Becoming Conscious of Consciousness
How does science define consciousness?
‘Consciousness’ remains one of the most unresolved subjects for human contemplation. Mainstream science doesn’t have a unified theory of what it is. And yet, without consciousness, there would be no science.
According to the Oxford Dictionary of Psychology, consciousness is defined as “the normal mental condition of the waking state of humans, characterized by the experience of perceptions, thoughts, feelings, awareness of the external world, and often in humans (but not necessarily in other animals) self-consciousness.” This basic definition intentionally leaves a lot of questions unanswered.
Mainstream science simply does not know where consciousness comes from or of what ‘stuff’ it is made. And it has turned out to be nearly impossible to explain exactly how it arises from the brain’s hardware.
Science has dubbed this the “hard” problem of consciousness. But so far, science hasn’t even cracked the “easy” problem of explaining which parts of the brain give rise to conscious experiences in humans.
One big problem with this knowledge gap is that science can’t or won’t officially recognize that other organisms and even inanimate objects have consciousness.
Humans relate to some animals, such as dogs and cats, and imagine that they may have limited consciousness because of their facial expressions. But just because we don’t relate to rocks, trees, rivers, or the stars in the night sky, doesn’t mean those things don’t have consciousness as well.
Quantum Consciousness
Some scientists have theorized that the thing we think of as consciousness is made of micro-scale quantum physics events somehow flickering inside our brains and generating conscious thoughts.
Science notes that our brains are composed of cells called neurons and that the combined activity of neurons creates consciousness. “God is in the neurons,” so to speak.
Mainstream science teaches us that each neuron contains microtubules, which transport substances to different parts of the cell. The theory of ‘quantum consciousness’ argues that microtubules are structured in a ‘fractal’ pattern to enable quantum processes to occur.
Fractals are structures that are neither two-dimensional nor three-dimensional. They are instead some fractional value in between. In mathematics, fractals emerge as stunning patterns that repeat themselves infinitely. This generates a structure with a finite area but an infinite perimeter.
This might seem impossible to visualize, but fractals frequently occur in nature. If you look closely at the florets of a cauliflower or the branches of a fern, you’ll see that they’re both made up of the same basic shape repeating itself — but at smaller and smaller scales.
Fractals also occur inside your body. For example, the structure of your lungs is fractal — as are the blood vessels in your circulatory system.
Advocates of the “quantum consciousness” theory argue that it is easy to see why fractals could explain the complexity of human consciousness — because they’re infinitely intricate, allowing complexity to emerge from simple repeated patterns.
And this could only be happening in the brain’s neuronal system under the rules of quantum mechanics — which is a theory that determines how tiny particles like electrons move around.
Science admits that it is not yet able to measure the behavior of quantum fractals in the brain — if they exist at all. But advanced technology means science can now measure quantum fractals in the lab.
Mainstream science boldly contends that such research could one day lead to the unification of physics, mathematics, and biology, which could greatly enrich our understanding of this 3D reality that we exist within.
Determinism or Free Will?
Other scientists have theorized human consciousness to be nothing more than “algorithmic.” From Wikipedia, we learn that an algorithm is a finite sequence of well-defined instructions typically used to solve specific problems or perform computations.
In philosophy, an algorithm would be an example of ‘determinism,’ which butts head with ‘free will.’
Are our brains simply cranking out predetermined math-like processes that can be predicted in advance? Or is something happening that allows us true free will? Meaning the ability to make different decisions and choices that affect our lives.
These questions are essential to understanding ‘consciousness’ because the answers could change how we understand the entire Universe around us.
Whether humans do or don’t have free will has enormous moral implications. For example, how do you punish criminals who could never have acted differently?
The Universe — for what purpose?
“Why does the Universe go to all the bother of existing?” asked physicist Stephen Hawking, realizing no mathematical model could ever supply the answer.
As Eckhart Tolle points out in his book A New Earth, if you look within rather than only without, you discover that you have an inner and an outer purpose. And since you are a microcosmic reflection of the macrocosm, it follows that the Universe, too, has an inner and outer purpose inseparable from yours.
