Consciousness, Mind, and Intellegence: Some Research and Notes  
Autor: Eloisa Lima | Publicado: 2012-09-02T16:22:00-07:00



Since ancient times, the mystery of intelligence has triggered the curiosity of philosophers and scholars. 
However, during the last few centuries, the influence of reductionism in Western science, and in 
particular the theories of Behaviourism, have fostered a culture based on mechanical determinism and on 
lack of true freedom. This scientific belief states that humans are physical machines ruled by sensory 
information and by genetic structure. The importance of human freedom of choice is reduced to the 
primitive “stimulus-response” pattern of behaviour. The role of sensory information is an underpinning of 
contemporary diversion-oriented and consumer societies, in which “choice” expresses itself largely in 
terms of stimulations and material goods. Arguably the Western viewpoint has given rise to the restricted 
meanings of the words consciousness, mind, and intelligence. According to some scientific views, these 
manifestations are accidental by-products, or epi-phenomena, of matter. Inevitably, the materialistic, 
reductionist, approach has produced a mechanistic society, which, like a machine, functions only until its 
parts break down. A computer is a computer and will never have a soul! 

 

On the contrary, ancient traditions regard humans as spiritual beings who have constant interaction with 
their Divine Cosmic Source. The human being, as archetype, was assumed to be directly in touch with 
Infinite Reality. The life goal of the manifested human being was to achieve a direct relationship with his 
or her true Eternal Being. Similar beliefs were common to ancient India, Egypt, China, and to Western 
mysticism. 



 

The ancient concepts of consciousness, mind, and intelligence refer to the very Essence of the infinite and 
eternal Divine Cosmic Mind. The notion of the Essence of the “eternal” and “infinite” Cosmic Mind 
transcends the theory of a simple physical “big bang” but does not necessarily contradict the physical 
sequence of manifestations at the beginning of this universe. The human attributes of intelligence, 
consciousness, and mind are worldly aspects of cosmic powers. 

 

The holistic concept regards life as movement, creation and destruction; and again, creation and 
destruction unending, an infinite and eternal wheel. Life is giving and receiving with supreme 
benevolence and joy. Existence, consciousness, and joy: these are forever and ever, given and received, 
according to deeply rooted human traditions. 

• Many ancient human cultures declare that the superior goal of the human being is to 
elevate and purify his or her vibrations to gain full contact with the subtle vibrations of our 
“Home.” 




If we train our brains correctly, at the same time that we nurture our physical body, we become able to 
express concepts that are of a non-physical nature—more subtle and abstract. Concepts are not gross 
physical objects! We know that we expand infinitely our human consciousness when we project these 
sublime concepts into eternity. According to various ancient traditions such as Mysticism, Yoga, and 
Alchemy, the goal of evolution on our planet is to transmute the manifested gross vibrations into subtle 
ones. They teach that humans are intrinsically Divine Energy manifested on the terrestrial plane with a 
precise task: to act as channels for the sublimation of vibrations. 

 

Brief Survey of Modern Definitions 

In order to explore and contrast the modern versus ancient meaning of concepts of mind, several modern 
dictionaries have been consulted. The definitions of the word consciousness as provided in these sources 
are similar: 

• Awareness of surroundings—the state of being awake and aware of what is going on around 
oneself 




 

• One’s mind, one’s thoughts 




 

• Shared feelings and beliefs; the set of opinions, beliefs of a group 




 

• Awareness of particular issue—for example, health consciousness. 




The word consciousness derives from the Latin: cum (together with) and scire (to know). This means: 
“To know with,” in the sense of “to know-together with.” The original meaning of the word involves a 
subject and an object. However, the definitions provided in modern dictionaries typically overlook the 
possibility of “knowing together” with a non-physical (perhaps spiritual) essence, or one that transcends 
space and time. 

In the Western dictionaries, the word mind has multiple meanings that are sometimes confusing. Various 
definitions associate mind with intellect, thought, perception, emotion, will, and imagination. A classical 
Latin expression is: Mens sana in corpore sano. In this sense the word mens relates to the way of 
thinking. For example, if your thinking is correct, your body will be healthy—and conversely, if you 



indulge in fear and depression, your body will be unhealthy. This is true, but again it relates only to 
worldly personal emotions. The important point is that the word mind refers only to something related to 
the mechanical aspect of the functional brain. It is the output of a machine and ignores the very important 
and more general concept of mind. 

