Consciousness and ecstasy

Being conscious — an introduction

Nothing tames the consciousness of humanity, for the consciousness of humanity is the thought of God. Victor Hugo

A consciousness of several levels

The field of human consciousness is vast. It encompasses several levels. The first level corresponds to the simple fact of being conscious of living — the spontaneous and unreflective consciousness of being "alive". From this angle, we subscribe to Descartes' cogito and agree with him in affirming: "I think therefore I am".
But this proposition seems to us incomplete and even erroneous depending on the definition given to the word think. We do not in fact need to think — in the sense of reflecting, creating, projecting — in order to "be". Looking and feeling without thinking also forms part of states of consciousness. Contemplating without cerebral agitation, too. These constitute in fact the truest state of consciousness if one considers epoché (the suspension of judgement) as the best approach to truth.

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What is consciousness?

Substance or sentiment?

One has consciousness before, one becomes conscious after. Oscar Wilde

At first glance, the notion of consciousness seems easy to grasp. We are conscious of being conscious, and that should suffice to define consciousness. Yet this notion belongs among the most complex of problems. Its "reality" has long perplexed both scientists and philosophers.

In ordinary life, we have a permanent sensation of being conscious — conscious of entirely obvious things.

I am conscious of being alive. Of being surrounded by objects whose reality I cannot contest. Of seeing this table, this chair, this armchair. Of spending good time with my friends and so on. I am conscious of accomplishing this or that action, of being able to project myself into the future and the past, of feeling desires and sensations and so on.

Ordinary consciousness

Everyday language permanently reinforces...

"Nothing tames the consciousness of humanity, for the consciousness of humanity is the thought of God." — Victor Hugo

2001