Consciousness

Stop!

Take a moment and ask yourself,

• Are you Conscious?
• How do you know that you are Conscious?
• What is your idea about the highest level of Consciousness one can achieve for yourself?
• What is your definition of Consciousness?
  

Since my early childhood, I have questioned myself how individuals' conscious manipulation exists and how our free will arises from it. Still, those are unresolved puzzles to humans.

Here I expect to discuss the basic Scientific background and philosophical background behind "Consciousness."

Science of Consciousness

Scientifically, consciousness is defined as the state of being aware of oneself and one's surroundings, encompassing thoughts, sensations, and experiences, and is a neurobiological property of the brain.

Vital areas for Consciousness

If damage occurs to specific parts of the thalamus, or to a particular region of the brain stem, the result can be permanent unconsciousness. In addition to these parts, the cerebral cortex also contributes largely to build up the "awaking experience."

Francis Crick and Christof Koch, a neuroscientist and molecular biologist respectively, collaborated on a theory of consciousness, exploring the neural correlates of consciousness (NCC) and proposing that consciousness arises from the coordinated activity of specific brain regions. There are currently four main theoretical approaches in consciousness science. Anil Seth, a Professor at the University of Sussex, has mentioned 4 theories of consciousness; these theories focus on functional aspects of consciousness and emphasize frontal (at the front) and parietal (towards the back and off to the sides) brain regions.

To understand this approach, it helps to consider some insights from studies of consciousness that have used anesthetics. For decades, researchers have used electroencephalography (EEG) to observe electrical activity in the brains of people receiving various anesthetics. They can then analyze that activity with EEG readings. Consciousness, this and other research reveals, is not simply binary—on or off, conscious or unconscious—but instead something that can encompass a continuum of different states that involve different kinds of brain functioning. For instance, consciousness can be connected to the environment through our senses and behavior (connected consciousness), as in most of our waking hours, or disconnected from our surroundings (disconnected consciousness), as when we dream during sleep, characterized by patterns that are specific to various anesthetics, so-called anesthetic signatures.

Sam Parnia, professor in Medicine, has conducted a study about Awareness during Resuscitation (A multi-center study of consciousness and awareness in cardiac arrest). He has revealed that some patients have explained the whole phenomena that happened during resuscitation in detail while their heart was arrested and brain was unable to show significant electrical activity except for a few neural connections. These were noted by machines, but according to the experts of the subject, those few neural connections would never be able to give that level of conscious experience theoretically.

So even some scientists have argued that consciousness is not a state limited to the brain, that much of it may be outside the anatomical brain, and that if the brain fails, that is why those patients experience consciousness.

Research and experiments related to consciousness

Research and experiments related to consciousness cover a wide array of topics and methodologies, often involving interdisciplinary approaches that integrate psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, and more. Below is a comprehensive summary of various aspects of consciousness research, including experimental studies and notable findings from different institutions.

1. Current Experimental Research: The study of consciousness is undergoing a renaissance, with renewed interest spurred by advancements in neuroscience.
2. Psychedelic Research: The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research is at the forefront of this field. They are investigating the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, particularly psilocybin (the active compound in "magic mushrooms"). Their research focuses on how psychedelics can alter consciousness and produce significant effects on mental health, such as reducing anxiety in cancer patients and aiding smoking cessation. They emphasize that, under controlled conditions, psychedelics can reveal insights into consciousness and aid in treating various mental disorders.
3. The Division of Perceptual Studies: At the University of Virginia, this division conducts rigorous evaluations of extraordinary human experiences that challenge traditional paradigms of consciousness. They investigate phenomena like near-death experiences and reincarnation, aiming to discern the mind's relationship to the body and explore consciousness potentially transcending physical existence.
4. Empirical Measures of Consciousness: A significant challenge in consciousness research involves developing reliable measures for empirical experimentation. Studies indicate that consciousness is subjective and typically requires first-person reports to assess effectively. However, researchers agree that understanding the neural correlates of consciousness remains a critical and complex problem.
5. Neuroscience and Consciousness: Ongoing debates exist around whether brain activity causally produces consciousness. Some perspectives argue that while neural processes correlate with conscious experiences, the exact relationship remains uncertain, highlighting a major philosophical question known as the "hard problem" of consciousness.
6. Experimental Paradigms: Research has developed various experimental paradigms to explore conscious thoughts arising from reflex-like processes, aiming to bridge gaps between automatic and conscious cognitive processes. These experimental designs seek to uncover mechanisms that govern conscious awareness.
7. Future Directions: The integration of new methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration is seen as essential for addressing the foundational questions of consciousness research. There is a growing consensus on the need for empirical evidence to influence philosophical debates around consciousness, promoting further exploration in neurobiology and psychology.

An Open View on the topic

Neuroscientific ally, our mind works through the brain. Mostly we think that the mind is something inside the brain. But my personal thesis is that it connects to human consciousness through the brain. To explain this further, I will take a common example. Imagine the science behind the creation of a lightning attack. It is built up in upper clouds. Then it travels through the atmosphere like an electrical wave to earth. Here our thoughts behave like clouds. The brain acts like the medium for those to travel like an electrical wave. So if I tell it simply, the mind or whatever that astral energy is traveled through your brain to give you the "Experience of Mind." This is confusing to imagine if you have that typical thinking which is "our mind is inside of our brain."

If we expand this paradoxical thinking further, then we have another complicated question. What is that root or source where does conscious manipulation start? So now you can understand that finding an exact answer for these kinds of philosophical questions is really difficult.

