Thursday, August 23, 2012

Can science define consciousness?

"Consciousness" by filmmaker Gregory Alsbury 2005, is a 5-DVD series interviewing 20 experts in various fields such as neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, neurobiology, physics, cell biology, neurology, artificial intelligence, and more.
Two themes come up repeatedly - it is something that can be explained or understood in terms of subjects like quantum mechanics; it is a real frontier, or a fringe edge of science.
It is clear from the approximately 8 hours of video that there is no general agrrement because there is no clear understanding. Some of them think we are on the border of discovery, others imply that it is incomprehensible and unknown. One ended by saying "I don't know what else more there is to say on the subject."
It can be that scientists have no better definitions than spiritual masters, and even less understanding.
There is little to no attempt to even define the word itself. The best definition I have come across is that it is "cognitive awareness." Generally definitions simply use other words to establish a context to define it. It becomes something that can only be an intuitive impression, a word that cannot be said without further elaboration. According to the experts, even the state of unconsciousness is not understood. The DVDs are now 7 years ago, but could it be that the investigations have been completed since then? Look anywhere now, that is an easy "no."
So my use of the word consciousness to apply to all that is, and to nothing that isn't, as a way to bring clarity to the relationship of various sates of awareness, oneness, and creation, might as well stand. Until things are better explored, more deeply and clearly contemplated, or more effectively communicated, why not use the word to describe the unity beyond witness, Brahman without Atman, the inconceivable and infinite God. Anything that brings more clarity to the jargon of Enlightenese and to scientists who forever try to grasp the truth without being able to let go of the last bit of impermanence. (Referring back to my other essays on consciousness, awareness, etc).

Note: this DVD series represents a small part of the sources of info I have surveyed con consciousness and related topics over years. Books, other audio or video presentations, live teachers, ancient texts, churches, "men of faith," Gurus, fellow seekers/finders, satsang-givers, journaling, and countless hours of self-inquiry ad contemplation.

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