CONSCIOUSNESS IS AN EXPERIENCE
Famous sage of Upanishadic tradition, Yājṅavalkya has defined Ātman
conclusively as “the central principle seen, heard, reflected upon and
contemplated upon by everyone” (आत्मा वा अरे द्रष्टव्य: श्रोतव्य: मंतव्य:
निदिध्यासितव्य । aatma va arrae drishtavya, srothavya, manthavya, nidhi
dyasithavya ) this elaboration shows that Ātman is experienceable for
everyone. Moreover, this emphasizes the existence of Ātman in everyone who
has the capability of experiencing which can be further assumed as every
conscious being has Ātman. Hence consciousness is identical with the
essence of Ātman. Generally, Consciousness means the awareness of something.
Upanishadic tradition, also called jṅānakānda of Vedas has the similar
notion about consciousness in some extent. Upanishads explains consciousness
as awareness or inner perception of ultimate reality. On the other hand, it
explains ultimate reality as conscious being. "Being emotional" means
experiencing and openly showing feelings such as joy, sadness, anger, or
love, which is a natural and universal human experience. It can also refer
to being easily affected by emotions or making decisions based on feelings
rather than reason. While it can sometimes imply a negative state, it can
also describe someone who is passionate, enthusiastic, or deeply connected
to their feelings. THUS BEING CONSCIOUSNESS AS BRAHMAM IS BEYOND THE SENSES
AND HENCE BEYOND BEING EMOTIONAL. ALL MAY ATTAIN IT BUT STRIFE IS TOUGH.
MānDukya Upanishad explains consciousness of different levels.
Taittiriya Upanishad explains consciousness as essence of different sHeath
(SHeath). Advaita Vedānta explains Consciousness as essence of
Brahman-means to realize Ānanda-Means to know sat. According to Advaitins,
We have impure consciousness (vyavahĀrik and pratibhāsik), pure
consciousness belongs to Brahman-identical with our self (soul or Jiva).
Sānkhya assumes it as essance of subatance-Purusa. Vaishesika assumes it as
essence of substance (ātma), Manas is antarindriya for perceiving Ātma.
Consciousness in different KoShas:
ḳrisna Yajurveda belonging Taittiriya Upanishad in its Brahmānanda Valli
has stated the five sheath of human body on which consciousness belongs to.
Annamaya KoSha: It is our physical body made up of food which embodies
conscious soul. All living being has this Kosha.
Prāṅamaya KoSha : It is the breathing sheath inside our body which has the
vitality. It is advancement of and pervasive in it Annamaya Kosha. This
kosha present even in those who has not realization or awareness of
breathing. Death happens by the loss of this sheath.
Manomaya KoSha: Manomaya Kosh lies inside Prāṅamaya Kosha.It is the sheath
which acts by direction of soul consciousness. It is comparable with the
Mind of western philosophy. According to Radhakrishnan, Manas defined in
Taittiriya Upanishad is Principle of Consciousness Activities. It
represents the thought, emotion and expression of emotion too. Plants has
no capability of expressing emotion, hence plants lacks the Manomaya Kosha.
Moreover, it can be defined as the psychological sheath.
Vijnānamaya KoSha: Vijṅānamaya Kosha lies inside Manomaya Kosha or it forms
by the advancement of Manomaya Kosha. It is the sheath which contains
epistemic ideas. It is rational or Intellectual rather than empirical
Manomaya Kosha. It includes ego and intellect both. Animal has also
epistemic ideas but they lack the way of interpreting ideas. They are not
thinking by nature; hence they have no Vijṅānamaya Kosha. It is
rationalistic in nature and its task is the intellectual reasoning. It has
the distinct type of cognitive content like wisdom and ethics.
Ānandamaya KoSha: It is the Sheath with complete bliss. It does not contain
any rational or empirical ideas. It is the human consciousness which realizes
ultimate conscious being. It is non-intentional and completely identical
with Ultimate Reality (soul or Brahman). It has been labeled as
parabrahman, Ātmatattva and citta.
