Consciousness is the least understood topic by the many scholars. We speak of it all the time as if we know what it is. Many people, including Webster dictionary, define consciousness as 'being aware' or 'having feelings'. However, my understanding of consciousness goes deeper than just the definition described in the dictionary. One cannot speak of consciousness without mentioning the word mind. I feel that these two words can be used interchangeably. However, some people use these two words independently. Perhaps, they can be compared to our body; the body cannot survive without a heart. Likewise, a heart serves no purpose without the body.
Consciousness was probably born at the same time as the mind - many eons in the past. A popular question asked by many for enjoyment, which came first? Chicken or Egg. My answer would be both came at the same time. One could not exist without the other. Consciousness, therefore, can be defined as both memory and storage device. This can be compared to the computer hard drive. As mentioned in the previous post, Mind / The Interpretation, mind is a central processing unit for the self. Mind follows a set of instructions stored in the consciousness. These instructions are as simple as compare and update the information. They are also as complex as anyone can imagine.
To begin, consciousness is a stored memory of information - any information. Information such as sight, sound, taste, taste, feeling, and any information perceived by these senses. What we hear, see, think, feel, do, and imagine are being updated constantly by our mind - similarly to how computer CPU processes its information. These stored memories cannot be deleted but can be updated with the new ones. For instance, when we drive to an unfamiliar place, we store the route that takes us there. Later, if we find a better route, we also store this new route in our conscious mind. And if we know five ways to this particular place, we have five stored memories. Mind is magical. It compares the information being perceived with these stored memories in order to take the next step - old or new. If the information is new, the mind adds it to its storage device.
Now, if we sit calmly figuring out how much memories we have accumulated within this lifetime. We would probably remember about 5% of our past experiences. The other 95% experiences are still there - not lost ; however, they have been placed in our subconsciousness due to infrequent access. When we are having a deja vu, we actually are accessing the information in our subconscious mind. This information could be coming from the past life.
In this post, I started to briefly describe my understanding about the conscious mind or consciousness and mind. To really understand anything, especially non-physical being, is to dig into ourselves with questions on a continual basis. Libraries, bookstores, and online are great resources for reading. Throughout my life, I have only read three books cover to cover. I mostly skim through other books I have bought; and many are unread - just sitting there collecting dust.
Sometimes I wonder if mind and consciousness are alive - but just unseen. I will continue to explore this phenomenon at a later time.
Jack Panyakone
Resources
11. Magic Power
YouTube Meditation Videos created by Jack Panyakone
1. Guided 15 Minutes Meditation - Beginner
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