The Various Levels of Consciousness

Western philosophers, psychologists, and physiologists have tried to examine and formulate the nature of consciousness from different view points. As a result, we have a wide range of opinions about the origin and function of consciousness. Interestingly, most of these theories oppose each other.

The points of discord are mainly on the definitions like: Consciousness is a mental phenomenon intimately related to our brain and nervous system; it has no independent existence since birth, growth and waking depend up to several factors like the sense organs, external stimuli, and the body's physiological functions; it is a sort of guiding light for the biological organism; it is essential for purposive behavior etc.,

Contemporary thinkers seem to be more interested in how consciousness originates and functions than in what consciousness is. It is difficult for them to look upon consciousness as an entity independent of the object that one is conscious of. We are always conscious of something - a flying bird, a wall, a sound, a touch, an odor. According to many Western thinkers, objectless consciousness is an absurdity. We should not forget one important point: When we study objective consciousness outside ourselves, we actually do not perceive consciousness as such, but the phenomena associated with consciousness.

When we see a man showing his fist in anger, or a woman smiling in happiness, or an insect crawling in search of food, we are observing purposive phenomena. From these phenomena we infer that the man, the woman, and the insect are conscious beings. We never come into direct contact with their consciousness. Direct perception is possible only with regard to our own consciousness. To our selves, consciousness is self-revealed. It is appropriate then, that in the study of consciousness an important place is given to introspection.

An objective study of purposive behavior can never help us understand the nature of consciousness. It is probably not necessary for science to delve into the nature of consciousness by introspection. Science can remain satisfied with observing the phenomena of consciousness objectively by external observation. But Western psychological science should not be dogmatic in asserting that the domain of consciousness extends thus for and no farther.

In fact, the sphere of consciousness is infinitely vast, and it can be studied on different levels. When we watch a thought or an emotion within ourselves, the process has to be accompanied by consciousness. Though the true nature of Consciousness has to be grasped through our own intuition, it does not mean that each and every person will acquire such knowledge. It has to be developed by years of patience and discipline.