The dictionaries say that intelligence is the ability to learn or understand or to deal with new or trying 
situations; the act of understanding; the skilled use of reason. In Latin, the word intelligo comes from 
inter and ligo, meaning “I bind together,” “I tie together.” Intelligence is the ability not only to capture the 
elements of a situation, but also to act in appropriate ways. Here again, in order to manifest intelligence 
we need a subject and an object, which is fine in the visible world, but these definitions do not recognize 
the possibility of a transcendent intelligence that does not relate to any physical object. 

In general, dictionaries refer to the awareness of particular issues related to worldly aspects of the use of 
human intelligence, mental capacity, and concrete attention/opinions in daily life. Western thinking 
currently regards consciousness as “relational-consciousness.” The field of “thinking” is inevitably 
limited to a “subject-object” or “observer-observed” or “me—not me” dualistic relationship. The 
possibility of a transcendent use of these words and concepts is not taken into account. This is precisely 
the important point on which this study is based—that much of Western culture has lost the relationship 
with the transcendent meaning that ancient cultures attributed to the words consciousness, mind, and 
intelligence. 

CONSCIOUSNESS, MIND, AND INTELLIGENCE IN ANCIENT TRADITIONS 

Some research of ancient traditions will help us achieve a deeper understanding of the broad meanings 
that these three words traditionally expressed. 

 The Tradition of Vedanta 

(The Upanishads as interpreted by Sri Aurobindo and presented by Judith Tyberg, Ph.D.1) 

First: The Absolute: In Vedanta we find the classic expression: 

SAT CHIT ANANDA, which translates as: 

• SAT:Essence, Existence, Reality. 


• CHIT:Conceptive Knowledge/Executive Force. “Chit,” consciousness; a self aware force of 
existence. From verb-root “chit” = to think, to be aware. The divine counterpart of lower 
mind. “Chit-Shakti,” consciousness-force; the divine power of active consciousness and 
formative activity. From the verb-root: “shak” = to be able. 


• ANANDA:Love, Joy, Perfection. “Ananda” is the secret source and support of all existence; 
it is ecstasy and beatitude, from the verb-root “nand” = to rejoice. 




SAT CHIT ANANDA is the Divine in humans and the universe, and is also the fountain-source of all the 
lower manifested life. 

The Upanishads divide the human being (as archetype) into Atman, the Divine Self of All, its five 
Purushas (spirits), and their five Koshas (sheets). 

• The Atman becomes the material consciousness of the physical Purusha (sheet built of food). 






• The Atman becomes the vital and nervous consciousness of the Purusha (sheet of life force). 


• The Atman becomes the mental consciousness of the Purusha (sheet built of mind). 


• The Atman becomes the Super-mental or Truth-Conscious Purusha (sheet built of 
discrimination, or Wisdom). 


• The Atman becomes the Blissful Purusha (sheet of infinite beatitude). 




Above these five sheets and their consciousnesses are: 

* The Atman, in a state of infinite divine self-awareness and infinite all-effective Will, exists in 
the sheet built of CHIT, or Divine Consciousness, and becomes the Absolute Consciousness. 

* The Atman, in its pure divine state, exists in the sheet built of SAT and becomes Pure Divine. 

Within the manifested “human” (called Jivatman), the Divine Self (Atman) expresses Itself in three 
“bodies”: The Physical Body, the Astral (or Subtle Body), and the Causal Body (or Bliss sheet). 

During human life there are four different states of consciousness: 

* The waking state: the condition of being awake. 

* The sleeping/dreaming state: the condition of consciousness which the inner intelligence 
experiences during sleep; a state of perceiving subtle things. 

* The deep-sleeping state: a state of unconsciousness for the human ego, but a conscious state for 
the soul and higher intelligence. 

