What Is Consciousness?
Exploring Awareness, Divine Essence, and Ultimate Reality through the Lens of the Divine Essence in Motion Framework
Abstract
Consciousness is the foundation of existence, the essence of awareness, life itself, and the ultimate reality. This article explores consciousness as the Divine Essence—both still and dynamic—bridging the profound teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism. Through the Divine Essence in Motion framework, we unravel consciousness not as an abstract concept but as the vital pulse of existence, uniting awareness, manifestation, and transcendence.
Introduction
Consciousness is the ultimate mystery. It is the lens through which all experience arises and the source from which all existence unfolds. Philosophers, scientists, and mystics alike have sought to understand its essence: Is consciousness merely a byproduct of the brain? Or is it the very fabric of reality itself?
From a spiritual perspective, consciousness transcends material explanations, pointing to an infinite, formless awareness that pervades everything. This article delves into consciousness as Divine Essence, exploring its multifaceted nature through the Divine Essence in Motion framework—a synthesis of stillness and dynamic energy (Spanda) rooted in Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism.
Consciousness as Awareness
At its core, consciousness is pure awareness: the unchanging, formless witness of all experiences.
Awareness as the Foundation of Existence
In Advaita Vedanta, awareness (Chit) is synonymous with the Self (Atman). It is that which perceives thoughts, emotions, and sensations without being defined by them. This awareness is not confined to the individual; it is universal, eternal, and unconditioned.
When you observe your thoughts, you recognize that there is something beyond the mind—a silent presence that perceives but is untouched by the content of perception. This presence is the essence of consciousness.
Consciousness Is Not an Object
Unlike objects in the world, which can be observed, consciousness is the observer itself. As the Kena Upanishad aptly states:
“That which cannot be seen but through which all is seen—that is Brahman.”
In the Divine Essence in Motion framework, this awareness is the still, unchanging ground from which all dynamic expressions arise. It is the eternal backdrop to the ceaseless dance of creation and dissolution.
Consciousness as Divine Essence
Consciousness is not only the silent witness but also the living essence of divinity. It is the source and the substance of all that exists.
The Unity of Stillness and Motion
In Kashmir Shaivism, consciousness is not static; it is inherently vibrant and self-aware. Known as Shiva-Shakti, consciousness embodies both stillness (Shiva) and creative pulsation (Shakti). This dynamic interplay—referred to as Spanda—is the heartbeat of the cosmos.
Through the lens of Divine Essence in Motion, consciousness is:
- Stillness: The unmanifest, infinite potential of awareness.
- Motion: The creative expression of that potential as the world of forms and experiences.
This dual aspect reveals that consciousness is not confined to the silent observer but actively participates in the manifestation of reality. In this sense, consciousness is not only divine but also the dynamic essence of divinity itself.
Consciousness as Life Itself
Consciousness is the animating force of life—the very reason anything exists at all.
The Breath of Creation
In spiritual traditions, life is seen as a direct expression of consciousness. It is through consciousness that existence becomes aware of itself, and it is through life that consciousness expresses its boundless creativity.
- In Advaita Vedanta, consciousness is described as Sat-Chit-Ananda—Existence, Awareness, and Bliss. Life is the flow of this awareness into tangible form, a living testament to the infinite potential of the divine.
- In Kashmir Shaivism, the world is not separate from consciousness but a pulsation of its own nature. Life, therefore, is the dance of Shiva-Shakti in perpetual motion.
The Human Experience
Your experience of being alive is proof of consciousness. Every thought, sensation, and feeling arises within the space of awareness. Yet, consciousness is not confined to the body or mind. It is the essence that pervades all forms of life, from the smallest particle to the vast cosmos.
Life, in its deepest sense, is consciousness experiencing itself.
Consciousness as Ultimate Reality
Beyond its role as awareness and life, consciousness is the ground of all being—the ultimate reality from which all phenomena arise.
Advaita Vedanta: Brahman as Consciousness
In Advaita, Brahman is the unchanging, infinite reality, and consciousness is its defining characteristic. The world of forms and names is seen as Maya, an illusion arising from ignorance of Brahman’s true nature.
When the veil of Maya is lifted, one realizes that there is no distinction between the individual self and the universal Self—both are pure consciousness.
Kashmir Shaivism: Consciousness as the Absolute
Kashmir Shaivism offers a complementary perspective, emphasizing that the manifest world is not an illusion but a real, vibrant expression of consciousness. Here, the universe is seen as Chiti-Shakti, the self-aware power of consciousness that creates, sustains, and dissolves reality.
This dynamic understanding aligns perfectly with the Divine Essence in Motion framework, which integrates the stillness of Advaita with the vibrancy of Shaivism.
Divine Essence in Motion: Bridging Awareness and Expression
The Divine Essence in Motion framework reveals consciousness as both the silent ground of awareness and the dynamic force of creation. This dual nature reflects the unity of opposites:
- Stillness and motion.
- Form and formlessness.
- The individual and the universal.
By recognizing this unity, we transcend the limitations of duality and awaken to the truth of our existence: we are both the still awareness that observes life and the dynamic energy that creates it.
Practical Implications
- Meditation: Cultivating awareness through meditation allows us to experience the stillness of consciousness directly.
- Creative Expression: Embracing the vibrancy of life enables us to participate joyfully in the divine play of existence.
- Unity in Diversity: Realizing that all forms and experiences arise from the same essence dissolves the illusion of separation, fostering compassion and interconnectedness.
Conclusion
Consciousness is the essence of existence, the divine reality that underlies all forms and phenomena. Through the Divine Essence in Motion framework, we understand consciousness as both stillness and dynamic pulsation, uniting the teachings of Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism into a coherent vision of ultimate reality.
As we awaken to this truth, we realize that we are not passive observers but active participants in the unfolding of life. Consciousness is not something we possess—it is what we are.
In embracing this realization, we discover that life itself is a sacred dance of awareness and energy, a living testament to the infinite potential of the Divine Essence in Motion.
References
- Dyczkowski, Mark S. G. The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism. SUNY Press, 1987.
- Maharshi, Ramana. Be As You Are: The Teachings of Ramana Maharshi. Penguin, 1985.
- Easwaran, Eknath. The Upanishads. Nilgiri Press, 2007.
- Singh, Jaideva. Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme. Motilal Banarsidass, 1989.
- Wilber, Ken. The Spectrum of Consciousness. Quest Books, 1993.
