Are You a Fleeting Moment of Awareness or a Permanent Presence ?

in #philosophy7 years ago

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Consciousness

Can anyone remember a beginning? , the moment at which you came to be conscious ?

No! No one remembers the moment at which they became conscious. How do we know that we were ever anything but conscious?

We measure consciousness by monitoring electrical impulses we can detect by applying various sensing apparatus to human physiology, having decreed that consciousness necessarily produces physiological traces.

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While people are 'conscious' as we understand and are taught the concept, evidence is presented in the body. When people are 'unconscious', we cannot monitor, nor do they normally remember anything happening around them during that time. But there are many reports of people experiencing a myriad of phenomena while 'unconscious'

We are not able to determine on the basis of the evidence available, whether people actually cease to be aware, whether mind is still active, whether mind is a function of our physiology or independent of it. The normal lack of memory and of physiological evidence is by no means conclusive.

The fact that an individual has no access to any of the five senses due to some problem with the function of the brain is no proof that the individual is unaware of existence.

The paranormal experiences reported from every corner of human existence over thousands of years certainly suggest that mind is independent of body and gives credibility to the concept of spirit.

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When our beings, as we know them here on earth, become conscious, we are unaware.
An interesting sign may be perceived in that fact. An indication that there actually is no beginning, that we did not begin as humans, in this particular 'phase' of existence but actually took residence in the body we each posses.

Science admits it has nothing substantial in terms of an explanation for consciousness and every time some new claim to the contrary comes along, the leaders in the field reiterate their observations of over-zealous reporting by reporters and scientists alike.

One thing is clear though.

Amid the plethora of disciplines designed to enhance our experience of consciousness throughout eternity, those who reject all evidence for eternal consciousness, with a consequential lack of effort designed to develop our ability to enhance our experience, are almost certain to fail in that progression.

As those who cease their efforts to whatever end will almost inevitably cease progress in that regard, so a denial of what may well be the essence of self will stifle progress or even eliminate opportunities permanently.

Consciousness is the most profound aspect of reality and we are blessed with it and a self awareness seemingly afforded to no other creature on our planet.

A profound appreciation of the nature of this fact has motivated individuals to exceptional achievement, contribution, knowledge, wealth and joy.

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What are we doing with our consciousness ?
What would we like to do with it ?
What are we going to do with it ?

Is there any question of greater import ?

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conscious awareness creates a much more fun life

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It will be interesting to see what happens when we develop technology that can track, analyze, and record different wavelengths of light and energy. Alongside that, the development of artificial intelligence in terms of understanding how to recreate the human experience, will also greatly play into our understanding of consciousness.

Thanks for the great read @graviton! Would love to hear your thoughts about my latest video: How To RAPIDLY Control Your Emotional State [Part 1]

Great piece. Consciousness is something very special. If you like this topic, you may like a piece by Oliver Burkeman. The piece: Why can’t the world’s greatest minds solve the mystery of consciousness?. Go Team South Africa! Where in this beautiful place are you living?

Great piece of intelligent writing which I thoroughly enjoyed thankyou. From my perspective, since the spiritual realm contacted me, I know that we are pure consciousness/energy. Energy cannot be destroyed, it can only transform and our essence, consciousness, lives on once the physical body is gone. I am new here and have happily upvoted and followed you. I invite you to pass by my page. Meanwhile, I wish you joy xox

We are not able to determine on the basis of the evidence available, whether people actually cease to be aware, whether mind is still active, whether mind is a function of our physiology or independent of it.

I wouldn't say this is really the case. We are constantly seeing evidence of how consciousness is limited and affected by the physiological. That's why simple substance like drugs and alcohol can have a very strong effect on our moods and about minds. Another great examples are physical injuries to the brain that show significant changes in personality and in the case of lobotomies, pretty much full destruction of personality. So it's absolutely unfair to put the two option on equal footing because one is in fact supported by evidence while the other one has very little going for it and is mainly a cultural think connected to indoctrination and so on.

On top of this, we can see and examine the physical processes that lead to consciousness and while there is a lot to learn on that front, the knowledge is constantly expanding. And while doing so, the idea of immortal consciousness seems less and less likely. In fact, there is no mechanism suggested that would allow it, so it might actually be not only unlikely, but impossible.

I would say that most of the assertions in your post about consciousness and spirit are basically wishful thinking in the face of the horrifying idea that our consciousnesses stop existing when are bodies stop functioning. Unfortunately, it's quite likely that this is actually the case.

while the question in the title is interesting, i do disagree with the premise stated in the first paragraph. a person can remember the moment they first became conscious, or at least consciously aware of their decisions.

While there are many different stages to consciousness and different levels of self awareness, you can measure consciousness by the internal fruit in someones mind, made evident by their words and actions.

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