What is Consciousness? – A Deep Exploration

In recent years, the mystery of consciousness has captured the attention of scientists, philosophers, and spiritual seekers alike. Modern neuroscience, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence research are striving to decode the nature of self-awareness and perception. Meanwhile, philosophers continue to debate whether consciousness is a product of the brain or an independent reality. However, long before these modern inquiries, the ancient Indian Vedic tradition had already provided profound insights into the nature of awareness, existence, and the self.

Today, we delve into this timeless question—What is consciousness? By examining it through the lenses of philosophy, modern science, and ancient Vedantic wisdom, we seek to understand whether consciousness is merely a byproduct of neural activity or the fundamental reality underlying all existence.

Let us explore this fascinating subject and uncover what the ancient sages, scientific minds, and philosophical traditions reveal about the true essence of awareness and self.

Introduction: what is Consciousness?

This part is in continuation of my first post on the topic “What is Consciousness: General Perspective.”. Readers are requested to read the first post to have a general idea of consciousness.

All that is known is knowing. It is “knowing” that knows knowing. All that is experienced now is consciousness. How does that “something,” which is infinite, take shapes in finite as experience? How does consciousness appear to itself? As multiplicity and diversity of the self? In an attempt to discuss this question, an analogy: Imagine a scene of a dream. Dream breaks, then what remains in mind? What was in my dream? Where is the scene seen? Seen by whom? 

In the study of consciousness, there is a break through by the Upanishads: NON-DUAL VEDANTA (ADVAITA VEDANTA). Let’s look into ancient insights for personal life, all the way back to 5000 years old. The whole purpose is about overcoming human suffering. That is the essence of non-dual Vedanta.

It is not a religion. Also not about mystical experiences either. This is about daily experiences like awaking, dreaming, and deep sleep. Now let us apply some logical thoughts and investigate. Vedanta is an investigation to find out who or what we are. When we will realize that we are not limited to this body of flesh and blood, but we are immortal consciousness.

It is a journey from not knowing to knowing.

It is not against any faith, nor is it a religion. No rituals, no path. Simply reasoning. There are methodologies to understand and to establish logics. We may refer to the text “DIG DRISHYA VIVEKA,“ which was written some 700 years ago. An eminent author and scholar of that period, known as Vidyaranya Swami, composed that text. Please follow the explanations very carefully. Points to be noted are:

• We see the world through our eyes. Eyes are distinct from what it sees. Here, eyes are the seer.
• I am aware of the eyes; those eyes are objects. Mind is seer, and eyes are now objects. Eyes and mind are separate.

Let us think deeply. The mind is the observer of the body because it observes through all sense organs. It is seer here. Let us observe Mind now. The mind itself, which constitutes our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and ideas, is changing and is never static. I am aware that whether,

• I am happy or not.
• I understand or do not understand.
• I like or do not like.
• I love or do not love.
• I hate or do not hate.
• I am angry or not angry.

All above are expressions of our mind. These are wave of thoughts. So, I am aware of all the changes in my mind. Therefore, I am the witness of the mind. Hence mind is seen by Me. Evidently , I am distinct from the MIND. I am not the mind, but witness of the mind. Seer and seen are different. I am that who illumines my MIND.

Now the logic is : I must not forget that “I”, the witness of the mind, whatever I am, I am distinct from the Mind. I am thus aware and conscious of the Mind, the variations in Mind. Generally, we identify ourselves most closely with our Minds. I am this person who thinks, feels has a personality (my personality-that i am proud of ” I AM “

But this person, this Mind is who I think “I AM” and here we are being told, if you are aware of the contents of your mind , then you cannot be the mind, “YOU ARE THAT”=> which is aware of the Mind, that which is witness of the Mind. This witness, this awareness is Consciousness.  Mind being observed by Consciousness. Therefore, we have first crossed bodily self to a sense of mental self and then finally to a sense of witness. Now I have become the witness of my Body and Mind.

Now that I am distinct from this body and mind. So, Who Am I? 

Answer is: I am consciousness. I Am the Witness of the Body and Mind. This consciousness self, this pure subject, is not an object. It cannot be known. I AM always awareness, consciousness, not something else.

” O Rama ! The world is nothing but a mere vibration of Consciousness in space. It seems to Exist even as a Goblin seems to exist in the eyes of the ignorant. All this is But Maya. For here there is no contradiction between the infinite Consciousness and the apparent existence of the Universe. It is like marvelous dream of a person who is awake”….  from “YOGA VASISTHA” as said to Lord Rama by the Sage Vasistha.”

The idea that consciousness is not an object is fundamental insight going all the way back to the “Upanishads.”. According to the teachings of the Upanishads, consciousness is not an object. Whatever we are aware of is not consciousness. What we see, hear, smell, taste, think of, understand, or objectify in any manner, what so ever, none of these is consciousness. These are objects shinning in consciousness.

What is consciousness? 

Please listen to this lyric, “Nirvana Shatakam,” a creation of Shree Adi Shankaracharya. 

Vedanta defines consciousness very precisely. “Neti, neti.” Whatever we can be aware of, either directly through our senses or through our mind or thoughts, or indirectly through scientific instruments, all of these are objects.

That which is aware of all these objects is consciousness. It is purely subjective. Consciousness is uniquely distinct from the objective universe.

