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Consciousness
-Consciousness
is a field of awareness.
-Consciousness is awareness of Self and Other.
-Consciousness is the degree to which something is aware of its existence and its potentiality.
What is
Consciousness?
How did consciousness come about, and what is it? When the Omnipresent
Reality, the Absolute became conscious of Itself, consciousness came
about. And from that consciousness a universe was manifest. In our
universe that consciousness manifests as the breath that makes everything
live. (Paraphrase of the Mother).
What is
Consciousness?
The Absolute while in the state of Existence can be conscious of Itself in
either direction. It can be conscious of being Absolute in which case it
goes back to Its original state. Or, it can be conscious of ONE of its
potentials. Ananda, Supermind, Cosmos, Knowledge, Matter etc. are all
there in it as potentials. To be conscious of the next stage brings it out
in manifestation. ... I bring out any potential of mine when I am
conscious of it. ... Consciousness is the faculty that brings out of me
whatever is in potential. (MSS)
The Spectrum of Human Consciousness
We have a limited view of what "consciousness" is. We believe that it is our waking mental awareness. But that is only one type. There is also an inner consciousness that is subconscious to us. It has subtle levels of awareness, is in touch with forces, powers, that our normal mentality cannot even begin to fathom. For example, it can now what our deepest intentions are, even as we are not aware of them in our waking minds!
Thus, our subconscious has waking, powerful parts that are active and alive, below our own conscious level of awareness, perceiving and acting on its own accord. There we find the personal evolving soul, which is there to absorb the essence of our growth in life so it can continue on its journey of fulfillment through time. If we are in touch with it, it becomes our most profound guide, a leader of our progress, evolution, and purpose.
If there is a consciousness below our normal level of awareness, there is also one "above" and beyond our mentality. This realm is superconscious to us. It includes the universal consciousness that is in touch with all forms and forces in the universe, and beyond that a transcendent consciousness that is the Source and Stability, and Purpose behind this universe of forms. It is the consciousness of the Divine.
Interestingly, if we evolve our own consciousness -- e.g. through ridding our lower nature, overcoming wanting attitudes, meditation, higher knowledge, consecration, calling, etc. -- we can develop a constant and close relationship with our subconscious, which will give purpose and guidance far beyond our normal mentality. Likewise, we can be open in our hearts and mind to the superconscient that stands at the very source and heart of life in the cosmos, which will add greatly to our level of awareness. We then become a single center of power, wisdom, light, harmony, peace, love, and delight, as all the realms of consciousness are there at our disposal.
Individual, Universal, Transcendent
Consciousness
There is individual, universal, and
transcendent consciousness. The universal serves the
transcendent; the individual, the universal.
Individual consciousness (large I) is a fully realized consciousness of the individual. Universal consciousness is the fully realized, integral consciousness of life, creation, and the cosmos. Transcendent consciousness is that of the Infinite Divine.
The ultimate individual has through the Individual consciousness that of the universal and transcendent as well.
Individual Consciousness
There is the individual (small i) consciousness of the
individual who lives in an essential Ignorance, and there is
the true Individual (large I) Consciousness who lives in
Truth, Knowledge, Love, Beauty, Creativity, timelessness,
Power, etc.
The individual moving to the Individual consciousness is progress, evolution, transformation.
As lifer forms have evolved they have moved to increasing consciousness; i.e. from physical to vital to mental consciousness. Higher consciousness of mind, spirit, heart, and even the body are the frontiers of human consciousness.
Man mostly lives in his physical and vital consciousness, and is increasingly mental. As he rises to true rationality and spiritualized mind of light intuition, and revelation he rises in mental consciousness. Developing the heart (e.g. self-givingness, love), refining the emotions, and overcoming the limitations of the body (disease, decay, and death) are forms of evolution of consciousness in these various parts of his being.
Wider View of the Term "Consciousness"
We have a limited view of what 'Consciousness' is. We believe that it
is our waking mental awareness. But that is only one type of
consciousness. In sleep there is a consciousness, as there is one in
our physical body. Even what we call "unconscious," or "subconscious"
is a real consciousness that exists, but that we are unaware of and
cannot fathom its workings. But the subconscious is conscious. It has
powerful parts and inner workings that are active and alive, below our
own conscious level of awareness. beyond these there is a universal
consciousness, and beyond that the consciousness of the Infinite
Divine.
Spiritual Expressions of Consciousness
Consciousness expresses as Silence, Oneness, Wisdom, Knowledge,
Truth, Power, Love, Delight, Beauty, Creativity, Infinity,
Timelessness, etc. These are expressions of the Spirit above and
in life (i.e. through human experience and realization).
What is Consciousness?
The awareness of Existence (Sat) is consciousness;
whether it be the Absolute in Its awareness of Itself, or our own self
becoming aware of the true nature of the Reality. It is in essence the
awareness of Spirit. And that awareness of Existence/Spirit is also a
Force, which for the Absolute became the universe, and for us becomes
the source of everything that comes about in the world. Of course, by
discovering that Reality we can collaborate in that unfolding, for
nothing new can come about in the world without consciousness.
Source of Life is Infinite Consciousness
From an Infinite consciousness came this universe of forms. Thus,
consciousness is the source of all.
When the Infinite extended itself, it's first poise was as Conscious Being. It was beyond consciousness, and then it limited itself to a sense of self-realization, i.e. consciousness.
Higher Consciousness and Life Response
Life response -- i.e. sudden good fortune -- is simply a matter of
consciousness. The higher the consciousness, the more frequent and
more intense the response. Then what is consciousness? It is the degree
to which I am aware of my existence and my potentiality in life.
How then can I live in high rather than low consciousness? I can do
so by first moving my orientation from the surface of life to a deeper
poise within. Second, I can also make an ongoing effort try to identify
and then improve all of the wanting parts of my being. Third, I can open
to the Spiritual Force. Ultimately, I can surrender to the Divine
Reality and live only for Its Purpose and Intent. Any and all of these
will expand my consciousness.
By taking these approaches, I move from the individual to the
universal plane, enabling my energies to flow freely and align with
corresponding positive conditions. These miraculous-like instances of
sudden good fortune are not only indicators that my consciousness is
rising, but that I have embarked on