Quick Answer
Consciousness is the state of being aware of and responsive to one's surroundings, but spiritually, it goes much deeper. It is the divine spark, the observer behind the thoughts, and the fabric of the universe itself. To understand the meaning of consciousness is to understand the nature of reality: that we are not separate entities, but individual expressions of a unified whole.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Insight 1: You are not your thoughts; you are the awareness observing them.
- Insight 2: Consciousness evolves; we are all at different stages of waking up.
- Insight 3: The physical world is a reflection of consciousness, not the other way around.
- Insight 4: Expanding consciousness requires transcending the ego.
- Insight 5: Love is the highest frequency of consciousness.
Defining the Indefinable
Ask a neuroscientist what consciousness is, and they might point to the firing of neurons in the brain. Ask a mystic, and they will point to the silence between thoughts. The meaning of consciousness is perhaps the greatest mystery of human existence.
In spiritual terms, consciousness is the canvas upon which the movie of your life plays. It is the "witness." When you are angry, a part of you knows you are angry. That part—the Knower—is consciousness. It is immutable, eternal, and unaffected by the drama of the ego.
The Levels of Consciousness
Human evolution is essentially the evolution of consciousness. Dr. David Hawkins, in his book Power vs. Force, mapped consciousness on a logarithmic scale from 0 to 1000.
| Level | Emotion | Life View |
|---|---|---|
| Shame (20) | Humiliation | Miserable |
| Fear (100) | Anxiety | Frightening |
| Courage (200) | Empowerment | Feasible |
| Love (500) | Reverence | Benign |
| Enlightenment (700+) | Ineffable | Is |
Science vs. Spirituality
Materialist science posits that the brain creates consciousness, much like a generator creates electricity. If the generator breaks (death), the electricity stops.
Spirituality, and increasingly Quantum Physics, suggests the opposite: Consciousness is like a radio signal, and the brain is merely the receiver. If the radio breaks, the signal (consciousness) continues to exist. This view aligns with the concept of the eternal soul and reincarnation.
Tools for Expansion
Why would we want to expand our consciousness? To move from fear to love, from separation to connection, and from suffering to peace. This is the "Great Work" of alchemy.
Catalysts for Growth
- Meditation: Quieting the noise to hear the signal.
- Shadow Work: Integrating the rejected parts of the self.
- Sacred Plant Medicines: (Used responsibly) can temporarily dissolve ego barriers.
- Service: Acting for the benefit of others shifts focus from "me" to "we."
Unity Consciousness
The pinnacle of the spiritual journey is Unity Consciousness (or Non-Duality). This is the realization that the separation between "you" and "me" is an illusion. We are all waves in the same ocean.
The Mirror Effect
In unity consciousness, you realize that everything you see in the world is a reflection of your own inner state. As Rumi said, "You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop."
Try This: The "Just Like Me" Practice
When you see a stranger (or an enemy), silently say: "Just like me, this person wishes to be happy. Just like me, this person wishes to be free from suffering." Feel the barrier of separation dissolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is consciousness evolution automatic?
Life experiences (especially suffering) naturally push us to evolve, but intentional practice accelerates the process immensely.
Does higher consciousness mean I won't have problems?
No. You will still face challenges, but your relationship to them changes. You stop seeing them as punishments and start seeing them as lessons.
What is the "Collective Consciousness"?
This is the shared pool of knowledge and experience of all humanity (and perhaps all life). Jung called it the Collective Unconscious. We tap into it through dreams, intuition, and archetypes.
Sources & References
- Hawkins, David R. Power vs. Force. Hay House, 1995.
- Tolle, Eckhart. The Power of Now. New World Library, 1999.
- Singer, Michael. The Untethered Soul. New Harbinger, 2007.
- Wilber, Ken. A Brief History of Everything. Shambhala, 1996.
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Your Journey Continues
You are an explorer of the infinite. By asking "What is consciousness?", you have already begun the journey back to your true self. Keep asking, keep looking, and remember: the awareness that is looking is the very thing you are looking for.