* The fourth state is Turiya: the pure, divine-spiritual conscious self-aware at-one-ment, called 
Samadhi. In Turiya-state, the Causal Body may be perceived as Bindu, or central “point.” 

Sri Aurobindo interprets the Upanishads, saying that Brahman is the Absolute Divine, the ONE. Atman is 
the Highest Self, one with Brahman. Jivatman is one of the Divine Many and dependent on the ONE; the 
Atman is the ONE (human archetype) supporting the Many. 

The Chakras 

The Chakras, or “Wheels of Energy,” are seven psychological centres in the Subtle (Astral) Body. These 
are considered as centres of “mind” of the Jivatman (or Soul Personality): 

Sahasrara chakra: the higher consciousness centre, that which centralizes the three “minds”— spiritual, 
higher, and intuitive.and acts as a receiving station for the intuition and “over-mind.” This centre 
“links” the brain with greater mind-planes above. (This is the final goal of the “seeker.” It corresponds to 
Samadhi, called Turiya-state in other traditions). 

• Ajna chakra: the centre of will or inner mind and dynamic thought, in the middle of the forehead. 


• Visuddhi chakra: the centre of expressive, outgoing mind, at the throat centre. 


• Anahata chakra: the heart-centre, the emotion-centre. 


• Manipura chakra: the psychological centre at the navel—the dynamic vital centre commanding 
the larger life forces, passions, and desires. 






• Svadhishthana chakra: the centre in the abdomen below the navel commanding the smaller vital 
movements of greed, lust, and the senses. 


• Muladhara chakra: at the bottom of the spine—the sex-centre and subconscious centre. 




Concluding this review of Vedanta, as interpreted by Sri Aurobindo, it is clear that Brahman, is the ONE 
manifesting in different aspects. The Atman is the Universal Soul covering itself with seven “sheets” and 
manifesting “the human being” as archetype. 

It is only at the level of the Astral Body, intimately connected with the Physical Body, that the Jivatman, 
one of the Divine Many, manifests as Soul Personality. The Subtle Body expresses itself through the 
function of the chakras, as lower chakras or as higher chakras, depending on the degree of evolution, self-
awareness, and influence of karma. The Jivatman has independent will, emotions, expression, and Life 
Force for which he or she is responsible. His or her goal is to circulate the Energies and open the 
superior Chakra linking the vibrations of brain with the Spiritual Universal Mind (Samadhi). If the 
Jivatman does not merge the Earthly energies with the Cosmic during one lifetime, reincarnation will 
continue. 

• Therefore, for the ancient tradition of Vedanta, the holistic concepts of consciousness, mind, 
and intelligence are essential aspects of Human Divinity. 




The Philosophies of Northern India (Kashmir) 

The TRIKA philosophy, including the Spanda philosophy, that flourished in Northern India and Kashmir 
during the early part of the second millennium (1100-1300) of the current era, as interpreted by Sri Swami 
Muktananda.2 

Paraasamvit is the Supreme Principle whose nature is Consciousness. 

“The Self is Consciousness, and in truth there is nothing other than that conscious Light, which is the 
Ultimate Reality. This world is the play of that Principle, the Universal Consciousness.”3 

“Paraasamvit Himself, by contracting according to His own will, has brought about the effects of the three 
impurities:anava mala, mayiya mala, and karma mala.”4 

The malas are the impurities that determine “ignorance.” They are: 

• anava mala -- the belief of being “separated” from the Supreme Principle; 


• mayiya mala -- the belief of being “imperfect, powerless”; and 


• karma mala -- the belief of being the doer of actions, “selfishness, egoism.” 




All the manifestation is nothing but a group of powers emanating from Paraasamvit, called Paraashakti. 

“It is not possible to recognize the Supreme Principle through the senses. The Supreme Light can be 
recognized only through the purified willpower. When one contemplates the Supreme Principle, one 
perceives that all the activities of the entire world occur because of the pulsation and play of Paraashakti. 
By inwardly contemplating his or her identity with the Supreme Principle, a Siddha (advanced seeker) 
neither rejects, nor hates the activities of the outer world. Instead he or she participates in them fully.”5 



Because of the three different gunas, or “qualities”.satva (purity), raja (activity), or tamas (inertia).in 
each human being, the paths used to reach that One Self are different. So, the techniques of concentration 
and meditation may be gradually adjusted to suit the needs of different individuals, according to his or her 
predominant “guna.” For this there is the need of a teacher (Acharya, or Guru), who is the guide on the 
evolutionary path of each seeker. 

