Difference between revisions of "TFNR - Knowledge and Consciousness"

Revision as of 22:15, 29 March 2025

Let us now reflect on an aspect that holds great significance for me, which concerns fundamental concepts such as: sense, meaning, utility, value, ethics, development, and well-being.

Many question whether the pursuit of Knowledge - through scientific research, philosophy, and many other invaluable disciplines - truly has a sense or utility in a world still fraught with suffering, hunger, wars, and profound inequalities. Many wonder if science is ultimately doing more harm than good to humanity, by accelerating material development, proliferating technology, and so on.

I cannot provide definitive answers to these concerns. What I do think is essential to recognize - and to assert - is that "nothing truly holds value unless it contributes to improving our lives". By "our lives," I mean not just individually, but collectively - humanity as a whole, a network of interconnected individuals, peoples, groups and nations sharing this planet alongside countless other living species, all bound by a shared destiny. A destiny that, at times, radiates light and hope, and at others, is shadowed by despondency, fear, and despair.

For this reason, in affirming the utility, meaning, and value of Knowledge in all its forms, I wish to introduce a concept of fundamental importance to me - a concept upon which individual destiny and well - being hinge, but even more critically, the collective and universal destiny.

Consciousness

This very important concept is what is called Consciousness. A concept that arises in both religious and secular contexts, one with countless facets - evanescent, uncertain, and nuanced - whose meaning often eludes true consensus. I will attempt to briefly outline what I mean by the term "Consciousness" and why, in my opinion, it holds such profound importance in discussions about science and Knowledge.

Consciousness has nothing to do with the mind, with thought, nor with reason or intellect. It is not about being rational, nor is it about being attentive or self-aware.

Consciousness is not something we can create, possess, give or receive, transfer, buy, or sell. It is neither objective nor objectifiable; it is not a commodity or a service.

Consciousness is a state, a condition, or rather, a dynamic process - an awareness, which can fill and illuminate us, or, in its absence, plunge us into total darkness.

It is an experience of being, of life, of connection - a connection between the individual being and everything that constitutes the world: other living beings and the Universe as a whole. It is a non-rational understanding of the Agency of the Primary Source of Reality, of Causality and Variationality, and their manifestations, the dynamics of Life and of Reality in its entirety.

It is what enables us to sense what is good - for ourselves, for our lives, for others, for all living beings, and for the ecosystems in which we are immersed and with which we interact. It is what allows us to recognize our connection to the planet. It helps us understand ourselves as fragments of life, to comprehend the world, to grasp Reality. It guides us to choose and to act for our own well-being and for well-being in a broader sense.

In a context of Consciousness, Knowledge attains immense value. What, in the absence of Consciousness, may represent a grave danger, a risk, and a path toward destruction, is transformed through Consciousness into an infinite wealth - a gateway capable of bringing individuals, peoples, and nations closer to greater well-being. A well-being that is global, vital, vibrant and not merely material.

The true problem facing humanity and this planet is not a lack of Knowledge; it is the lack of Consciousness. A lack of widespread awareness of the value and preciousness of life - of Life - not limited to human life in the strict sense. It is a lack of the sense of interconnection, of the omnipresence and omnipotence of Causality. A lack of awareness of the Source of everything. A lack of a sincere and profound individual and collective search for the Fundamental Nature of Reality.

Every cell within our body instinctively understands the immense value of life, yet our minds often fail to grasp it, lost instead in automatic processes, uncontrollable emotions, and untamed thoughts.

Knowledge demands discipline and responsibility, and this discipline is what we call Consciousness.

Toward a renewed spirituality

All this is not merely physics, nor merely metaphysics, nor simply philosophy...

This is a new vision of Reality, which can serve as the foundation for a renewed spirituality, rooted in consciousness and an understanding of the infinite complexity of Reality. It is a spirituality that acknowledges the immense work expressed by the Source - the Primary Source of Reality - through its incessant formation. It recognizes the profound value of Existence and the Essence / Form of the Universe and all that is part of it.

Throughout history, the concept of the Source of Reality has been deeply examined by philosophers, scientists, and spiritual people, revealing its intricate and multi-faceted nature. Some assert that Reality is rooted in physical matter and can be understood through empirical observation and experimentation, while others argue that Reality is anchored in consciousness or spirituality and cannot be fully grasped through empirical means alone.

From a scientific perspective, Reality is often regarded as the objective, external world that exists independently of human perception or interpretation. This view emphasizes the importance of empirical observation and the scientific method.

Meanwhile, various spiritual, religious or philosophical traditions suggest that the Source of Reality is consciousness or the Divine. These perspectives frequently highlight the role of meditation, self-reflection, and spiritual practice in connecting with this fundamental dimension.

This is not intended to be a "new" path - many such paths have been forged throughout human history. Instead, it is a melting pot, fostering the reconciliation of the scientific and humanistic aspects of our experience. At the same time, it seeks to cultivate a more intimate dimension of direct connection with the Source (however one chooses to define or name it) and with the deeper spiritual realm of consciousness.

This path - a bridge between Knowledge and Consciousness - places the search for the contact with the Source of Reality at the heart of the spiritual exploration. It aspires to promote a positive and harmonious relationship with Life and Nature, fostering true liberation and individual as well as collective well-being.

A renewed spirituality of which we must not be afraid. Not a replacement for existing forms of spirituality - whether natural, religious, scientific, or otherwise - but a complementary perspective. One capable of reconciling science and humanism, transcending their dogmas and limitations, uniting Creation and Evolution, and reaching deeper levels of understanding and an enhanced sense of unity.

"Unity... The Essence of Existence!"

Links to the tables of contents of TFNR Paper

• Go to the contents list of the paper "The Fundamental Nature of Reality"

• Go to Chapter 2 "A first look"