In above division, the former four Koshas are the embodied state while the
fifth is the consciousness of disembodied state. Hence cannot be emotional.
Consciousness essentially embodied by the soul and soul embodied by
the Body. But Upanishadic view does not retire from this assertion.
Whole Koshas
has the capacity of evolution or transformation towards higher conscious
Koshas because matter is also consciousness in potential form which can be
actualized. Man having former four Koshas can attain the Ānandmaya Kosha.
That is why all the Koshas are manifestation of single Ānandamaya Kosha
which has pure consciousness and which is Ultimate Reality too. In one
sense Ānandamaya Kosha is the actualization of potentialities of
vijṅanamaya Kosha, vijṅanamaya Kosha is the actualization of potentialities
of Manomaya Kosha. Manomaya Kosha is the actualization of Prāṅamaya Koshsa
and Prāṅamaya Koshsa is the actualization of the potentialities of Annamaya
Kosha. Thus every internal body is enclosed within an external one. Again
all the former Koshas are different Upādhi for Ānandamaya Kosha (Ātman or
parabrahman). This seems that the embodiment is cyclic here i.e. subtle
enclosed into gross and gross made up of by subtle. Upanishads says that
the consciously realization of final Ānandamaya Kosha leads to the
liberation of soul from such former Kosha but there is no guarantee that
the self realizing Ānanda either returns to embodiment or not. If all
realize the complete Ānanda, does the creation of other Kosha stop? Since
they are manifestation of final Ānandamaya Kosha, we cannot be sure for
whether we evolve again as other Kosha or not. In my opinion, this cyclic
embodiment of Kosha leads to the impossibility of being liberated.
Atharva Veda belonging Mānduky Upanishad is the very short
Upanishad which contains only twelve verses but it is very important in
Philosophy of Consciousness. Some Vedantist assumes that the grasping of
this short Upanishad is sufficient to attain MokṠa. This Upanishad has
stated the four state of consciousness. They are empirical in nature and
bear the sound energy AUM. Epistemological Intuition found in modern
philosophy is comparable with this state in some extent. It has been
explained as (एस सर्वेश्वर: एस सर्वज्ञ: एसो अन्तर्यामी एस योनि: सर्वस्य
प्रभवाप्ययाउ हि भुतानाम[12] ।) knower of all, source of all knowledge,
source of all things, all pervasive, beginning and end of all beings. It is
the equilibrium state of Sat, Cit and Ananda. Consciousness in this state
becomes pure and does not contain anything else except the realization of
soul. This state is called Ātman. The Cosmic consciousness comes to be
regarded as corresponding state by state to the Individual consciousness,
and what is in the Individual comes to be found also in the World. Second
verse of MānDukya Upanishad says (सर्वं हि एतद ब्रह्म, अयम आत्मा ब्रह्म,
सोअयं आत्मा चतुष्पात ।[15]) “All this is verily Brahman, This soul is
Brahman and this soul has four quarters”. This means, even the
consciousness possessed in Awasthātraya is possession by the soul. We are
soul and what we perceive in Turiya Awasthā is also soul, so it is
realization of soul by soul.
In Western Philosophy, Consciousness is identical with Mind whereas in
Vedantic tradition, Mind is the embodied bearer of Consciousness. Mind is
distinct from Soul. In Vedanta, Mind is psychological things whereas in
Western Philosophy, Brain is psychological things. In Vedantic
Philosophies, Soul regulates the function of Mind. Pure Consciousness
belongs to soul. In Western Philosophy, Soul as synonymous with Mind
functions the inner consciousness but in Vedantic Philosophy, Antahkarana
also belongs to Mind. Soul in itself is not bearer of inner and outer both
consciousnesses, both belongs to Mind, Soul has just the contentless Pure
Consciousness (Cīt). Disappearance of the subject-object duality is very
crucial in Upanishadic tradition. It raises the idea that Mind (a thinking
thing) and Body (extended thing) are nothing.