The goal of Siddha Yoga is to get in touch with the Divine Mind by resting in peace in the state of 
consciousness known as Turiya, which is equivalent to the expression, activating the Sahasrara chakra, 
or the state of Samadhi. 

• As for Vedanta, also for the philosophy of Siddha Yoga, the holistic concepts of 
consciousness, mind, and intelligence are transcendent aspects of the Divine Human Soul. 




Ancient Egypt 

(As interpreted by Georg Brecklinghaus in his book and website.6 7) 

“The source and function of art in Ancient Egypt were essentially religious. Art was mainly a magic tool. 
Sculptures of the Pharaohs and divinities in temples preserved the spiritual power for people. The 
Egyptian word for sculptor was ‘one who gives life.’ ”8 “Sculptures of the god of artists and of creation in 
general, Ptah, are frequently shown standing on a pedestal which depicts the hieroglyph of the goddess of 
cosmic and earthly order, called Maat.”9 

The author continues by saying, “The basis of art was Maat, the personification of cosmic and earthly 
order. To accomplish this order in spiritual issues, in politics, and in daily life was the most important 
moral rule for the Egyptians; and the outstanding part of the cosmic order in the Egyptian consciousness 
was the principle of balance.”10 (Italics are mine.) 

Brecklinghaus further states that, “The value and significance of balance may be found in all areas and 
levels of Egyptian life. Therefore the image of a human being in art also had to be in congruence with the 
cosmic principle of balance. For the Egyptians it was not important to show individual characteristics of a 
person, but to meet the essence of the human being. And this essence included the balanced shape of the 
human body. In Ancient Egyptian language the word for ‘essence’ was the same as that for ‘shape.’”11 

The evolutionary process was seen as the unfolding of a spiritual human self. 

From these considerations, as stated by Georg Brecklinghaus and derived from several years of study in 
Egypt, we can conclude that also for the ancient Egyptians, the total identification with Cosmic Order and 
Balance was the goal of the evolved human being. This was attained with a special training and mental 
development. 

• Therefore, also for the Egyptians, the identification with Cosmic Order is the expression of 
the Divine Human Soul. 




The Chinese Approach to Human Life as Awareness and Problem Solving 

(Translation and interpretation of Taoist classics by Thomas Cleary.12) 



When we look to prehistoric China, we suddenly jump into the universe of numbers, of science, and of 
rational thinking. The two prehistoric, legendary giants of Chinese culture are Fu Hsi (ca. 2953 BCE) and 
the Yellow Emperor (ca. 2698 BCE). 

Fu Hsi is the “inventor” of the calendar, of the binomial code and of stringed musical instruments. He 
recognized the role of constancy and change in nature and applied them to the affairs of society, in effect 
creating one of history’s first management systems. 

The Yellow Emperor developed the earliest form of written Chinese and compiled the first Chinese 
medical guide, which is still in use today. 

The metaphysical aspect of the Chinese philosophy was developed by Lao Tzu (sixth century BCE) in the 
verses of the Tao Te Ching. The Tao is an evolving force that operates throughout the universe. The TAO 
is ONE, but has two aspects, one is non-manifest; the other is manifest and is “the mother of the thousand 
things,” acting by means of two complementary forces called Yin and Yang. The task of the “evolved 
individual” is to follow the Tao, as it manifests in daily life. 

The topic of consciousness was implicitly relevant as the constant awareness that humans must have to be 
able to adjust to the changes of Tao. By means of the practice of stillness and equanimity, one reaches the 
stage of “non-doing,” which is pure intuition and intimate relationship with Tao. This is exactly the same 
as what is meant by the state of consciousness named Turiya in Indian philosophy. 

• Therefore, also for the Taoists, human consciousness and intuition help foster an intimate, 
transcendent, relationship with Tao. 




