consciousness意识

In The Early Sessions Book 1, Seth offers a multidimensional and detailed exposition of the concept of "consciousness." Its core points and distinctive aspects are as follows:

1. All things possess consciousness and the denial of the "inanimate": Seth clearly states that every fragment in the universe, whether tangible or intangible, possesses its own consciousness, and that no so-called "inanimate" state exists at all; even rocks and pebbles are alive ^[1][2]. All fragments of consciousness experience pain and pleasure intensely according to their degree of differentiation ^[1].

2. The universality of self-consciousness and its non-human exclusivity: Self-consciousness is not unique to human beings. It existed at the first physical manifestation of matter, and there is no essential difference among different types of self-consciousness ^[3]. For example, a tree is conscious of itself as a tree, and a dog knows it is not a cat ^[3]; even the cells within the human body possess individuality, self-consciousness, and the ability to make decisions ^[4].

3. The origin of human consciousness and entity consciousness: Human consciousness did not appear suddenly, but began with the formation of multicellular groupings within specific complex field patterns, and the "concept of humanity" existed as early as in fish ^[5]. Human consciousness involves entity consciousness, and entity consciousness was established at the first physical manifestation of matter, including the construction of the earth itself ^[6].

4. Consciousness as a "barrier" of time: Seth proposes a distinctive definition, namely that consciousness itself is basically a "barrier," and anything possessing consciousness will experience time to some degree ^[7]. Self-consciousness constitutes a larger barrier, and therefore its sense of time is also stronger ^[8].

5. Plant consciousness and the use of the inner senses: The consciousness of plants, such as trees, resembles that of a subject in a deep hypnotic state: although not actively mobile, it is highly aware of its surroundings ^[9][1]. Trees can perceive minute vibrations, humidity, radioactivity, and the presence of human beings through the inner senses ^[10]. Seth points out that the ideal state of consciousness is one that can use both the inner senses and the outer senses simultaneously with complete proficiency ^[10].

6. The hierarchical structure and operation of consciousness: The "intense self-conscious self" oriented toward inner reality is responsible for drawing in vitality, while the "conscious self" (camouflage consciousness) manipulates these materials for physical construction, with the subconscious serving as the link between the two ^[11]. Under certain circumstances, a tired or blocked consciousness can sometimes produce good psychic effects ^[12].

7. The continuation and future evolution of consciousness: After physical death, consciousness continues and passes through a disoriented stage of gradual withdrawal and arrival ^[13]. In the future, consciousness on earth will expand, and its range will become broad enough to focus clearly, without strain, upon all fragmented personality images and reincarnational fragments ^[14].

In The Early Sessions Book 2, Seth offers a deep and systematic exposition of the concept of "consciousness." He points out that consciousness is the basic element of the universe and the force behind all existence. The following are the book's core statements and distinctive aspects concerning the concept of consciousness:

1. Consciousness precedes and creates matter: Seth emphasizes that consciousness is always primary; it creates matter rather than evolving from it. Chemical substances or purely physical neural structures can never by themselves produce consciousness or life ^[1]. The physical universe and everything within it are the result of consciousness; consciousness not only created the physical universe but is also continuously creating it ^[2]. Matter is actually the instantaneous, simultaneous expression assumed by consciousness when it projects into the physical field, and it has no permanence in itself ^[3].

2. The multidimensionality of consciousness and the psychic gestalt: Seth proposes that everything that exists contains some degree of consciousness, cohesive knowledge, and even self-consciousness ^[4]. Atoms, molecules, and smaller particles each possess their own independent consciousness ^[5]. When they combine into cells, these individual consciousnesses do not disappear, but converge through a "psychic gestalt," forming a new, more powerful, and more capable "cellular consciousness" ^[6]. This creation makes the whole greater than the sum of its parts, producing an "extra value" ^[7]. Human self-consciousness and the subconscious are precisely the gestalt results formed by the highly cooperative convergence of the individual and general consciousnesses of atoms, molecules, and cells ^[8].

3. Independent of space and time, expanding through "value fulfillment": Consciousness does not occupy space and is not limited by physical time ^[9]. Seth points out that the expansion of consciousness has nothing to do with the expansion of physical space, but is an expansion of a completely free psychological reality, namely an expansion in terms of "value fulfillment" and psychological experience ^[10]. Moreover, consciousness exists long before birth and does not end after death; so-called birth and death are only the metamorphic process by which consciousness constructs and transfers itself between different dimensions or planes ^[11].