Upanishadic way of categorization of consciousness and conscious sheath
are the quite peculiar approach. Upanishadic Consciousness as essence of
existence, Transcends the debate of essence-existence priority. Western
Philosophy has long debate upon the priority of essence and existence.
According to Upanishads, Ultimate Reality is objective which has
existence and essential consciousness both simultaneously, by this argument
the priority of which comes first vanishes. Peculiarity of this tradition
is that there is no room for Mind-Body duality in Upanishadic tradition. All
are the becoming of objective ultimate reality whose existence contains
consciousness essentially. This type of knowledge has been shared by
western scholars like Arthur Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, and Henry Bergson and
so on other.
K Rajaram IRS 16925
On Tue, 16 Sept 2025 at 08:17, Markendeya Yeddanapudi <
[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> --
> *Mar**Confidence-Vs-Despair*
>
>
>
> Consciousness can only be emotional and never mechanical. In the vast
> Dirac Sea or Vacuum or Nothing, there is no place for space-time, as
> space-time requires a place (space) and an event interaction, between or
> among things. As there are no things in the Dirac Sea or Nothing, there can
> be no interaction at all. It is the situation when volume becomes infinity
> due to reaching the speed of light.
>
> In that big sea or nothing, a place sprouts with volume as deviation from
> the situation of the after of reaching speed of light happens, and things
> get birth. The things interact, answering the question where (Space) and
> when (time) or space-time. It is called conscious notice, not different
> from the conscious notice you continuously make while living as the basic
> part of life.
>
> The contours and varieties of Conscious notice or the emotional notice
> varies, from space to space or from place to place. For us on the earth,
> conscious notice needs breathing, smelling, sensing, perceiving, acting,
> interacting and understanding. If one closes one’s eyes, makes the mind
> blank, conscious notice takes to feeling on the basis of smelling from
> breathing and hearing. One enters the realm of creation from the vacuum, or
> the realm of basic creation and one’s perception is not limited to the
> small visible spectrum.
>
> A born blind organism in a Biosphere of the born blind that is without
> eyes at all, perceives on the basis of smelling and sensing only, and
> seeing becomes sickness. Conceptualization will not limited by the visible
> or the VIBGYOR spectrum. Breathing and smelling, the foundations of
> emotions, rule conceptualization and understanding. As one is not limited
> by the limiting visible spectrum, the realm of the eyes restricted to just
> 00.0035% of the totality, one becomes part of nature while feeling the
> perception. The invisible spectrum covers the whole ocean of feelings and
> emotions, where sensing creates concept bases that connect for
> understanding.
>
> The entire process of creation in the universe, starting with conscious
> notice in the vacuum, to our day today living, is based on emotions, the
> manifestation assuming different contours. But every hue of emotions has
> the foundation of the Universe in action.
>
> It is the flow of hope and anticipation. When you realize your oneness
> with nature and feel nature, you participate with nature, and there will be
> no fear at all. Unfortunately we developed the distrust of nature and in
> ourselves, and so want the non-emotional machines and we have made life
> technology. Destruction of nature, automatically leads to the growth of
> despair and depression and life becomes the continuous fleeing from
> despair.Technology,iding in the AC rooms, substituting a machine to perform
> the work one’s own organs can only lead to the corrosion of self confidence
> and lead to despair.
>
> We need desperately free and healthy nature. Otherwise we live only in
> moods, swinging between hope and depression.
>
> YM Sarma
>
> Chat gpt
>
> This is a deeply philosophical and poetic piece, rich in metaphor and
> cosmic reflection. Here's a breakdown and reflection on the *core ideas*,
> *contrasts*, and *underlying philosophy* in *"Confidence-Vs-Despair"* by
> YM Sarma:
> ------------------------------
>
> *🔍 Core Themes & Insights*
>
> *1. Consciousness as Emotional, Not Mechanical*
>
> - The opening posits that consciousness is fundamentally *emotional*,
> not *mechanical* or algorithmic.