Western: The Tradition of the Tree of Life in Esoteric Qabalah and Tarot 

(Interpreted by Paul Foster Case.13 14 15 16) 

The Absolute 

Before manifestation are the Three Veils of the Absolute: 

AIN, the First Veil 

AIN SOPH, the Second Veil 

AIN SOPH AUR, the Third Veil 

AIN: The First veil 

AIN: the composing letters are “aleph” = 1, “yod” = 10, and “nun” = 50. 

Total = 61= ANI = I AM, the only and true I AM, beyond all limitations. 

Aleph = Pure Spirit at the beginning of a cycle of manifestation, still un-manifested, pure potentiality. 
Also called Black Aleph, “no-thing,” not limited by number of form, Living Mind, “Creative” power. 



Yod = “Formative” power of Spirit, Logos, Sound, first letter of Yehi = to be, and first letter of Yehovah 
(God), and of Yekhidah (the Indivisible Point), “Intelligent Will to Good.” 

Nun = renewal, reproduction. 

The un-manifested potentiality of: Creation, Formation, and Reproduction are Infinite and Eternal. 

AIN SOPH: the second veil 

To the AIN is now added the word SOPH. The composing letters of SOPH are: 

Samek = 60, a noun derived from a verb meaning “close-support.” This suggests that the Supporting 
Power in not separated, but closely related to the potentialities of Creation. 

Vav = 6, the above suggestion is reinforced by the word Vav, that means “connection.” 

Peh = 80, the literal meaning is “the mouth of man,” the Verb, the Logos, the first Vibration (the Holy 
Spirit in Christianity), AUM, OM (Spanda in Northern India). 

The sum of these letters adds up to 146. By subtracting the numerical value of the second veil from the 
first veil, we have: 146 – 61 = 85. The resulting number 85 corresponds to the word afad. The meaning of 
this is as follow: the no-thing establishes afad (85), an apparent limitation inside itself in which to 
expresses its own potentiality. More specifically, the form of this limitation is that of a “cup.” The 
spelling for the word “cup” is gobiya. This word has also a numerical value of 85. 

Therefore, the “cup” is the creative model in the Universal Mind (the “vase,” the “Holy Grail”). 

AIN SOPH AUR: the third veil 

The general meaning of this veil is Light Unlimited. 

There is a repetition of Aleph, as in the first veil, suggesting that the universe is Vital-Breath, Conscious-
Life, Mental-Vibration, Universal-Mind which is concentrated in the “Head.” This Energy fills up all 
space “Nequaquam Vacuum,” there is no-where emptiness. Associated with the Symbol of the Sun. Fluid 
Light. All manifestation is a consequence of a mental process in the Universal Mind. 

This “Head” is the Crown, Kether, the first Sephiroth. In it is Yekhidah, the centre of the double Vortex 
(Rashith Ha Galgalim) (equivalent to the Bindu in Indian philosophy), the Indivisible POINT where 
manifestation starts. 

The Tree of Life is a detailed analysis of the aspects of the manifested ideal HUMAN. The whole Tree of 
Life consists of the thirty-two paths of Wisdom. 

The main goal of the study of the Tree of Life is to understand oneself and life. This learning is aimed at 
finding the so called “return-path.” It requires profound study, dedication, concentration, and finally the 
state of absorption that is not different from the Turiya state, or of Samadhi, or the activation of the 
Sahasrara chakra, or “no doing” of Taoism. 



• Therefore, also in the practice of the Tree of Life, the goal is to develop a transcendent 
consciousness that fosters the awareness of Human Divinity. 




