What is the single most fundamental and uniform experience in life?

Question

Hint
My previous question was "what is the single defining characteristic of this material existence." Two people hinted at consciousness, which was close. My chosen answer related to the external nature of our existential condition. This question addresses the internal experience, consciousness. The insinuation is that there is a dichotomy between the consciousness and the external experience of the mind and senses. The best answer will elaborate on this dichotomy.

Answer 1

Consciousness is of course the most fundamental and uniform experience in life. The very concept of experience is predicated on consciousness and all living beings are conscious entities. Although the answer is obviously consciousness, it would seem to be very problematic for most of us to actually explain the nature of consciousness, even though it is the most fundamental principle of our lives.

Actually, this question is a scientific question. Unfortunately, the answer will likely result in cries of protest from the guardians of scientific truth that it is based on religious faith and unscientific mysticism. After all, our prejudices are oriented against that which we cannot verify empirically.

Fortunately, science and religion merge in the absolute truth. The Bhagavad Gita (the song of God) comprehensively deliniates the exact nature of consciousness.

Mamaivamso jiva-loke
Jiva bhutah sanatanah
Manah sastanindriyani
Prakriti-sthani karshati

“The living entities in this conditioned world are my eternal, fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.” (Bhagavad Gita 15.7)

Explaining this verse, Srila Prabhupada emphasises the sanskrit word “karshati”,
“The conditioned soul is bound up, as though shackled by iron chains. He is bound up by the false ego, and the mind is the chief agent which is driving him in this material existence. Here it is clearly indicated that concepts which hold that consciousness is the mind, thought processes or combinations of gross or subtle material elements are all incorrect. Consciousness is not a product of material combination but is the symptom of the eternal fragmental portion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the jivatma.

Finally, the consciousness of the soul is eternal: (Bhagavad Gita 2.20)
Na jayate mriyate va kadacin nayam bhutva bhavita va na bhuyah
Ajo nityah sasvato yam purano na hanyate hanyamane sarire

“ For the soul there is never birth nor death. Nor, having once been, does he ever cease to be. He is unborn, eternal, ever existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.”

The real dichotomy is that although everything in existence is an expansion of the energies of the Supreme Lord, Sri Krishna, those energies are of different varieties, one of which is considered an internal energy and the other an external energy of the Lord. Both are described in detail by Krishna in the Gita.
Bhumir apo nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca
Ahankara itiyam me bhinna prakrtir astadha (Bhagavad Gita 7.4)

Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego – altogether these eight comprise my separated material energies.

As described by Srila AC Bhaktivedanta Swami in his explanation of this verse, “This material world is a temporary manifestation of one of the energies of the Lord.” The other, superior, internal energy, is described as follows in the next verse.

Apareyam itas tv anyam prakrtim viddhi me param
Jiva- bhutam maha baho yayedam dharyate jagat (Bhagavad Gita 7.5)

“Besides this inferior nature, O mighty armed Arjuna, there is a superior energy of Mine, which are all living entities who are struggling with material nature and are sustaining the universe.”

These verses from the Bhagavad Gita fully explain the nature of consciousness and the dichotomy between the conscious, eternal living entity and the unconscious, temporary material nature.

Answer 2

I believe it is reacting to stimuli.

This seems general because we could be talking about a single cell animal or a very complex one. It could simply be a reflex action or a series of cognitive process.

Answer 3

Life itself

Answer 4

Most fundamental is either the act of being birthed or the act of dying. But even those are far from uniform...

Answer 5

Communication!

Learning how to read body language such as facial expressions as well as verbally expressing ourselves in order to participate in society.

Answer 6

dont understand the question add more details

Answer 7

If you don't breathe, you will fall over -every time-.

Answer 8

Jews, please don't be offended.

"I just came out and got this thing and you're going to cut what?"