What are the 3 elements of consciousness?
Consciousness is the ability to be conscious of ourselves and the surrounding.
But I think this definition should extend to everything that exist in Nature, not just human beings.
For example, according to Biology a virus may not be considered alive as it cannot reproduce on its own.
However, a virus is aware of the surrounding since it targets cells in order to reproduce itself, and it surely wants to survive.
In fact, a virus is able to change its antigens (surface proteins) so that, the immune system of the hosting organism will struggle to recognize it. This will increase its chances of survival.
You may say fine, but how a rock can be conscious?
According to Chemistry atoms bound together to form molecules and componds, and to do that they must be aware of their own properties like the electric charge and their magnetic field. At this level electromagnetism regulates all interactions.
But probably, what is most interesting is to identify how conciousness works in humans.
So, here are 3 elements that we'd consider:
1. I am
2. A body-mind
3. In the world
When we wake up in the morning we assert unconsciously the above statements in order: I am, a body, in the world.
These are the 3 elements of consciousness.
Although we assert them unconsciously and simultaneously, they're separated and they don't necessarily have to follow each other. This means that the only element that we can be sure of, is the first one.
All other elements follows and are dependent on it.
Understanding the sequence of these points can help us to understand our true nature.
In other words, it's the identification with the body that requires a world in which it can live, but if we stop at the very first element, we don't need a body neither a world in order to be.
This is the extraordinary discovery of the Indian culture which is summarized in ancient traditions including Vedanta. [1]
But I think this definition should extend to everything that exist in Nature, not just human beings.
For example, according to Biology a virus may not be considered alive as it cannot reproduce on its own.
However, a virus is aware of the surrounding since it targets cells in order to reproduce itself, and it surely wants to survive.
In fact, a virus is able to change its antigens (surface proteins) so that, the immune system of the hosting organism will struggle to recognize it. This will increase its chances of survival.
You may say fine, but how a rock can be conscious?
According to Chemistry atoms bound together to form molecules and componds, and to do that they must be aware of their own properties like the electric charge and their magnetic field. At this level electromagnetism regulates all interactions.
But probably, what is most interesting is to identify how conciousness works in humans.
So, here are 3 elements that we'd consider:
1. I am
2. A body-mind
3. In the world
When we wake up in the morning we assert unconsciously the above statements in order: I am, a body, in the world.
These are the 3 elements of consciousness.
Although we assert them unconsciously and simultaneously, they're separated and they don't necessarily have to follow each other. This means that the only element that we can be sure of, is the first one.
All other elements follows and are dependent on it.
Understanding the sequence of these points can help us to understand our true nature.
In other words, it's the identification with the body that requires a world in which it can live, but if we stop at the very first element, we don't need a body neither a world in order to be.
This is the extraordinary discovery of the Indian culture which is summarized in ancient traditions including Vedanta. [1]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedanta
