Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of the DNA, presented what he called the “Astonishing Hypothesis”: Human behaviour is merely the sum of a vast assembly of nerve cells and their associated molecules. But, can human consciousness be explained in physical terms?

Those who embrace challenge the validity of Crick’s astonishing hypothesis.

Scientists, however, claim that mind and consciousness are only a pack of neurons, made up of a chain of lifeless molecules and atoms. Therefore, it can be fully explained in terms of “lower level sciences” of chemistry and physics.

(See also: Consciousness, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Including:

• Consciousness - Etymology
• Consciousness - Consciousness and language
• Consciousness - Cognitive neuroscience approaches
• Consciousness - Philosophical approaches
• Consciousness - Phenomenal and access consciousness
• Consciousness - The description and location of phenomenal consciousness
• Consciousness - Access consciousness
• Consciousness - Physical approaches
• Consciousness - Spiritual approaches
• Consciousness - Functions of consciousness
• Consciousness - Tests of consciousness
• Consciousness - Turing Test
• Consciousness - Mirror test
• Consciousness - Cognitive Neuroscience
• Consciousness - Philosophy
• Consciousness - Physical Theories of Consciousness
• Consciousness - People
• Consciousness - Miscellaneous

Read more here: » Consciousness: Encyclopedia - Consciousness

As there is still not a clear definition of consciousness, no empirical tests currently exist to test consciousness as a whole. Some have even argued that empirical tests of consciousness are intrinsically impossible. However, some researchers have devised tests to detect what they feel are certain aspects of consciousness. A test similar to this was used in the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick to see if a person was a robot or an actual human. In the Ridley Scott movie, Blade Runner, which was inspired by that book, it is known as th ...

See also:

Consciousness, Consciousness - Etymology, Consciousness - Consciousness and language, Consciousness - Cognitive neuroscience approaches, Consciousness - Philosophical approaches, Consciousness - Phenomenal and access consciousness, Consciousness - The description and location of phenomenal consciousness, Consciousness - Access consciousness, Consciousness - Physical approaches, Consciousness - Spiritual approaches, Consciousness - Functions of consciousness, Consciousness - Tests of consciousness, Consciousness - Turing Test, Consciousness - Mirror test, Consciousness - Cognitive Neuroscience, Consciousness - Philosophy, Consciousness - Physical Theories of Consciousness, Consciousness - People, Consciousness - Miscellaneous

Read more here: » Consciousness: Encyclopedia II - Consciousness - Tests of consciousness

If the manual of life is encoded in our DNA, where do we look to find the blueprint of consciousness? This was a subject that fascinated Francis Crick, who, along with James Watson, discovered the double-helix structure of DNA 50 years ago.

Engrossed in the mysterious relationship between mind and body, Crick later felt impelled to turn his attention from matter to mind and from biology to philosophy Ñ but he persisted in believing that one day, consciousness could be explained in biological terms, using the tools of neuroscience.

Read more here: » Consciousness: Mapping the Physical and Mental Universes

This is the keynote talk presented by Martyn Carruthers, at the University Forum on Human Consciousness, Hull UK June 1997. This article provide an in-depths perspective on Decision-Making.

Read more here: » Human Consciousness and Decision-Making

Indian philosophy’s focus is to determine the nature of that spirit or self which is the centre of everything, the animating force which makes a person alive, alert and aware.

It is consciousness, variously called the Self, Knower, Seer, Experiencer or the Witness. It knows no distinction of gender, nationality, race or religion. It is the unchanging and all-pervading, transcending the limitations of time and space, birth and death. Ultimately it is the substratum or essence of the entire manifest universe.

(See also: Consciousness, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The Dual Nature Of Our Consciousness

All things that have consciousness may be divided into two categories - those that move and others that cause movement. That which moves is matter, and that which makes the matter move is awareness.

Read more here: » Consciousness: The Dual Nature Of Our Consciousness

We are trying to entertain the idea that the universe is like a great teaching so that we will be less afraid to question the picture of the universe that modern science gives us.

For most of us, the initial obstacle in this effort at skepticism is that science seems to work so well. A physicist I know once likened contemporary people, including himself and his fellow scientists, to a mob of savages so bedazzled by an interloper's tricks and baubles that they immediately make him into a god. It is really no laughing matter, this slavery to what we call the pragmatic criterion. We nee to look at it more closely.

This is part II from the first chapter of Jacob Needlemans book A Sense of The Cosmos

Read more here: » Consciousness: The Universe, Part II – Pragmatism and Desire

What raises us above other known sentient beings is our ability to be conscious of our own consciousness. But what does this mean, scientifically?

“It is now widely accepted that all knowledge, from the beginning of time, is available to each of us, an intelligence that is carried at the cellular, subatomic level. Highly evolved individuals who have touched the hem of the eternal and communed with the infinite through their higher consciousness, made that quantum leap but have been unable to transfer their understanding due to limitations imposed by language. Because language is incomplete and fragmentary, merely registering a stage in the average advance beyond the ape mentality. But all of us do have flashes of insight beyond meanings already stabilized in etymology and grammar.”

Read more here: » Consciousness: What is Consciousness?

Thus, in order to understand the nature of consciousness, I must here and now in this present moment be searching for a better state of consciousness. All definitions, no matter how profound, are secondary. Even the formulations of ancient masters on this subject can be a diversion if I take them in a way that does not support the immediate personal effort to be aware of what is taking place in myself in the present moment.

