Consciousness is not unique to
humans. All “lives” have some form of consciousness. Even metacognition may not
be unique, although metacognition using language is unique to humans. It is so
marvelous that we are carried away. I am aware of myself and of my thoughts. I
go to sleep and wake up, and “I” am still me.
In addition, when thinking about
the origin of this earth and live forms, the mind suggests the word “creation”
and immediately it asks “if created, who is the creator? And what was his
motive?” This immediately implies that knowledge and intention associated with
the mind are more important than and precede the beginning of life itself. It
may be so. But, we will not even know we have “life” if we are not aware. So,
our ancestors emphasized mind and consciousness of that Supreme Awareness,
which is the basis of all awareness.
Even accepting that line of
thinking, how can there be consciousness without a live body with an organ for
thinking? Given what we know now about the biology of “life” and
“consciousness”, it is time to rethink our focus. I believe I should meditate
on the mystery and the wonder of “life” using the consciousness that comes with
it, rather than on the consciousness which depends on life.
What is life? And, why? Daniel Koshland (Science 2002: 295: 2215-2216), a
distinguished scientist, who used to be the editor of Science magazine
identified seven common thermodynamic and kinetic factors by which “life” and
living systems operate. He described them in the acronym “PICERAS” and
called them the “Seven Pillars of Life”. They are: 1. Program – organized plan
describing both the ingredients and the kinetics of interaction between the
ingredients. 2. Improvisation – allowing the programs to change if and when the
environment changes. 3. Compartmentalization – providing special containers in
which concentrations of essential chemical ingredients can be maintained in an
ideal state and protected from the outside. 4. Energy – availability of
continuous source of energy and ability to exchange energy in an open system.
5. Regeneration – includes regeneration of essential constituents and
reproduction. 6. Adaptability – different from improvisation in that this is a
behavioral response from within the existing repertoire and not a change in the
fundamental program itself. 7. Seclusion – of pathways that “allows thousands
of reactions to occur with high efficiency in the tiny volume of a cell, while
simultaneously receiving selective signals that ensure an appropriate response
to environmental changes.”
If we look at the earliest
unicellular life forms, they did two things: exchanged energy and divided.
Therefore, can you call anything that divides and exchanges energy as living?
Are both of these functions necessary conditions? What about a virus which does
not do either but is capable of both, using someone else? What about spores which
have “slow” or suspended metabolism and do not divide? In other words, if a
“thing” has the potential for metabolism and division, does it have “life”?
What about ovum and sperm? They
have metabolism but cannot divide until they unite. Does life start when they
unite or even earlier, since they do have the potential?
And, given that the natural
course of events in this world is for energy to equilibrate with its
environment, how did such an inefficient mechanism of life evolve? It requires
considerable energy to keep the chemical reactions going in a cell to keep it
alive? We know it is able to do that by using energy from the sun. But, why?
The words “course of events”, imply
time. Yes, TIME is a factor in this chain of thoughts.
If I define “life” with these
questions in mind, I see that life exists in a body which consists of elements
from nature that come together. As Buddha said “We are made of elements other
than us”, “We are inter-beings”. It has to use energy from outside to maintain
its integrity as a living thing. It has to multiply. But, this is not an
absolute requirement; but a characteristic. The most important limiting
condition for this living thing is TIME – it comes at a time and gets out at a
time. There is nothing called “immortal”.
And, it has no control over when and where it comes into being and how
and when it will get out of the scene.
In essence, life has no choice in
its presence or in its duration of existence. It happens and stays for a while
and goes. That is the mystery. But, Why?
Given that life gives us the
benefit and gift of Consciousness, we need to use consciousness to reflect on
that mystery called life. We can connect with all other lives (compassion) and with the Cosmos (humility) through our
consciousness and wonder at the marvel. That wonder is mysticism and
spirituality. It is better than using the mind and consciousness to create
dogmas, “imaginary” worlds and “echo chambers”.
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