Elusive Consciousness

Author(s): Narendra Bhandari, Surendrasingh Pokharana, Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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scientific experiments are ultimately done by the human consciousness
5. CONSCIOUSNESS AND ITS EVOLUTION SHOULD BE A
FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENT OF ANY NEW PARADIGM OF TOTAL SYSTEMS APPROACH TO DEAL WITH THE MODERN PROBLEMS:
As order seems to be the most critical factor in the process of development and also order in the brain is most critical which will influence all other type of orders, Also since knowledge is another crucial concept associated with the brain or consciousness, it is equally important to understand the concept of knowledge associated with brain and consciousness along with the order in relation with knowledge and consciousness. The concept of consciousness is described in biology, psychology, neurobiology and quantum mechanics also. In addition, several experimental studies have been carried out to recognize various states of consciousness like sleeping, waking and dreaming stages. A fourth state of consciousness is well established now (Meditation ). Many more such studies are required in this direction as Indian yogis and rishies talk of several higher stages of consciousness.
Philosophically, several Indian schools of thought also talk of consciousness and its evolution. They basically assume that knowledge is structured in the consciousness. Most of the Indian philosophies believe that actual knowledge is structured in the consciousness. Thus for example in Jainism, a pure soul has infinite knowledge, infinite intuition, infinite bliss and infinite power. Although perfect soul has other characteristics but the knowledge has been regarded as the chief characteristic of soul. It is stated in shastras that although from the empirical point of view there is a difference between soul and knowledge yet from the transcendental point of view it is sufficient to say that soul is knower and nothing else. So essentially, there is no difference between the knower and his knowledge. It is further argued that this infinite knowledge gets restricted due to the attachment of the soul with material particles, known as karmas. These karmas are attached with the soul from an infinite past. They can be slowly removed through spiritual practices, which may take several births. A state of highest orderliness is defined as a pure soul, towards which, everyone has to evolve. The path of evolution of soul in Jainism is described through fourteen stages, through which one has to pass through before getting liberalized, that is becoming a pure soul from an impure soul by eliminating all material particles known as karmas. It may be noted that this concept is compatible with GST (where definite goals are defined). Here the goal is to get a moksha that is to acquire a pure soul.