The Illusion of Mind as the Self

Now, let us explore the idea that the mind is also an object. Consider this: here is the external world, and I am aware of it. When I shift my attention, I become aware of my body, then my eyes. Now, I focus on the mind, which is aware of the eyes. Thoughts, emotions, and feelings arise from what is seen. I become aware of my mind, which has processed all these experiences.

Now, let us push further—what if I drop the mind? The state of “NO MIND” emerges. The mind becomes blank, devoid of thoughts. Yet, I remain aware of this blankness. This experience is profound. But what is it that is aware of the blankness—aware that there are no thoughts? It is consciousness, the illuminating presence behind all experiences, which itself is not an object. We call this “pure consciousness.” The term “pure” does not imply goodness or superiority; rather, it signifies the absence of attributes. This pure consciousness is universal, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent, indivisible, infinite, and unbound—beyond all limitations.

The Real “I AM” Beyond Mind and Body

If I am pure consciousness, distinct from the body and mind, witnessing their changes and experiencing the external world through them, then I am, in a sense, free from both. This realization defines my true identity—the “I AM.” Birth, aging, disease, and death are merely transformations of the physical body, while emotions like anger, jealousy, sorrow, and joy are fluctuations of the mind. However, I exist beyond these ever-changing experiences.

Since I observe the mind and body, they must be separate from me. The mind fluctuates, causing suffering, pleasure, pain, frustration, anxiety, and fear, yet these are all objects of my awareness—not my true self. I am always free from them. They arise, shine in my light, and disappear, yet I remain—the ever-present, unchanging light of pure consciousness.

The Upanishads declare, “That shining, everything else shines; by its light, everything is lit up.” Once we grasp this truth, a profound sense of inner freedom emerges. Even in the face of life’s greatest struggles, we recognize that we are not bound by them—we are the awareness that illuminates all experiences.

The Upanishad says, “That shining, everything else shines; by its light, everything is lit up.” Once we understand this, there will be a great sense of freedom. Even the worst experiences in the body, even the most turbulent states of the mind, are mere objects. They are not attached to me, the consciousness that illuminates them.

What is Experience?

According to Vedanta, experience arises when consciousness engages with an object. When directed toward the body, it manifests as a bodily experience. Similarly, when it shines upon the mind, it gives rise to thoughts, emotions, and perceptions. Furthermore, when flowing through both body and mind, it shapes our perception of the external world.

EXPERIENCE = Consciousness + Object

The world constantly changes, the body undergoes transformations, and the mind fluctuates. Yet, despite all these changes, everything is illuminated by the unchanging light of consciousness, which is our true nature. This realization is profound and transformative. While neuroscience, modern science, and philosophy of mind struggle to define consciousness, Non-Dual Vedanta takes a bold stance. It asserts that consciousness is not just an aspect of existence—it is the ultimate reality. In fact, there is no second reality—only pure awareness exists.

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Is Consciousness Many or One?

If each of us is pure awareness, illuminating our individual body and mind, does that mean there are millions or billions of separate consciousnesses? At first glance, it may seem so. However, Vedanta teaches otherwise. Although we have distinct bodies and different minds, pure consciousness itself is not an object—it is neither body nor mind. Since it does not mix with any object, there is no way to separate one consciousness from another. Therefore, according to Advaita Vedanta, Consciousness is One.

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A Simple Analogy

To better understand this, consider a clay jar with multiple holes. Inside the jar, there is a single flame. From the outside, light appears to be shining through many holes, creating the illusion that multiple lights exist. However, in reality, there is only one flame illuminating through many openings.

The Bhagavad Gita beautifully expresses this truth:

“Consciousness is one and undivided in all beings, but it appears to be divided when shining through many bodies and minds.”
— Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 13, Verses 16-18

Pure Consciousness: How Can One Attain?

List of Books: Recommended For Interested Readers:

1. Thought As a System: By DAVID BOHM 
2. BIOCENTRISM: How life and consciousness are the keys to Understanding the True Nature of The Universe: By Robert Lanza, MD, with BOB BERMAN
3. Beyond Biocentrism: Rethinking Time, Space, Consciousness, and the Illusion of Death. By Robert Lanza, MD, with BOB BERMAN
4. Entangled Minds: Extra Sensory Experiences in A Quantum Reality. By Dean Radin.
5. Expand Your Consciousness through DAVID K MILLER
6. Quantum Enigma—Physics Encounter Consciousness: By Bruce Rosen Blum and Fred Kuttner.
7. Back to the Truth: 5000 years of ADVAITA by Dennis Waite.
8. THE TEN PRINCIPAL UPANISHADS: Translated by Shree Purohit** Swami and W.B.Yeats
9. Brahma Sutra Bhasya of Sankaracharya: Translated by Swami Gambhirananda.**
10. EIGHT UPANISADS – VOL-1 with commentary of Sankaracharya, translated by SWAMI GAMBHIRANANDA.
11. A-U-M Awakening to Reality : By Dennis Waite***
12. Panchadasi: Swami Vidyaranya: 
13. Information is available on the internet.

Useful link:

[Unified field of consciousness backed up by modern science (tmhome.com)] 

Please go through the following post for knowledge on pure consciousness. ” The Divine Art”

The Divine Art