4. Psychological structures and primary/secondary constructions: Seth clarifies that "form" is a characteristic of consciousness, not of matter ^[12]. Before physical construction, consciousness first shapes "psychological structures" possessing mass and depth in psychological dimensions that cannot be perceived by the physical eye ^[13]. Physical structures are essentially symbols and projections of these psychological structures ^[14]. Furthermore, the constructions of consciousness are divided into "primary construction" and "secondary construction." Primary construction is the physical replica that consciousness shapes for itself, such as the body, in order to operate in the physical world, but consciousness is never completely imprisoned by it ^[15]; secondary construction is the construction created by consciousness based on impressions of other consciousnesses obtained through channels such as telepathy ^[16].

5. The fluidity of consciousness and the limitations of the outer senses: Consciousness possesses unlimited fluidity ^[17]. The human outer senses are in a sense actually "inhibitors"; they force consciousness into a narrow focus and limit the practical and imaginative range that consciousness could otherwise attain ^[18]. Seth points out that by freeing itself from fear of the limited self, consciousness can even leave the body without any physical action, using atoms and molecules as stepping stones for movement, and reassemble the body at the other end ^[19]. In summary, at this stage of the book, Seth portrays consciousness as an active, multidimensional creative force transcending the limits of space and time, which continuously projects and experiences itself on the physical plane through psychic gestalts and psychological structures.

In The Early Sessions Book 3, Seth offers a deep and multidimensional exposition of the concept of "consciousness," defining it as action, focus, and the dynamic presentation of energy.

I. The essence of consciousness: a dimension of action and focus Seth points out that consciousness is not an independently existing entity, but "a dimension of action" ^[1][2]. Specifically, "consciousness is action perceiving itself" ^[3], and "action acting upon itself becomes consciousness" ^[4]. At the same time, consciousness is also defined as a "state of focus"; it is the direction in which the self gazes at any given time, and this direction of gaze is not itself the self ^[5][6]. Because action contains unlimited possibilities of focus, the direction and dimension of conscious focus are also constantly changing and open ^[6][7].

II. The emergence of consciousness: creative dilemma and imbalance Seth clarifies that the emergence of consciousness and existence does not arise from exquisite balance, but from "lack of balance," which is a rich creative source ^[8]. Specifically, "consciousness of self" is the product of the second dilemma that evolved from the first dilemma (inner vitality attempting to materialize completely but being unable to do so fully), namely the exquisite imbalance and creative by-product arising from the tension between "identity constantly attempting to maintain stability" and "the inherent impetus for change within action" ^[1][2]. This "consciousness of self," directly connected with action, differs from the "ego consciousness" produced by the third dilemma ^[2].

III. The structure of consciousness: psychological enclosures and capsule comprehension Any type of consciousness, whether a complex psychic gestalt such as a human being or a simple gestalt such as a cell or molecule, operates within and forms a "psychological enclosure" around itself ^[9]. The psychological enclosure is the deepest foundation of all consciousness; it provides a "psychological duration" in which the constantly incoming energy can be shaped and transformed ^[9]. The dimensions of the enclosure are elastic, depending on the specific ability of a given consciousness to receive, withstand, and utilize energy ^[9]. Within these enclosures exists "capsule comprehension," which is an attribute of pure energy itself and is never diminished or simplified even when energy is divided or individualized ^[10][9].

IV. The relationship between consciousness, matter, and reality Seth emphasizes that "reality implies consciousness"; anything constructed in any field acquires reality and thereby also acquires consciousness ^[11][12]. The physical universe itself is born within consciousness ^[13]. Inner nature expresses its consciousness through the matter it forms, beginning with the inherent, more general consciousness of atoms, and as atomic combinations become more complex, accelerated consciousness emerges ^[13]. The characteristic perceptual patterns of consciousness determine its physical structure, rather than physical structure determining consciousness ^[3][14]. Furthermore, consciousness is universal; even atoms and molecules possess consciousness to some degree, and "all consciousness dreams" ^[15].

V. The dynamic operation of consciousness and humanity's limited cognition Consciousness, as "a gestalt of action's perceptual patterns" ^[16][17], has boundaries that are not arbitrary or clearly demarcated, but completely open ^[7]. Because perceptual patterns are themselves action, consciousness changes at every instant ^[17]. Seth also points out the dialectical relationship between the contraction and expansion of consciousness: attempting to contract consciousness by focusing on tiny, restricted objects actually leads to the expansion of consciousness; while attempting to communicate through expansion leads to its inward compression. Both can achieve the purpose of communicating with inner reality ^[10]. Finally, Seth criticizes humanity's traditional conception of consciousness as "fearful and restrictive," dependent upon ignorance and barriers that separate the parts of the self; true value fulfillment opens the multiple eyes of the self, enabling consciousness to expand and combine with other selves into gestalts, and this expansion never leads to the diminution of consciousness or the violation of other selves ^[4].