are the local and global aspects of consciousness.
The Secret Formula For Achieving Whatever The Heart Desires
Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell, a neuropsychiatrist, believes that all of us have abilities that can be awakened, only if we take the time to look around and explore. This is the ability to imagine what is possible, to believe it can be possible, and the will to bring that forth. If you have that combination, you can achieve whatever your heart desires, with the right intention.
The Observer Effect — Understanding Consciousness Through Quantum Physics
The quantum universe is radically different from the old model — the Cartesian universe. In the quantum universe, the observer plays a very important role — the observer is a part of the system, and one cannot conceive of the system without the observer. The observer is not a passive participant in the universe — the universe and the observer form one system and, in simple terms, this is called the Observer Effect. Quantum entities don’t even have properties until observation takes place. The context of the observation is very important, and it is tied to the observational choices that the observer makes. This means that Consciousness is primary. Otherwise, the Observer Effect would not make sense.
A “Small Mind” is a Cause of Fear, Stress, and Problems
According to Michel Pascal, a meditation teacher, we are too much stressed and we always have restless thoughts because our mind is too small. Our fears, doubt, and problems come from us seeing our life through a limited perception. But we can expand our reality, and our perception of life, and realize our oneness with a greater Consciousness. With this true perception of reality, we suddenly feel better. We have fewer fears and doubts. We become calmer. This is a wonderful way to be happier and become more intelligent.
Sources
“Expanding Reality: The New Science of Consciousness” (2017). A Documentary directed by Michel Pascal.