Alan Wallace uses the term Contemplative Science to refer to meditation, since it is a scientific study of our minds although subjective in nature. Thomas Merton calls meditation practiced by Christians as Contemplative Prayer. Whatever name we give, the process of meditation includes reflecting on our own mental experiences as they appear in our consciousness.
Consciousness has become a major subject of scientific
scrutiny. There are several books on this subject. However, there is no
definition of consciousness, agreed by all disciplines interested in this
topic. That is because it is subjective and there are no objective means, as
yet, of detecting and measuring consciousness. Two other topics defying
definition are life and health.
The best we can do is to list its characteristics as
experienced by each one of us and compare the list with those of others based
on universal and uniform features. This is consciousness from the
neurophysiological point of view. Not from a metaphysical point of view.
Buddha lists two features as characteristic of “pure”
consciousness: luminosity and cognizant. The Vedas of India say the same thing.
They are vague terms. However, both Buddha and the Vedas say that this is basic
awareness (meta awareness) which illuminates everything – physical, mental,
phenomenal, thoughts, emotions etc. It is aware of the objects of the mind and of the mind itself. In the Upanishad it
says: tameva bhaantam anubhaati sarvam; tasya bhaasa sarvamidam vibhati. It shines on its own and illuminates everything.
This sounds interesting and intriguing. This also suggests
that there is something else outside of our mind which gives the power of
awareness to the mind. I have problem with that. Without a living body and a
functioning brain, there is no mind. Without mind, there is no awareness.
Granted that life is a mystery and consciousness is a mystery. Even if science
figures out the “how” of life and of consciousness, I doubt we will ever find
out “why”.
This does not rule out the fact that everything we see and
experience must have come out of “Something with Its Inherent Knowledge and
Energy”, the Brahman, Father in Heaven, Allah or whatever name we have
given.
The best answer is ‘I do not know”.
The awareness of awareness is indeed special. My guess is
that even some animals have this capacity. This is the faculty which leads to
the ego (the I and the mine) and human arrogance. Therefore, it is worth
reflecting on it to understand the realities of this universe and develop
humility and compassion.
On a related note, I read in Aurobindo’s writing that the
three worlds listed in the Vedas (Bhu, Bhuva and Swa) represent the body, mind
and the connecting breath. Kaushitaki Upanishad says this too. Breath is
another mystery without which there can be no life. Without life there can be no
awareness.
It makes sense to focus on the breath, as the connection
between the body and the mind and then focus on consciousness and the contents of the mind. The
next step is awareness of consciousness of life and of our own awareness of
that consciousness. The next step is to empty the contents and stay with pure
awareness only.
That is what the original writings of the Upanishads and
Buddha recommend. We get carried away by our arrogance. We refuse to consider
the possibility that there are/ may be dimensions we are not aware of because
of the limitations of our own brain and the mind. We get side-tracked and
buried in so many side-paths and diversions.
1 comment:
The "breath" is the connection between body & mind. Why not this be the same as "consciousness". May be my thinking is not quite right. The thought is most provoking. Thanks.
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