We can start with Merriam-Webster as quoted by
Wikipedia:
Consciousness is the state or quality of awareness, or, of
being aware of an external object or something within oneself.
The big question is:
Who or what is aware?
There seems to be 2 schools of thought.
1-The brain through physical, chemical, and electrical
connectivity creates awareness.
2-Awareness exists. The
brain filters this awareness into something usable for survival.
Hmmm… Are these
incompatible theories?
To be up front about this, I am squarely in the camp of
theory number 2…
That would be obvious if you had been reading the past
several years of my blog…
Today’s blog is spurred by an article in Explore by Larry
Dossey, reviewing a new book titled, Beyond Physicalism:
Toward Reconciliation of Science and
Spirituality.
(Explore July/August 2015, Vol 11 no 4, p 261-272)
As usual, Larry brings up some great points and
references. But, I would like to add a
little more clarification.
As usual, I will make broad sweeping statements. These you can believe, or not…
And, as always, I encourage you to do your own exploring
into what is true!
My wife, a good friend, and I did a shamanic journey
workshop together.
The leader, Timothy Cope, said up front: “Everything is real.”
Wow!
I liked
that.
That fits into my philosophy.
There is physical reality.
There is non-physical reality.
More importantly, physical reality is a tiny slice within
non-physical reality.
Physical reality is stardust.
Non-physical reality is everything else, and stardust.
As I have written before:
Source is Everything-That-Is and Everything-That is-Not.
Perhaps, “Everything-That-Is” is stardust?
Perhaps, “Everything-That is-Not” is potential… and more…
I define Consciousness as Source. That is with a big “C.”
The little “c” consciousness is the receiver of
Consciousness.
This brain-body consciousness is more like a TV set, or
maybe a computer with access to the internet.
Yeah, a little more complex than that…
As I’ve argued before, we are bags of seawater carrying
Source around.
We are the sensory organs of Source.
Ultimately, Source / Awareness / Consciousness, is what
looks outside and inside.
So why do we have such a controversy as to what is
consciousness?
We confuse consciousness with Consciousness!
Why can’t science help us find out which one is true?
Because, science is agreed upon truth.
Science exists within Source. Let’s illustrate.
This figure shows the concept of a holon, everything is a
whole thing in itself, and part of something larger and more complex.
The next figure shows that physical reality, matter and
life, is contained within a larger nonphysical reality, perhaps including parts
of psychology and Spirituality (whatever that is).
Finally, the third figure illustrates that there are leaky
borders around physical reality letting in non-physical reality.
The brain-body processes information from Source,
Everything-That-Is and Everything-That is-Not
Often this brain-body gets caught in loops.
Unhelpful grooves may be created, resulting in ruminations
about the past, or worries about the uncertain future.
That is the role of meditation. To quiet the loops. Quiet the monkey mind.
Entheogens, aka hallucinogens, disrupt many of these “normal
functions” of the brain-body, allowing in more of the information from
Source.
Opens up the filtering mechanism.
Meditation also disrupts these “normal functions” of the
brain-body, as well.
I would argue, perhaps, in a more controlled fashion. And, training is needed to allow the
brain-body to quiet.
So let us change theory number 1:
1-The brain-body through physical, chemical, and electrical
connectivity creates a receiver for processing Awareness.
I will leave number 2 as is, except for capitalization:
2-Awareness exists.
The brain filters this Awareness into something usable for
survival.
There is still much science to be done to delineate how the
brain-body does all the wonderful things it does!
I love science.
But, we also must see clearly where science belongs.
Science cannot explain Source / Awareness / Consciousness,
because it exists within, and below, this hierarchy.
Finally, never forget how important you are to Source!
Source needs you…
This unique embodiment, this unique receiver, this unique
formation of stardust…
No one is like you.
Therefore, fully embrace who you are.
Contribute to this creation, in whatever way is unique to
you!
Celebrate yourself as Source / Awareness /
Consciousness…
Remember the 3 Commandments:
1-There is only one
Source.
2-Love everything.
3-Enjoy yourself.
and don’t forget the possible mistakes:
Then dance and surf this reality…
Perhaps contribute to raising this reality to a higher place…
And don’t forget to enjoy the show!
Namaste
I was a newly minted MD, PhD, after my post-doc, in my first
3 years of playing assistant professor. 
Yet, also investing in our future selves. 
Enjoying that we are the embodiments and sensory organs of
Source… 
Then I was thinking about how I usually don’t think much
about the past. 
Sit or walk, or even exercise vigorously. 
Today’s blog is spurred by an article in Explore by Larry
Dossey, reviewing a new book titled, Beyond Physicalism: Toward Reconciliation of Science and
Spirituality. 
Wow! I liked
that. That fits into my philosophy. 
This unique embodiment, this unique receiver, this unique
formation of stardust… 
She was miserable for at least the past 2 years. 
She was always the first to laugh when watching a funny
movie or stage show. 
Some would push each other like small children. On several occasions someone would
spontaneously undress. 