This is part IV from the first chapter of Jacob Needlemans book A Sense of The Cosmos

Read more here: » What Is Consciousness?: The Universe, Part IV – What Is Consciousness?

 Over the years, I've known a lot of ministers, healers, mediums and other spiritual folk. Just like all people, some were prosperous while others struggled with material lack. One group was not more selfish and the other more "spiritual." In fact, those who were adept at creating what they needed on a physical level also tended to be those who were able to create better health, relationships and general happiness for themselves. They were also better skilled at helping others to create the same in their lives, and they had the energy and resources to help others in this way. The difference between the two groups can be summed up in a now common but powerful term: Prosperity Consciousness.

Read more here: » Prosperity Consciousness: Introduction to Prosperity Consciousness

Our scientific understanding has undermined many conventional approaches to spirituality at the very time we most need to strengthen these capacities. The source of the difficulty may hold the key to the solution. Science is widely accepted because it works. It looks at the world as it is searching for the simplest possible description. Discovery of simple descriptive laws has led to enormous power to control the phenomena the laws describe feeding our technical prowess. It was only possible to do this by divorcing science from feeling and values so one could see what is and not what one wants to see.

Read more here: » Spirituality and Science: The keys to integrating spirituality and science

It is important to remember spiritual teachings regarding prosperity. What we focus on we make real. To develop prosperity consciousness, first remember that prosperity adores a prosperous attitude. Instead of complaining about writing checks for monthly bills, start by giving thanks that you have the funds to cover them.

Read more here: » Prosperity Consciousness: Living the Metaphysical Life - Enhance your Prosperity Consciousness

Ending Poverty Consciousness

Definition number one of "poverty" in the American Heritage Dictionary is: "The state of being poor; lack of the means of providing material needs or comforts." It is further defined as "deficiency in amount; scantiness; unproductiveness; infertility."

By "poverty consciousness," I mean the set of attitudes and beliefs and feelings and values associated with material lack or fear of material lack. Poverty consciousness equals a belief in limitation, and almost always includes fear.

Read more here: » Poverty Consciousness: Ending Poverty Consciousness

Cosmic Consciousness was coined by the Canadian psychologist Richard M. Bucke, in his book “Cosmic Consciousness” 1902. He describes Cosmic Consciousness as a transpersonal mode of consciousness, an awareness of the universal mind and one's unity with it. Cosmic Consciousness prime characteristic is an awareness of the life and order in the universe.

An individual who at attains the state of Cosmic Consciousness is often described as 'Enlightened' and such a person is also said to have a sense of immortality, not of attaining it but of already having it. Burke saw this state of consciousness as the next stage in human evolution, very much as spiritualists have always seen it.

Read more here: » Cosmic Consciousness: What is Cosmic Consciousness?

Western science has operated for centuries on the assumption that we can understand the universe without understanding ourselves. Jacob Needleman observes it as a philosopher and metaphysician, from within. In this first chapter from his book, “A Sense of the Cosmos; The Encounter of Modern Science and Ancient Truth” he presents us with the possibility that the Universe is a living teaching. It is not another "New Age" criticism of science. Needleman has the greatest respect for science and for the search for truth that is the heart and soul of science. In part IV, What Is Consciousness? Needleman's challenging reflections imply that there are states, levels or qualities of consciousness that can be developed within us. What is more, the implication is that this development is the purpose of both the Cosmos and Great Teachings.

This is part I from the first chapter of Jacob Needlemans book A Sense of The Cosmos

Read more here: » Consciousness: The Universe, Part I – The Universe As a Teaching

We have misunderstood these cosmological schemes of the past. What we call "geocentrism" was never meant to establish the earth merely as the spatial center of the great universe, but principally to communicate its place as an intersection of primary and secondary cosmic purposes and forces. The medieval mystic Meister Eckhart likens the earth to a station of cosmic reality through which there passes all the powers of Creation on their way to complete unfolding. "Earth...lies open to every celestial emanation. All the work and waste of heaven is caught midway in the sink of earth."

This is part III from the first chapter of Jacob Needlemans book A Sense of The Cosmos

Read more here: » Consciousness: The Universe, Part III – A Conscious Universe

The starting point of all riches is the development of a prosperity consciousness. You must become a financial success in your thinking long before you achieve it in your reality. Both poverty and riches are the result of a state of mind, and the most important single step you ever take on the road to wealth and financial independence is the decision to change your thinking, to impress into your mind an unshakable belief that you can and will achieve your financial goals. This must happen before anything else happens.

(See also: Prosperity Consciousness, Linda Overstreet, Law of Attraction, Practising Law of Attraction, Law of Attraction for Prosperity, Law of Attraction for Love, Law of Attraction - Obstacles)

Hindu Quotes: Ultimate Consciousness

The ultimate Consciousness

.

(See also: Hinduism Archives, Hindu Quotes, Inspirational Quotes, Love Quotes, Friendship Quotes, Life Quotes)

Read more here: » Hindu Quotes: Ultimate Consciousness

The journal Consciousness and Cognition (ISSN: 1053-8100) provides a forum for a natural-science approach to the issues of consciousness, voluntary control, and self. It features empirical research (in the form of regular articles and short reports) and theoretical articles. Book reviews, integrative theoretical and critical literature reviews, and tutorial reviews are also published. The journal aims to be both scientifically rigorous and open to novel contributions. The journal is edited by Bernard Baars and William Banks. It is an official jou ...

Read more here: » Consciousness and Cognition: Encyclopedia - Consciousness and Cognition