INSIGHTS FROM MODERN SCIENCE 

As stated earlier, Western culture followed the path of reductionism, as opposed to holism. However, 
during the last century a fundamental revolution occurred in the world of physics and is now spreading 
into other branches of science and the general culture. The power of this revolution is well expressed by 
the words of one of its greatest participants, Richard P. Feynman: 

“Our imagination is stretched to the utmost, not as in fiction, to imagine things which are not really there, 
but just to comprehend those things which are there.” 17 

What happened? The mechanical, dogmatic, “clock” model, of humans and of nature could not be 
supported any longer. The more our Western sciences probed to discover the “Reality in itself,” the more 
surprises and contradictions arose. Not only E = mc2, (Energy is equal to Mass at the speed of light 
squared), as Einstein stated (and practical uses of nuclear energy have demonstrated), but also the finding 
that everything is connected to everything else—undercutting the common notion of reductionistic 
separateness! Therefore, the primary promise of Western science, to discover “The Reality in itself,” 
failed, and laboratory science has become a probabilistic study of possible interactions, based on 
mathematical equations. Finally, this last illusion also had to be given up, as it was proven that the mental 
intention of the researcher influences the outcome of the test. Abstract mathematics and string-theory are 
perhaps the last frontiers between physics and metaphysics, but the academic world of science still does 
not admit a spiritual dimension to humans and to the universe. 

Science states that the universe is an information-processing device, and recent findings suggest that it is 
more than a mechanical information device. Intelligence and consciousness are the rulers of the 
information process at a cosmic level. So is human intelligence at the worldly level. “As above, so below” 
is the ancient dictum of pre-historic Alchemy! 

According to Ken Wilber,18 several physicists acknowledged in their writings a personal spiritual 
dimension, but they refused to involve mysticism with their mathematical work. As Eddington put it: “We 
should suspect an intention to reduce God to a system of differential equations….”19 

Nevertheless, some substantial progress has been made on strictly scientific ground by establishing that 
everything is interconnected, that there are no separate entities such as observer and phenomenon 
observed, as they interact and influence each other. But we are still far away from admitting that a 
spiritual link is connecting “consciously” everything with everything else! 

In another recent development, science now admits that intelligence is intrinsic in the structure of matter. 
The studies reported by Jeffrey Satinover on amoebas and paramecia show intelligent behavior in very 
primitive living organisms.20 Satinover reports that it was found by biologists that “…even a primitive 
single-celled organism exhibits an extraordinary computational complexity.”21 

Amoebas are unicellular, millions of years old organisms that still reproduce and survive in our day. They 
have no nervous system, and they do not have a brain. Therefore, it is an interesting subject of study for 
biological scientists to examine how they react in order to stay alive in laboratory conditions. The 
expression “computational capability,” used by Satinover in his report of these studies, denotes that these 
unicellular organisms respond to situations in the best way favorable to their survival. For example, using 



their cilia (hair-like appendices), they decide whether they should “…eat, fight, flee or reproduce, and to 
generate the synchronous motions needed to engage in all four actions.”22 

The fundamental aspect of this study is that inside these cilia are located special building blocks of 
protein molecules called tubulin, which are arranged in hollow structures called microtubules. In 1980 
Stuart Hameroff, at the University of Arizona was the first to suggest that microtubules show 
computational capabilities, as reported by Satinover.23 

This same type of protein molecule, tubulin, is found in the human nervous system. Satinover dedicates 
several pages in the Appendix B of his book to review the research related to the protein tubulin as the 
key to understand the intracellular, self-organized, intelligent, computational capabilities “…a highly 
specialized kind of microtubules is required in neurons for them to establish new connections.”24 These 
human microtubules containing blocks of tubulin, function as signal transmitters. “The microtubules 
network therefore adapt to the demands of the brain as a whole, with neuronal plasticity as 
intermediary.”25 

The important point is that the research shows that Intelligence is intrinsic in the structure of matter at the 
very early stages of evolution (such as protein molecules in the primordial amoeba and paramecium) 
and extends its function to the very core of the human brain (the most evolved biological structure). 

• So, the new trend in Western science is holistic, as it recognizes that all is related. It 
discovered intelligent aspects in early stages of evolution. This suggests that intelligence is 
intrinsic in nature, and is not a product of matter. 


• This first encouraging step has been taken toward the transcendence of materialism. 




This new holistic trend is consistent with the teachings of several ancient traditions – for example, as 
expressed by the Rishis of India in the Isa Upanishad from the Yajur Veda (ca. 1200-1500 BCE), 
according to which this universe that we know, and all the others that modern cosmological science 
considers possible, are “Perfect as they Flow from That Eternal Source!”26 

DISCUSSION 

The following points are consistent with the traditions of ancient cultures: 

• Humans can directly contact the unified field of nature’s intelligence. The trained brain settles 
down to more and more silent levels of thought and eventually, it becomes able to contact the 
unified field of natural law, a field of pure silence—a field of peace. 