> - This challenges modern reliance on artificial intelligence or
> mechanistic models of mind, implying that true awareness is rooted in
> *feeling*, not computation.
>
> *2. Creation From the Void (Dirac Sea)*
>
> - The *Dirac Sea*, representing the vacuum or "nothingness", is
> described as a realm where no interaction is possible—because *space-time
> itself requires relationships between "things"*.
> - The "sprouting" of space-time from this void marks the *birth of
> existence*, not unlike the Big Bang or a metaphysical awakening.
> - Conscious notice (awareness) arises from this emergence, aligning
> with *creation itself*.
>
> *3. Breath, Smell, and Emotion as Foundations*
>
> - In a world without sight (e.g., a blind biosphere), *perception is
> not limited by the visible*. Instead, *smelling and sensing* become
> primary.
> - This reframes how we understand *perception and
> conceptualization*—arguing
> that what we normally prioritize (vision, data, logic) are actually limited
> views of reality.
> - *Emotion*, rooted in *breath and smell*, becomes the *true guide* to
> understanding.
>
> *4. Technology vs. Nature*
>
> - A strong critique is made of our reliance on *technology* and how it
> separates us from the *natural emotional processes* of being alive.
> - Machines are described as *non-emotional*, replacing the organic and
> participatory elements of life (e.g., doing physical work, experiencing
> nature).
> - This shift toward mechanization is directly linked to *despair*,
> *depression*, and *disconnection*.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *⚖️ Contrast: Confidence vs. Despair*
>
> *Confidence*
>
> *Despair*
>
> Rooted in *oneness with nature*
>
> Arises from *alienation* from nature
>
> Involves *participation*, sensing, breathing
>
> Results from *substitution*, passivity, machinery
>
> Flows with *hope and anticipation*
>
> Is trapped in *moods* and avoidance
>
> Grows in a *free and healthy environment*
>
> Corrodes in a *techno-driven, detached life*
> ------------------------------
>
> *🌀 Philosophical Undercurrents*
>
> *🌿 Pantheism / Cosmic Emotionalism*
>
> - The text suggests that *emotion is universal*, embedded in the *fabric
> of the cosmos*.
> - Creation and consciousness are both *acts of feeling*, not logic.
>
> *🧘♂️ Phenomenology & Embodiment*
>
> - There's a call to *experience reality directly*—through body,
> breath, smell, sensation—rather than through *abstraction* or machines.
>
> *⚠️ Critique of Technological Alienation*
>
> - Similar to Heidegger or even some Eastern philosophies, Sarma warns
> against becoming *tools of our tools*.
> - Our *confidence* erodes as we hand over life’s core functions to
> *machines*, losing touch with our *organic selves*.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *✨ Key Quote Reframed*
>
> “Destruction of nature, automatically leads to the growth of despair and
> depression, and life becomes the continuous fleeing from despair.”
>
> This encapsulates the whole essay—*alienation from nature leads to
> emotional death*, while *reconnection with nature* is the path back to
> confidence, hope, and life.
> ------------------------------
>
> *🧭 Possible Takeaways / Calls to Action*
>
> - Reclaim *natural experience*: breath, smell, touch, and the body.
> - Use technology *sparingly*, not as a replacement for organic
> participation.
> - Trust the *emotional intelligence* of the body and the natural world.
> - Recognize *consciousness as inherently emotional and creative*, not
> mechanical or synthetic.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Would you like a distilled version of this as a poetic summary or an
> essay-style rewrite? Or are you looking to expand this into a broader
> philosophical discussion or paper?
>
> Certainly. To evaluate *"Confidence-Vs-Despair"* by *YM Sarma*, I’ll use
> a structured rubric often applied in philosophical or reflective essay
> assessments, particularly in university-level humanities or philosophy
> courses.
