What is consciousness?

Question

I don't mean in the textbook sense... what makes us different from animals? Do we maintain a certain level of consciousness even if we're dead? Can we move up or down the scale of consciousness?

Answer 1

All organisms are conscious to some extent if the they have more that one organ. The organs communicate, usually through chemicals (atomically) or neuronic energy. This conversation pertains to sensory information. It is this conversation that gives organisms the sense of awareness of both self and external. It can move from the atomic to cellular to the organ.

Humans have an edge over animals in that we have a sense of time (past, present and future). Animals are aware of the time of day. Man, however plans for the future in the present for what happened in the past .

Answer 2

I think that the ability to be aware of the fact that we are aware is what makes us more or less conscious on a superior level. It is the source of continuing debate just how different we are from other animals. Perhaps the "life force" which we experience is just as present in them as well, to a lesser degree (in most cases). It is obvious from even a cursory observation of human beings that there is a "scale of consciousness" that has quite dramatic variations. (If we compare say a M. K. Gandhi or a Steven Hawkings to lets say a Brittany Spears, Mike Tyson or a Paris Hilton, for example)

Some one asserted that self consciousness ends when we die. I wish to point out that that is nothing more than an ignorant, discredited, nihilistic (anti) religious superstition which has not a single shred of scientific evidence to support it!

Answer 3

Yes, it is the self-awareness that makes us different from animals. And self awareness is possible due to this consciousness. Note that it is just a possibility. All human beings are having the basic level of self awareness, meaning they know the " I "... when they evolve further, they now the ' I ' to be something other than 'my body'... when they are maintaining the 'my body' awareness, they would say for instance " why are you hurting my hands/ legs, "etc... but when this awareness is a bit less, they would say 'why are you hurting me' for the same hurt to legs or hands !
A rare few , curious, venture deeper into this awareness, and happen to 'feel or touch' the consciousness, and then their perception deepens.... beyond even the sense organs. Now a newer dimension opens up, and spirituality dawns.

Answer 4

No we dont' maintain consciousness after we're dead. There is no scale of consciousness. There is conscious mind (which is used for doing day to day things), sub-conscious (which controls the consciouness based on our repetitive drive and thoughts, and habits), super conscious (rarely active for poeple who have skills such as ESP).

Human beings have highly developed brain than any othe creature. So we are different and better than all other species.

Answer 5

consciousness is a mental activity.it is about being aware of the goings on in the environment or it is the ability of the brain to interpret certain things.it is beleived that even when we are dead,our soul/mind remains and the mind is the mental/incorporeal substance i.e consciousness takes place in the mental side of a human which is the mind and since the mind is said to continually exist because its existence is necessary,then even when we are dead,consciousness still takes place.in the aspect of moving up and down the scale of consciousness,it is possible as different people have differnt levels to which they can reason.reasoning is kind of next to consciousness and a perfectly rational being is one whose reasons superceed his bodily desires so there are people who have not yet disciplined themselves to adhere to their rational part rather than to their bodily desires.

Answer 6

To be aware.
We need to be aware of our environment in order to survive and prolong our existence.
Humans have a higher level of consciousness.
We can have a dog - raise it, and understandably help it out of its misery when the time comes.
The dog is less aware of its enviroment - althought its sense of smell and hearing is far better, but it is not physically and mentally manipulate its environment as well as humans.

PC Ouspensky puts the snail to one Dimensional consciousnes, dog to level two and us human beings to level 3 d consciousness. We could do better if we could push our consciouness beyond time and get into the 4d consciousness.

EnJoy

Answer 7

consciousness is energy vibs that permeate through you and is connected with the universal consciousness, the total sum of energy vibs that makes this universe. We do maintain a certail level of subtle consciousness even after death

Answer 8

All things are but the consciousness of God. The human has the capacity to express the allness of Gods consciousness. As the colors of the rainbow are contained within sunlight, so to are we contained within the light of Gods unconditional love. "God dwells within you as you". You have union with God in unconditional love within your heart. This is so NOW, to have full realization of this you must let go of your sense of self separate from God. See syda.org/theguru. Swami chidvilasananda, she has the power of God to baptize in spirit(Give shaktipat). See also www.stephen-knapp.com/articles_to_read. this is an unbiased, factual site giving the roots of many religions.

Answer 9

Self-awareness is not exclusive to humans. After we die, however it ends. People can certainly change their level of consciousness.
Sometimes with training and meditation, but also -temporarily with drugs, etc. No matter what, thinking is to be encouraged at every level.

Answer 10

In contrast with all these obnoxious big answers which are copied from encyclopedias i will just give you the source; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness


however this is what i believe; "Consciousness is the ground of all being," the root cause of all manifestation. [don't remember who said it..lol]