Awareness vs Consciousness

 “In every realm of consciousness, the light of pure awareness shines, guiding us back to our true selves.”

I have a solid idea, but I am afraid if I could express it well. I hope you can understand my idea.

Awareness of the Self, feeling of “I” within. Consciousness is being conscious of something  — body, mind, higher self, soul, oversoul, etc. Depending on the level of consciousness, life unfolds.

I have observed a clear distinction between awareness and consciousness. While I often use these terms interchangeably, they are actually quite different. I view awareness as the recognition of the number “1”, while consciousness is like the zeros that follow. The feeling of “I” is the core and we can be conscious of anything else only after that. The more zeros there are after the “1”, the greater the value it holds in common terms. However, this signifies that consciousness moved away by that many folds from pure self-awareness and becomes more tangible. 

I am aware of my true self, and consciousness exists within me. For example, when an object passes by, my consciousness extends towards it, merging with the object to experience it. During this period, I have become so wrapped up in thinking of myself as an object that I have forgotten who I truly am. From that perspective, my consciousness may awaken to the realization of my true self or it can venture towards another object, seeking a fresh experience. Throughout this process, awareness of self always remains in the background, but it sees itself as the object over which my consciousness landed. Darkness symbolizes the forgetfulness of our true self and operates from a limited perspective as per the level of consciousness. Light symbolizes the awareness of pure self. 

To illustrate, when one’s consciousness is focused solely on the physical body, it sees itself as that person and it can hinder their ability to perceive anything beyond it. They may remain unaware of their higher self, soul, oversoul, or pure self, and this lack of knowledge persists until their consciousness begins to expand. To give another example, we’re diligently working on a task, but then our consciousness gets diverted to watching YouTube videos or checking Twitter, and this pattern repeats until we realize our distraction and go back to our original work.

Consciousness might have journeyed through various levels, such as from the true self to the oversoul, then to individual souls, and potentially even more levels, before ultimately experiencing life within a human body. Let’s say it journeyed through seven levels. Therefore, human consciousness could be represented as seven zeros after the “1”. This doesn’t mean that consciousness must go through a sequential path of seven levels in the reverse order to reach pure awareness again. In the above example, realizing our distraction immediately got our consciousness back to the original task and, likewise, it has the freedom to realize pure self directly. Alternatively, it can retrace its steps sequentially, or continue experiencing the human body by reincarnating into different environments. Consciousness can even venture into realms of deeper darkness, going further away from the awareness of pure self. The door always remains open for it to return to pure awareness. 

There is always a light shining in whatever dark world we find ourselves in.

Note: I have used consciousness above as an entity. It is not an entity, but the effect is that only. When I am conscious of the body, I am the body itself. Truth is, I am is I am. I am this and that are all the perspectives I am conscious of in those moments.

Part II - Extended Thoughts

Awareness is the inherent sense of self, present in all beings. It serves as the foundation upon which consciousness is built, capable of existing at varying levels. When consciousness is limited to the physical body, individuals perceive themselves as separate entities, relating to others in different ways. This dynamic gives rise to relationships that can range from destructive to harmonious, and everything in between. Love, hate, jealousy, collaboration, competition - all the dramas of life unfold within these relational contexts. 

Every living being possesses consciousness, from plants and animals to birds and humans, and every species in between. Our level of consciousness determines how we engage with these beings. Some see themselves in all, embodying altruism. Others identify solely with their physical form, adopting a self-centered perspective. There are those who align themselves with a specific community, prioritizing its needs above all else. And some find their sense of self within their family, diligently caring for their family members.

For the average person, their identity is tied to their name, religion, nationality, and so on. However, as our consciousness expands, our sense of self broadens. It extends from the individual to the community, from the planet to the galaxies, encompassing the entire universe. In highly evolved individuals, consciousness expands infinitely, and they declare, “I am is I am” or “I am that.” These enlightened beings radiate unconditional love towards all, recognizing every being as a part of themselves. Their intention is to facilitate the evolution of all, transcending dualities and fostering peace and harmony.

The feeling of “I” remains constant, but the level of consciousness varies and colors a particular sense to the self and creates an illusion that we are that form. As consciousness narrows, life becomes more chaotic as everyone sees themselves as separate and competes with one another. This constant struggle can lead to sickness. Conversely, as consciousness broadens, unity among individuals is achieved, leading to collaboration and a more peaceful existence. Take a moment to reflect on your challenges today and consider if your choice to narrow your consciousness is contributing to them. Expanding your consciousness can simplify your life. Remember, it is your choice and your freedom. Free will allows you to make choices, but it does not grant you the ability to change your physical circumstances. However, the physical world is a reflection of what lies within you, effortlessly mirroring your choices.