In my last Mantra101 blog post, I delved into the basic accepted definition for consciousness. In this blog post, I will diving into how consciousness was explored and defined by Eastern Philosophy.

1. Hinduism and the Concept of Atman

At the core of Hindu thought lies the idea of the “Atman” or the self. This isn’t the ego-driven self, laden with desires and identities, but a universal consciousness that dwells within every being. Atman represents the true self – pure consciousness. This consciousness is not a function or a byproduct; it is fundamental and eternal. Hindu sages posit that realizing one’s Atman is identical to Brahman, the universal spirit, leading to ultimate enlightenment or moksha. The Upanishads, ancient Hindu texts, often describe the Atman as “subtler than the subtlest and larger than the largest.” The realization that one’s Atman is synonymous with Brahman, the ultimate cosmic principle, is the pinnacle of spiritual awakening in many Hindu traditions. Essentially, the Hinduist would argue that your innermost consciousness is no different from the universal consciousness.

2. Buddhism and the Doctrine of Anatman

Buddhism offers a nuanced divergence from many other Eastern philosophies. The Buddha posited anatman, which means “no-self” or “non-self.” Instead of a permanent, immutable soul, an individual’s existence is seen as a composite of five aggregates (skandhas) – form, sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness. Consciousness, or vinnana, isn’t a constant stream but a series of discrete moments or events that arise and pass away. Each moment of consciousness depends on specific conditions and is deeply interconnected with other phenomena. This transient nature of consciousness reinforces the Buddhist doctrine of impermanence and interconnectedness.

3. Daoism and the Way

Daoism, rooted in ancient Chinese wisdom, revolves around understanding the Dao, often translated as “The Way” or “The Path.” Dao represents the ultimate reality, yet remains indefinable and mysterious. Consciousness, in the Daoist context, isn’t just about individual awareness but about harmonizing one’s inner nature with the external rhythm of the Dao. By doing so, one achieves ‘wu wei,’ often translated as “non-action” or “effortless action.” This doesn’t imply passivity but denotes a state of consciousness where one’s actions are perfectly aligned with the natural order, free from personal desires and societal constructs.

4. Zen Buddhism and the Direct Experience

Zen Buddhism, with its roots in Mahayana Buddhism, emphasizes the direct, intuitive understanding of reality. It sidesteps the intellectual and doctrinal to focus on the experiential. In Zen, consciousness isn’t something to dissect and discuss; it’s something to be lived and experienced directly. The Zen approach often involves meditation (zazen), where the practitioner sits in quiet reflection, observing the movements of the mind. Through this, they aim to experience a non-dualistic state of consciousness, where the observer and the observed merge into one. Zen koans, often puzzling and contradictory, are used as tools to jolt the mind out of logical frameworks, enabling a direct glimpse into the true nature of reality.

5. Yogic Traditions and the Layers of Consciousness

Yoga, while commonly associated with physical postures, at its core, is a philosophical and spiritual discipline. Ancient texts like the “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” outline a comprehensive path to spiritual awakening. Central to this is understanding the layers of consciousness. Beyond the apparent waking state (jagrat), the yogic traditions identify the dream state (swapna), the deep sleep state (sushupti), and the transcendental state (turiya). Each state offers a different facet of consciousness, with turiya representing the pinnacle—where individual awareness merges with universal consciousness, leading to enlightenment.

Eastern philosophies provide a multifaceted exploration of consciousness. From the Atman’s eternal essence, the ever-changing stream of Buddhist consciousness, Dao’s harmonious rhythm, the direct insight of Zen, to Yoga’s layered states of awareness—each offers a unique perspective on the concept of Consciousness, and can help us rethink and refine our own definitions. As global dialogues on consciousness evolve, these ancient teachings continue to offer invaluable insights, enriching our understanding of the mind and our place in the cosmos.