Higher Consciousness

The School of Life
11 May 201504:33
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe script delves into the concept of 'higher consciousness,' a state transcending self-interest and ego, often achieved through meditation or spiritual practices. It posits that while the term is often shrouded in mystery, it can be rationally defined and is characterized by empathy, impartial judgment, and a universal perspective. The higher consciousness allows for a deeper understanding of others' actions, fostering love and kindness as responses to human suffering. This state, though fleeting, offers profound insights into the human condition and the potential for personal transformation.

Takeaways
  • 🧘 Higher consciousness is a concept often associated with spiritual practices like meditation, chanting, fasting, and pilgrimages.
  • 🌐 It can be challenging for secular individuals to understand the spiritual discussions about higher consciousness due to its vague and abstract nature.
  • 🤔 The idea of higher consciousness can be rationalized and defined in secular terms, separate from its spiritual connotations.
  • 🐢 Lower consciousness is linked to the 'Reptilian Mind' in neuroscience, which is reactive and self-centered, focusing on survival and personal success.
  • 🧠 Higher consciousness is associated with the neocortex, the part of the brain responsible for imagination, empathy, and impartial judgment.
  • 🌟 In moments of higher consciousness, individuals transcend ego and adopt a more universal perspective, reducing self-justification and pride.
  • 💡 This state of mind allows for a deeper understanding of others, seeing their actions as driven by distress rather than evil intent.
  • 🤝 The appropriate response to humanity in higher consciousness is love, as opposed to fear, cynicism, or aggression.
  • 🌍 The world is perceived as a place of suffering and misguided effort, but also of tenderness, beauty, and vulnerability.
  • 💖 Universal sympathy and kindness are fitting responses, and one's own life and possessions become less significant.
  • 🌳 Higher consciousness can lead to a tranquil acceptance of one's absence and a fusion with transient or natural elements.
  • 🕊 These states are fleeting and should not be made permanent, but their insights can be valuable for practical life tasks.
Q & A

  • What is the term 'higher consciousness' often used to describe?

    -The term 'higher consciousness' is used to describe important but hard to reach mental states that are often associated with spiritual experiences, such as those reported by Hindu sages, Christian monks, and Buddhist ascetics.

  • How do spiritual people typically reach higher consciousness according to the script?

    -Spiritual people often reach higher consciousness through practices such as meditation, chanting, fasting, or undertaking pilgrimages.

  • Why might the discussion of higher consciousness by spiritual people be off-putting to some?

    -The discussion of higher consciousness can be off-putting to some because it can sound vague, wishy-washy, touchy-feely, and annoying, lacking in clear, rational terms.

  • What is the script's perspective on the relationship between higher consciousness and spirituality?

    -The script suggests that the idea of higher consciousness is interesting and can be defined in strictly rational and secular terms, separate from its association with spirituality.

  • What does the script describe as the primary focus of 'lower consciousness'?

    -In states of lower consciousness, the focus is mainly on oneself, survival, and narrowly defined success, with a tendency towards self-justification and a lack of introspection.

  • What part of the brain is associated with the 'lower consciousness' as mentioned by neuroscientists?

    -Neuroscientists refer to the lower part of the brain associated with lower consciousness as 'The Reptilian Mind'.

  • How does the script describe the access to the 'higher mind' or neocortex?

    -The script describes the access to the higher mind as moments when there are no immediate threats or demands, allowing individuals to loosen their hold on their egos and adopt a less biased, more universal perspective.

  • What changes in perception and behavior are associated with higher consciousness according to the script?

    -In higher consciousness, individuals perceive others with more imagination, understanding their actions as driven by their own distress rather than evil. The appropriate response to humanity becomes love, and the world is seen as a place of suffering and misguided effort, but also of tenderness and beauty.

  • How does the script suggest we should respond to the insights gained from higher consciousness?

    -The script suggests that we should make the most of the insights from higher consciousness when they arise and apply them when needed, without aspiring to make these states permanent due to the practical demands of life.

  • What is the script's view on the ideal approach to experiencing higher consciousness?

    -The script advocates for being more aware of the advantages of the higher mind and striving to make experiences of higher consciousness less random and less shrouded in unnecessary mystery.

  • Why might higher consciousness not be suitable as a permanent state according to the script?

    -Higher consciousness may not be suitable as a permanent state because it doesn't align well with the many important practical tasks and responsibilities that individuals need to attend to in their daily lives.