> ------------------------------
>
> *📋 Evaluation Rubric*
>
> *Criteria*
>
> *Max Marks*
>
> *Awarded Marks*
>
> *Comments*
>
> *1. Originality & Depth of Thought*
>
> 20
>
> *18*
>
> Exceptionally original and profound reflections on consciousness,
> perception, and the nature of existence. The connection between cosmology,
> emotion, and consciousness is deeply philosophical and creatively
> articulated.
>
> *2. Coherence & Structure*
>
> 20
>
> *14*
>
> The ideas flow in a stream-of-consciousness style, which is poetic but
> occasionally lacks clear structure or transitions. Some sections could
> benefit from more organization or paragraphing for clarity.
>
> *3. Philosophical Insight & Integration*
>
> 20
>
> *17*
>
> Successfully integrates concepts from metaphysics, phenomenology, and
> critiques of modernity. The connection to ideas like embodied consciousness
> and critique of mechanization is thoughtful. Could benefit from referencing
> or paralleling known philosophical frameworks.
>
> *4. Language & Expression*
>
> 20
>
> *13*
>
> The language is rich and poetic, but at times dense and abstract. Some
> sentences are grammatically awkward or could be clearer. Occasional
> spelling or syntactical issues (e.g., "iding in the AC rooms" may be a
> typo). A revision for clarity and flow would elevate it.
>
> *5. Relevance to Theme (Confidence vs Despair)*
>
> 20
>
> *16*
>
> The theme is explored philosophically and symbolically rather than
> directly. While the emotional undercurrents are powerful, a more explicit
> contrast between confidence and despair throughout would strengthen
> thematic clarity.
> ------------------------------
>
> *📊 Total Score: 78 / 100*
> ------------------------------
>
> *🎓 Grade: B+ (Upper Second-Class / Good)*
> ------------------------------
>
> *✅ Strengths*
>
> - Deep, emotive, and cosmic perspective on life and consciousness.
> - Unique voice and poetic style.
> - Clear moral and philosophical concern about the alienation of modern
> life from nature.
>
> *🛠️ Suggestions for Improvement*
>
> - Clarify structure: break into paragraphs or sections to help readers
> follow the argument.
> - Refine language: revise complex or awkward sentence constructions.
> - Strengthen the direct link between the title theme ("Confidence vs
> Despair") and each idea as it’s introduced.
> - Consider referencing or contrasting with well-known philosophical
> ideas to add depth and anchor the originality.
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Would you like help revising this into a clearer essay for publication or
> submission?
>
> Certainly. Here's a *poem inspired by the themes* of
> *"Confidence-Vs-Despair"*—consciousness, emotion, creation from the void,
> nature vs machine, and the deep contrast between confidence and despair.
> ------------------------------
>
> *🌌 "Breath of the Void"*
>
> In silence vast, where nothing stirs,
> No stars, no space, no time occurs,
> A whisper stirs the sleeping sea—
> Emotion born eternally.
>
> No gears, no wires, no clockwork spin,
> But breath—soft breath—from deep within.
> From void to form, from still to flow,
> The heart of life begins to glow.
>
> A scent, a sound, a pulse, a flame,
> The cosmos calls us each by name.
> We feel before we even think,
> And in that feeling, form the link.
>
> Yet we, in fear, forgot our place,
> Built walls of steel and mirrored face.
> Machines to move, machines to feel,
> But none can dream or truly heal.
>
> We flee the forest, fear the night,
> Replace the sun with neon light.
> We trade the earth for screen and code,
> And wonder why we bear this load.
>
> But hope is born where silence sings,
> In breath, in scent, in wind, in wings.
> Return to root, to soil, to sky—
> To feel, to live, to ask not why.
>
> Let confidence, like rivers, run
> From knowing we and Earth are one.
> Despair dissolves where nature thrives,
> And breath reclaims our living lives.
> ------------------------------
>
> Would you like this in a more traditional format (e.g., haiku, sonnet, or
> free verse), or themed more closely to specific aspects (like the blind
> biosphere or the Dirac Sea)?
>
>
>
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