The Dangers of Misinterpreting Consciousness

Consciousness is said to be “the state of being aware”. However, the word ‘consciousness’ has many interpretations. Science and psychology will use it one way, western philosophy will use it another way, religions another, and Buddhism yet another way, as mind having consciousnesses.

The way we interpret “the state of being aware” has great consequences to our understanding and the way in which we live. If we are brought up through generations of limited interpretation, we become stuck in a narrow confused view. The term “being aware” is a convenient view – a conventional reality, as in “I am being aware”; it is being conscious of something that makes us feel alive and human.

“Being aware” is not the same as “awareness” itself, which is beyond the limits of an intellectual, judgmental, chatty ‘I’. Pure awareness is pure intelligence, uncontaminated and before any I identification; it is absolute reality.

Here is the terrible problem

Modern science seems to be suggesting that the functioning of the brain is the mind. Therefore, if someone is anxious or depressed, their state of consciousness can be treated with expensive chemicals or expensive therapies. Did I say treated? 😉

Modern science cannot find consciousness, so dismisses spiritual teachings on the subject. It is in the very non-finding that consciousness/awareness is found or realised, but that takes practice, and a change in the understanding of words; “double speak” was created to mislead people. Before modern science, we had the churches and superstitions to ‘heal us from our evils’.

The normal state of a sentient mind is to be aware of anxieties, depressions, dissatisfactions and confusions: that awareness that is our path of self healing! And it costs nothing; we merely have to be aware.

Of course, when we identify with thoughts and emotions, this will have an effect on our brain, which will have an effect on our nervous/immune systems – and our whole body.

Let natural food,
and a compassionate chat with a spiritual friend,
be your medicine.

This is Tuesday 6^th January 2015. Because of complex political and corporate agenda, hospitals in Britain are in crisis, and cannot cope with the number of people needing help. People have become reliant upon modern lifestyles and have forgotten that the source of our wellbeing is within our own consciousness.

Hippocrates:

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

“As to diseases, make a habit of two things —
to help, or at least, to do no harm.”

“A wise man should consider
that health is the greatest of human blessings,
and learn how, by his own
thought,
to derive benefit from his illnesses.”

“The natural healing force within each of us
is the greatest force in getting well.”