Outlines
00:00
🧘‍♂️ Understanding Higher Consciousness

The concept of 'higher consciousness' is explored as a state of mind that transcends the self-centered focus of 'lower consciousness.' It is often associated with spiritual practices like meditation but can also be approached rationally. The text explains that while our daily lives are driven by survival and self-interest, moments of higher consciousness allow access to our neocortex, fostering empathy, imagination, and impartiality. This state is characterized by a release from ego, leading to a more universal perspective and a deeper understanding of others' actions as driven by their own struggles rather than malice. It promotes love and kindness as the appropriate responses to human suffering and misguided efforts, revealing a world of vulnerability and beauty that calls for universal sympathy.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Higher consciousness
Higher consciousness refers to a mental state that transcends the self-centered, ego-driven mindset and allows for a more universal and empathetic perspective. In the video's context, it is achieved through practices like meditation, chanting, fasting, or pilgrimages, and is associated with a shift from the 'Reptilian Mind' to the 'neocortex,' leading to a less biased and more compassionate view of the world and others.
💡Spirituality
Spirituality is the aspect of human life that relates to the search for meaning, purpose, and the experience of something greater than oneself. The script mentions Hindu sages, Christian monks, and Buddhist ascetics, indicating that spirituality often involves practices aimed at reaching higher states of consciousness, which are integral to the video's theme of transcending the mundane and accessing a deeper understanding of existence.
💡Meditation
Meditation is a practice of focusing the mind and achieving a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. In the script, meditation is one of the methods mentioned for reaching higher consciousness, suggesting a disciplined approach to quieting the mind and opening oneself to a more expansive awareness.
💡Reptilian Mind
The 'Reptilian Mind' is a term used by neuroscientists to describe the lower part of the brain associated with instinctual and self-preserving behaviors. The script contrasts this with higher consciousness, illustrating the shift from reactive, self-centered responses to a more thoughtful and empathetic state of mind.
💡Neocortex
The neocortex is the part of the brain responsible for higher-order functions such as imagination, empathy, and impartial judgment. The script describes accessing the neocortex as a way to achieve higher consciousness, allowing individuals to transcend self-interest and engage with the world from a more compassionate and understanding perspective.
💡Ego
Ego refers to the sense of self-importance and the psychological self. The video discusses the process of loosening one's hold on the ego as part of achieving higher consciousness, which involves moving beyond self-centered concerns to a more universal perspective.
💡Impartial judgment
Impartial judgment is the ability to make decisions or assessments without bias or favoritism. The script connects this concept to the neocortex and higher consciousness, suggesting that when one ascends to this state of mind, they are better able to view situations and individuals without personal bias.
💡Empathy
Empathy is the capacity to understand and share the feelings of others. In the context of the video, empathy is a key component of higher consciousness, allowing individuals to perceive others' actions as driven by their own distress rather than evil, fostering a more compassionate response.
💡Universal sympathy
Universal sympathy is the feeling of compassion and understanding for all beings. The script describes this as a fitting response when in a state of higher consciousness, where one perceives the world as full of suffering and misguided effort, and feels a deep connection to all forms of life.
💡Generosity
Generosity is the quality of being willing to give in a selfless way. The video suggests that higher consciousness can lead to a transformation in one's character, including an increase in generosity, as individuals become less focused on their own interests and more open to helping others.
💡Mystery
Mystery in the script refers to the often vague and elusive nature of higher consciousness as discussed by spiritual practitioners. The video aims to demystify this concept, proposing that higher consciousness can be understood and experienced in rational and secular terms, without the need for spiritual or mystical explanations.
Highlights

The term 'higher consciousness' is used to describe important but hard to reach mental states.

Hindu sages, Christian monks, and Buddhist ascetics speak of reaching higher consciousness through meditation and other practices.

Secular people may find discussions of higher consciousness vague and annoying.

Higher consciousness can be defined in rational, secular terms, separate from spirituality.

Most of our lives are spent in states of lower consciousness, focused on self-interest and survival.

Neuroscientists describe the 'Reptilian Mind' as the lower part of the brain driving self-justifying behaviors.

Rare moments of no demands allow access to the higher mind, the neocortex, seat of imagination and empathy.

In higher consciousness, we loosen our egos and adopt a less biased, more universal perspective.

We begin to understand others' actions as driven by their own distress, not evil.

Higher consciousness allows us to see humanity's suffering and misguided efforts.

The appropriate response in higher consciousness is universal sympathy and kindness, not fear or aggression.

In these states, one's own life feels less precious and possessions lose their importance.

Higher consciousness can lead to a tranquil acceptance of not being present in the future.

We may imaginatively connect with nature and transient things, transcending status and possessions.

Higher consciousness is a triumph over the primitive mind, offering a glimpse of different possibilities.

These states are short-lived and should not be made permanent, as they don't align with practical tasks.

We should make the most of higher consciousness moments and apply their insights when needed.

Ideally, we should strive to make higher consciousness experiences less random and mysterious.

Transcripts

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Higher ConsciousnessMeditationNeuroscienceSelf-EgoEmpathyUniversal LoveSpiritual GrowthMindfulnessEgo ReleaseHuman SufferingRational Spirituality