Theory of Consciousness

Experiences in my life gave me time as well as reasons to think about the topic of Consciousness. Hence I planned to share what I gained.

What is actually Consciousness?

Consciousness is self-awareness, a realization of System and Surroundings, yes I may sound like giving a lecture on Thermodynamics, but yes it’s true.

What is System? The system is nothing but you. What is the more obvious Surrounding? Surrounding is nothing but various biotic and abiotic factors that affect your system.

A Human Body

A human body is an open system, it loves to interact with its surroundings. Our senses are open to interacting with the surroundings, in some, we have a certain level of control but in other not. Howsoever hard we try, we cannot stop our brain to think, maybe with the best meditation we can, but for the very small time. Our ability to detect smell, taste, movements and gestures, touch, and hurt someone physically and mentally makes us one of a kind. Humans are the most destructive as well as constructive living beings on this earth. Human beings have this ability to think beyond food and reproduction. Our ability to gain skills as per our need makes us unique. We have a highly sophisticated brain, with trillions of neurons that know how to react and how to respond.

My question is do we actually give a thought about how much capable are we?

Surroundings are the things that affect us from outside, most of the time it consists of biotic (relationships and people) and abiotic (materials, food, money, resources etc.) factors. Our ability to get affected by the surrounding differ to a very great extent, some are more sensitive to biotic factors, some carry more sensitivity towards abiotic factors.

We are actually a perfect Thermodynamic System

Now after understanding this difference between System and surroundings, do we understand that system exchanges material and energy with its surroundings? We are actually the example of one of the best Open Systems in Thermodynamics. We exchange Energy by getting it in form of Food and material by replenishing our system with water or removing waste from our body.

So where is the GAP!

The gap appears when we get solely starts manipulating and maneuvering our surrounding thinking that we are at the center of this entire Creation, which is not true. Every system has a certain level of responsibility to its surroundings, too much extraction of surroundings is always going to increase the imbalance.
Do we actually think that our time is limited on this Earth? Although Scientists are doing research on aging and longevity, there is always an end of what came into existence biologically.
The irony is that while mining resources from our surroundings, our system just keep on forgetting the very basic nature of life, “There is an end to everything that took birth”. So what should we do?

The Ultimate Goal

What I have experienced in my life, the ultimate Goal of a Human being is to take his/her existing consciousness level to a higher level.

How can we increase our level of consciousness?

First thing, a constant awareness what are we? We are just like other several living species that are there on this earth. We are a system, other living beings plants and animals are separate systems too. The first task is to learn to live in coherence with other systems.

Important Questions?

Can we live peacefully with our neighbors? Are we conscious about the plants and trees? Are we conscious about birds and other animals which we see in our day to day life? Do we have the ability to live with them in the least destructible manner? If you have understood how to live with your surroundings and systems peacefully, then congratulations, you have reached a higher level of Consciousness with which you took birth.

The step 1 itself require herculean efforts, as we are full of prejudice, yes there are reasons behind all those pre-existing notions. Consciousness is to have MAXIMUM harmony with other systems and surroundings, it’s up to you how you can manage.

Try to be Polymath

The second part is consciousness towards different subjects. Do you have consciousness towards good or bad music? Can you catch a missing note in some instrumental music? Do you have an eye for details on clothing or taste? Why do you like certain subjects more than others? This actually tells you about your nature, that for what particular stuff you are more conscious? Try to bring your Consciousness to the level ground. Try to train yourself to distinguish between worst, bad, good and best form of any art or subjects or skills. Once you achieve it in your home subjects, than start applying it in Cross-domains. Try to be a musician who can cook great food or a plumber who can understand the fine-art of engraving on wood, can you do that?

Cross-domain knowledge actually going to broaden your vision and increase your consciousness to a great extent. If you see, in ancient times most of the philosophers are Polymaths, they knew about several subjects and this unique ability actually able to increase their creativity to a very great extent. Be it Aristotle or Leonardo the Vinci, most of them were great in several fields.

You can also think Consciousness to the level of sensitivity in some cases. Sensitivity again meant realization here.

Summary

Constant awareness of what you are and your time is limited on this earth. Understand systems and surroundings concept, learn to live in harmony with other systems and your immediate surroundings. Try to develop the least invasive behavior. Try to minimize the collateral damage as much as you can. Saving other conscious systems actually benefit your system too.
You can take a stepwise approach. First, make your own body healthy and hygienic. An unhealthy system is anyway a hazard for its surrounding, first, start working on yourself. Try to bring humility and gratitude. With Gratitude automatically, selfishness will get removed and you will be able to establish a very coherent system. Learn to live with your family in a healthy manner. Live peacefully with your neighbors, with animals, plants and also with abiotic factors like air and water. Don’t pollute your environment, don’t abuse resources. Clean water and air, actually gives a nurturing environment to your consciousness. In short, make Peace!

Don’t think you are at the center, your time is limited. Would you like to spend it in damaging your surroundings or nurturing your surroundings? One way is the way to peace and another way is the road of self-destruction.

I am going to present some more articles on Consciousness, keep on reading.

Yash Pal Singh