Science tells us that the brain is a neuron hub. Here it consists of trillions of neurons and in between those neurons other cell types can be seen. We call them neuroglial cells, which mainly support neurons to have nutrition and to do their function well. Each neuron has 2 main components. An axon is a comparatively long structure which transmits impulses out from the neuron. Another main component is the cell body; for transmission of the electrical impulses, dendrites (a short branched extension of a nerve cell) also contribute; along these, impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body. All thoughts are transmitted through the brain like an electrochemical gradient. Inside of a neuron they travel like electricity and in between neurons, to transmit this impulse a temporary physical connection is built up which is called a "Synapse." So if you get an overall idea, "all of your thinking, thoughts are results of formation of a number of synapses and electrical gradients in the brain." However, the amazing fact here to be surprised about is this: "when you change your mind the structure of the brain is changing too." That means if you use one higher quality of your brain, the neurons of that area start to form new synaptic connections. This is a kind of "Neuroplasticity."

"Consciousness is a result of this electrochemical gradient." Actually, it is a higher overlapped stage of those electrical and synaptic transmissions in the human brain.

Consciousness could be divided into 2 aspects according to my perspective. Each and every person can make their own conscious surrounding; In a medical context, it can be defined as the state of awareness of oneself and one's surroundings, along with the ability to respond to stimuli and maintain a state of wakefulness. I and all of us primarily experience this level of consciousness.

This mainly works through the cerebral cortex. That helps us to imagine the presence. Why do I use the word "imagine" here? That will be another discussion. Anyway, to proceed as a human being we mainly need to get information from outside through six main sensory organs. This input data will play a big role in imagination of the moment called as "Presence." When you receive this timely information you experience primary consciousness. Here is another significant fact to comprehend. Most people misunderstand "Keeping concentration" as consciousness. Absolutely it is a part of this bigger cobweb.

Consciousness is the highest energetic stage of our brain according to Eastern philosophies. Attention is one part of it. However, this Primitive Consciousness limits us to some level and you can't go beyond the theory of physics. This is individual Consciousness or Comparative or Primitive Consciousness.

So what would be the other aspect? This is "Cosmic Consciousness." Science still has not proved that concept. But with the evolution of Quantum Physics, it has changed the scientists' perspective on reality. This highly influences Neuroscience. Metaphysically, the reality has another level of consciousness where it travels through the brain to individuals' own consciousness. The double slit experiment has opened a new pathway to liberal thinkers whether all of us are under universal observation. This universal observation could be a form of Cosmic Consciousness. This thesis is not restricted to quantum or Neuroscience. This was mentioned in all eastern philosophies like "Vedantha, Abhidarma and Yoga."

Eastern philosophical View on Consciousness

The book "Path to Light and Fire" by Swami Rama, who was an Indian yoga guru (1925 – 13 November 1996), has mentioned that consciousness has four states: waking, dreaming, deep sleep, and Turiya (the fourth state, a state of pure awareness beyond the other three). He emphasized the importance of understanding and coordinating the functions of the mind (manas, buddhi, ahamkara, and chitta) to achieve self-realization and expand one's consciousness.

In Hindu philosophy, the "turiya" state, meaning "the fourth," is a state of consciousness beyond the three common states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, representing pure, unconditioned awareness and the ultimate reality. This definition is much closer to the raw idea about "Cosmic Consciousness" mentioned above.

Vedanta offers a framework for understanding the nature of reality, the self, and the path to liberation, and it has had a profound influence on Indian philosophy and spirituality. It teaches that consciousness, or Brahman, is the ultimate reality, the underlying principle of the universe, and the true nature of the self (Atman). It emphasizes that all experiences are manifestations of this single, unchanging consciousness.

"Cosmic Consciousness"

There isn't a widely accepted scientific explanation for it. However, some scientists and philosophers explore the idea of consciousness as a fundamental aspect of the universe, potentially intertwined with information and quantum phenomena.

Richard Maurice Bucke (18 March 1837 – 19 February 1902) was a Canadian psychiatrist in the late 19th century; he had identified 3 grades of consciousness. "Simple Consciousness" - Which is possessed by the upper half of the animal kingdom. "Over and Above Simple Consciousness" - This is possessed by Humans; called as Self consciousness. The third grade is called "Cosmic Consciousness" - This stage is above self consciousness and he identified it as an expanded version of Self consciousness.

However, I will discuss the Scientific literature behind the topic in another chapter. Here I want to lay the foundation to this complicated Philosophy.

In Vedanta, cosmic consciousness (īśvara-caitanya) is understood as Brahman, the ultimate reality, united with Maya, the cosmic illusion, and responsible for the universe's creation, preservation, and dissolution. It's a manifestation of Brahman with attributes, distinct from the absolute consciousness (brahma-caitanya).

In Buddhism, "cosmic consciousness" or "cosmic intelligence" refers to a universal, interconnected consciousness that underpins the universe and all beings, often seen as a state of enlightenment where the self dissolves into a greater unity.

However, we are just third dimensional ordinary living beings when we try to comprehend such a huge process in Reality. So knowledge on self and the border between The Self and Nonself is something beyond our human perception. Here, we'll try to get some initial steps to study these non-physical processes.

References

• Brown, Christian Guay, Emery. "Consciousness Is a Continuum, and Scientists Are Starting to Measure It." Scientific American, 26 Jan. 2024, www.scientificamerican.com/article/consciousness-is-a-continuum-and-scientists-are-starting-to-measure-it/.
• https://www.newscientist.com/definition/consciousness/#:~:text=In%20a%20little%20more%20detail,the%20causes%20of%20sensory%20inputs
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_cosmology.