Tolle suggests you consider that the outer purpose of universal consciousness is to create form and experience itself through the interplay of those forms. Its inner purpose is to awaken to its formless essence and potential. Then comes the reconciliation of outer and inner purpose — to bring that essence (consciousness) into the many realities of form.
Such intention and purpose go far beyond anything the human brain can grasp or comprehend or try to explain with mere words. So, we need to bear in ‘mind’ here that nothing we say about the nature of the Universe can or should be taken as absolute truth. Neither scientific concepts nor mathematical formulas can explain the infinite.
‘I’ — the conscious being having the experience
Consider further that ‘I’ — meaning your mind — is the user of your brain. And if you are telling your brain what to do, it isn’t a huge leap to say that the mind comes first and the brain second. So, let me introduce a different concept of Consciousness and recognize it for what it is in reality-making.
Everything you will think and do today is the fruit of your mind-consciousness. The building blocks of the ‘self’ are made of “mind stuff.” So, it’s not accurate to say that you have consciousness the way you have a kidney or a nose. You are consciousness.
It’s interesting to note that science has yet to find the location in the brain for ‘I,’ the entity that is designing and having an experience. Neurons don’t light up in your brain to identify your sense of self. You simply know that you exist — “I think; therefore I am.”
‘I’ is the operator of the whole brain. ‘I’ am producing, directing, and starring in a movie called “My life in this 3D reality.” To say that the brain creates mind-consciousness is like saying that the movie creates its producer and director.
Then there is the initiation of action. How does the brain come up with new, unexpected decisions? The most powerful computer in the world doesn’t say, “I want a day off” or “Let’s talk about something else.” It has no choice but to follow its programming.
So how can a computer made of neurons change its mind, have a spontaneous impulse, refuse to behave reasonably, and do all the other tricky things we do as humans at a moment’s notice?
If every reaction in the brain is predetermined by the laws of chemistry and physics — as brain scientists insist — then the food you will order a week from now or ten years from now is already predetermined and must be beyond the control of ‘I.’ Free will goes right out the window.
Creating Tulips
How does your flower garden come into existence? Consider this possibility: As an idea originates in universal consciousness, a signal (thought) is sent into this 3D physical reality. Receiving this transmission requires hardware (the brain) and a user-operator (the local mind — the ‘I’).
Based on the constant desire to experience, your mind activates the incredible machinery of your brain and body and creates an expanded aspect of reality.
You do that in visible ways, like deciding to plant a flower garden. After your mind chooses to do so, it calls on your brain and body to complete the project. You buy fertilizer, tools, and seeds. You plant, water, and tend your garden. And a few months later, you have flowers.
Your garden began as an idea in universal consciousness, was transmitted as an idea-thought into your mind — which ‘I’ then dwelled and acted upon — and ended up with a beautiful garden of tulips. An idea-thought-action eventually produced a material thing (matter) in our 3D reality.
The unfolding of a higher purpose
Universal consciousness has been preparing and manifesting forms for an eternity in order to experience and express itself in infinite realities. The infinite unmanifested realm of pure universal consciousness is not separate from the 3D reality of form where we humans exist.
The unmanifested flows into this 3D reality as idea-thoughts, awareness, inner space, and presence. How does it do that? Partly through the human form that is ‘conscious’ and working to fulfill its destiny. The human form was created for this higher purpose.
Expansion of consciousness
To be human is to be conscious. The only issue is how conscious. If you strip away all dogmas of religion and science, the state of higher consciousness that sages like Buddha exemplify is part of everyone’s potential in this 3D earth realm.
Becoming more aware of how the world works on an energetic and spiritual level raises your consciousness. And that allows you to tap into a higher level of functioning. And when that happens, a shift in perception takes place. And you suddenly see the world through an enlightened new lens. The key is the expansion of your consciousness.
An old Indian adage compares higher consciousness to a lamp at the door, shining into the house and out into the world simultaneously. It makes you aware of things “out there” and “in here.”
Being aware creates a relationship between the two. To achieve a life filled with meaning, you must figure out how to be more conscious. Only then do you become the true author of your destiny.
Higher consciousness isn’t necessarily a spiritual state — it is an expanded state. Only by expanding your consciousness can you be a lamp at the door, seeing the world without fear — and knowing yourself without insecurity.
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