• It is a field of pure silence, but not of unconscious silence, on the contrary, a field of fully 
conscious, intelligent, alert, peaceful, and total silence. 


• Consciousness, intelligence and mind are not “epi-phenomena” of matter as the concept of a 
mechanic universe suggests. On the contrary, consciousness, intelligence, and mind are the 
Cosmic Essence of the universe. All ancient human cultures declare that the superior goal of the 
human being is to elevate and purify her or his vibrations to gain full contact with the subtle 
vibrations of our “home.” 


• “IAM who IAM” exists before the universe exists! IAM, pure existence, non-relational 
existence! IAM clear and vibrant cosmic self-consciousness! 


• Once the real “point of interface” has been reached, in deep meditation, without-an-object, the 
concept of “otherness” is completely erased. 


• There is no “other,” everywhere IAM IS, the infinite, eternal, powerful, existential, and unique 
IAM. The point of transcendental consciousness does not involve any thinking. Instead, it 






includes expanding one’s true intuitive Life into the real power of ever-existing cosmic 
consciousness. 




By contrast, Western thinking currently regards consciousness as relational-consciousness. The field of 
“thinking” is inevitably limited to a subject-object or observer-observed dualistic relationship. 

Integrating the three aspects of consciousness, mind, and intelligence, into the single word consciousness, 
we can say: 

“Consciousness with-an-object” is the awareness that we have during our lifetime on Earth, useful for 
survival: 

• The outside world, involving our environment, personal conditions, and actions. 


• The inside world, as physiological conditions (hunger, thirst, pain). 


• The emotional world, that can be inside us (love, resentment), or outside us (wars, ecological 
disasters, fires, etc.). 


• The mental world, as study, and creativity of objects and expressions. 


• The world of dreams, as we experience during sleep. 


• The intuitive world, as we experience in special occasions during relationships. Pre-cognition, or 
other more subtle types of consciousness with an object. 




Furthermore, consciousness with an object has an important function for physical survival. We could not 
be alive and active without it. Thinking, alertness, and making decisions are very useful for surviving on 
this planet. We, and all living things, must be constantly alert to detect the “dangerous object.” The main 
task of the terrestrial ego is to maintain the integrity of the terrestrial body, of all, humans, plants, and 
animals. Indeed, life evolved in the wild, where the condition of “eat or be eaten” was a permanent 
reality. By voluntarily rejecting the physiological alarm system imprinted in our senses, we are trying to 
achieve something completely unnatural for a terrestrial being. 

“Consciousness without-an-object” can be associated with a rare state of perfection in which the 
terrestrial ties have been momentarily released—a state of rest, bliss, and perfection, and a transcendent 
realization of a true spiritual life in which beauty and goodness are the only Divine Realities. According 
to several traditions, once one reaches this state, he or she has no further need for reincarnation. 

The subconscious alarm system can hardly be suppressed. As a consequence, our brain refuses to shut 
down. Even in the deepest sleep, our brain controls our survival. For this reason, the “interface point,” the 
state of stillness and peace, is so difficult to reach! While the opposite, the agitation of fear, is so common 
and subconsciously justified. 

Meditation is a useful technique for controlling the unnecessary agitation of the electrical potential. But 
the basic survival control cannot be extinguished for long. 

Various ancient and modern spiritual paths teach that only the development of the will to love, more than 
the will to live, can permit the freedom from terrestrial fears. One can infer that this is the hidden meaning 
of the phrase “To be reborn.” We are truly reborn in love, and trust the moment we reach the “interface 
point,” called Turiya-consciousness in some traditions. 

For these reasons, fear can be regarded as only a terrestrial condition. It is not a cosmic state. The human 
subconscious is constantly fearful here, on Earth. Only here are there potential dangers to our terrestrial 
manifestation. According to various traditions, the immortal soul is never touched by earthly