I’d like to introduce you to Susan Blackmore. Professor of parapsychology, memetics, and consciousness at University of Plymouth and a former head of the Oxford University Society for Psychical Research, Blackmore has written the book on consciousness. I mean the literal textbook on consciousness. “Consciousness: An Introduction” published by the Oxford University Press is known as one of the foremost reference materials in the field of consciousness studies. You can pick up a copy of this via Amazon for around $50, but you won’t need one to participate in this course. I will provide articles and excerpts as needed from this, and other related materials. 

Blackmore p. Xiii

“Welcome Perplexity. If you think you have a solution to the problem of consciousness, you haven't understood the problem. If you want to think about consciousness, perplexity is necessary-–mind-boggling, brain-hurting, I can’t bear to think about this problem any longer perplexity…” 

“Certain forms of perplexity – for example, about freedom, knowledge, and the meaning of life – seem to me to embody more insight than any of the supposed solutions to those problems” - Thomas Nagel, American Philosopher. 

For this reason, I can’t promise that you will find answers here. And, I encourage you not to make that your point of study. I can promise that you will find more questions. Studying consciousness, dreams, and human psychology can challenge many of your accepted notions of reality and spirituality.

This field of study will change your life and your experience of it. As we understand it more, we experience it differently. For myself, a foundation of understanding within this field has helped me find purpose in a sea of potential. 

The Science, An Introduction: The science of consciousness breaks down into several fields of study. 

Neuroscience takes a look at the physical brain and measurable electrical signals that are transmitted within it and throughout the nervous system. While we can pinpoint which parts of the brain activate with signals inputted via stimuli, science hasn't been able to explain what correlates in the brain to create a conscious experience.

Philosophy attempts to reason with the quandary of why we experience ‘the self.’ Various philosophers have attempted to resolve the problems associated with mind and body, physical and metaphysical, since the dawn of thought. 

Theology reaches out for an origin and a thread of purpose in the massive universe. An explanation for the biggest of life’s questions: Why are we here? Who are we? What is our purpose? What is the purpose of consciousness?

Now that we know how we will approach some of the deepest questions in the universe, let’s start at the beginning. 

What is Consciousness? 

Blackmore p.xiv

“Part of the problem is that “consciousness” has no generally accepted definition in either science or philosophy despite many attempts to define it. The word is common in everyday language but is used in different ways. For example, “conscious” is often contrasted in “unconscious” and is taken more or less equivalent to “responsive” or “awake.” “Conscious” is used to mean the equivalent of knowing something, or attending to something, as in “She wasn't conscious of the embarrassment she’d caused” or “He wasn’t conscious of the rat creeping quietly under his desk.” In addition, consciousness is used to mean the equivalent of “subjectivity” or personal experience.”

The neuroscientific use of the word equates conscious with being awake or responsive. But, isn’t it true that someone can be responsive, but not conscious of some or all of what’s happening around them? How often are you conscious of everything around you? Have you ever had an experience where you felt conscious but unaware of your surroundings?

Could we equate being conscious with the retention of knowledge? The word “consciousness” comes from the Latin term conscĭentĭa meaning ‘knowledge shared with others.’ Experiential knowledge begins in the womb. We wriggle and explore physical sensations, as we grow we gain spatial awareness, symbolism, and knowledge of the world. Could retention of knowledge give rise to the ‘self’?

Am I conscious now?

Ask yourself this question as many times as you can throughout each day. Allow yourself to reflexively provide a quick answer 'yes' or 'no.' But, then check in with that answer. What does it mean?

Hold onto the question for a little while each time you do this. Look at your consciousness. If you're having difficulty remembering or experiencing resistance, ask yourself why. Set reminders to help you engage with this practice.