RE: Can I find higher consciousness within myself as an individual?
I also see great value in the culmination of these perspectives in the space of rational thought. However, I believe that the state of higher consciousness must be excluded from this. As you may agree, we cannot 'think' ourselves into a state of higher consciousness, since I believe it to be a state in which the egoic mind cannot be present.
I have come to think of a non-ego mind as one that doesn't process the senses. To not be bound by earthly senses, almost like a disconnected body. I've experienced that once while using lsd, I thought my physical body seized to exist. From that it was like I was trapped in my mind, however trapped would be a horribly inaccurate way to describe the experience. Once broken from the bonds of my body my mind escaped into a world of one-ness, a wonderful experience of almost existing everywhere, being everything, knowing so much at the same time. I constantly aim for that level of conciousness when I meditate, but I have yet to reach it.
I am, therefore arguing that we cannot use rationality to connect with our environment. Yes, it is obviously a vital part of our interaction with it, but the original connection is achieved in a place of peace, stillness and as you said, unity found among all that is human consciousness. In fact, I expand this consciousness to include that which energises all life forms, including animals and our natural environment.
I find it to be more of a feeling than a logical process. Heightened empathy let's you almost feel as others feel. My house full of plants changed the setting to a calm embrace. They're alive and I know it, I can feel it. The love for a dog, no matter how vicious it may be, comes from a connection deep in the mind; Not a logical deduction but a feeling of life.
I sometimes question if others have had their empathy drop from under use. The 9-5 grind can take its toll; I once felt it, like a piece of my being missing. You can always reconnect what has fallen to a sleeping hum, but its the choice to do so and continuing to work at it that brings it back.
I think we're on the same page in terms of using meditation to connect with that 'one-ness' or higher consciousness. I have only experienced it once. Its occurrence was random and fleeting, as fear rooted me back in my ego once again.
I agree with your thoughts and believe that one of the greatest issues regarding our western society is the fact that it steers us away from this awareness instead of encouraging it. While it is through work that this awareness is achieved, people aren't even aware that they are capable of it or what value it could bring to life, individual and universal.