The study of consciousness has captured significant attention from scientists across various disciplines, especially at a time when scepticism about the existence of God is on the rise. Getting into this area, I have found three primary reasons that drives this heightened interest on consciousness.
Firstly, the remarkable development in neuroscience, cognitive science and psychology have equipped researchers with unprecedented tools and methodologies for getting into consciousness. For decades, the prevailing understanding has been that consciousness arises from the brain. This belief persists even today, with many in agreement and disagreement. However, after extensive research on brain, a growing concern emerges regarding the direct correlation between brain activity and conscious experience of a person. Technologies like functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI), electroencephalography (EEG), and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) have provided unprecedented insights into brain function and its relationship to consciousness. Despite these advancements, a noticeable gap remains between the intricate electrical processes within the brain and the subjective experience of consciousness. This explanatory gap prompts further investigation into the true nature of consciousness and its connection to neural activity.
The second reason could be advancement of technology, especially in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning, that has led to the creation of computational models and theories about consciousness. Today, machines like ChatGPT can perform tasks that once thought exclusive to the human brain. It can generate numerous poems by Shakespeare, for example, in minutes which was considered as a herculean task for the human brain. However, a crucial distinction remains: machines do not have conscious experiences like humans do. Despite this limitation, these technological breakthroughs provide new opportunities for understanding the complex mechanisms behind consciousness.
The third and the most important reason could be to solve the unsolved existential questions that have fascinated humanity for centuries. One such question is do we really have free will? Are our actions determined solely by biological and environmental factors or do we possess the ability to make genuine choices? This question has profound implications for our understanding of personal responsibility. The other question is can we know anything at all? This inquiry touches upon epistemological concerns and prompts reflection on the boundaries of human cognition. The essence of identity “who am I?” is another fundamental question that captivates consciousness researchers. It is a query that has puzzled philosophers, psychologists and neuroscientists for ages. The question “what is death?”also play a significant role in the study of consciousness. What happens to consciousness when the physical body ceases to function? Is there an afterlife or does consciousness simply cease to exist?
Unlike the “easy problems” of consciousness, which involve explaining cognitive functions such as perception and memory, the hard problem, coined by philosopher David Chalmers, who argued that even if we understand all the physical processes underlying consciousness, we would still be left with the question of why these processes give rise to subjective experiences at all. In essence, the hard problem of consciousness highlights the gap in our understanding of how physical processes in the brain give rise to the rich, qualitative experiences that we have as conscious beings. It challenges traditional scientific approaches and invites to explore consciousness from a more holistic and introspective perspective.
Advaita (non-dual) Vedanta, a philosophical school within Hinduism, offers a comprehensive framework for understanding consciousness and addressing existential questions. Rooted in ancient texts such as the Upanishads, Advaita Vedanta has one clear stand that ultimate reality (Brahman) is non-dual, transcendent and beyond all concepts and limitations. “Atman,” the individual Self or soul, is identical with Brahman, the universal consciousness. According to Advaita Vedanta, the illusion of duality arises due to ignorance (avidya), which obscures the true nature of reality. Through knowledge, one can overcome this ignorance and realize their inherent oneness with Brahman. This illusion is like perceiving water in a mirage. The water appears real due to ignorance. Just as the mirage vanishes upon realizing it is a product of heat and temperature, so too does the illusion of the universe fade when one comprehends the underlying reality.
In Advaita Vedanta, the question of free will is approached from the perspective of the interplay between individual being and the divine will -Ishwara (Brahman with attributes). While individuals appear to have the freedom to make choices, these choices are ultimately guided by the divine cosmic order (dharma) and the workings of karma, the law of cause and effect. Regarding the limits of human knowledge, Advaita Vedanta teaches that ultimate truth transcends intellectual understanding and can only be realized through direct experience of one’s true nature as Brahman. While empirical knowledge and rational inquiry are valued in Advaita Vedanta, they are considered preliminary steps toward the higher knowledge of self-realization. In terms of identity, Advaita Vedanta states that the true self is distinct from the ego or individual personality. Through the process of self-inquiry and discrimination, one can recognize the impermanent nature of the ego and realize the unchanging essence of the Atman as Brahman. Regarding mortality and death, Advaita Vedanta teaches that consciousness is eternal and indestructible, transcending the cycle of birth and death. Death is seen as the shedding of the physical body while the Atman continues its journey, guided by the accumulation of karma from past actions.
Time has come to unite Science and Advaita Vedanta to unlock the mysteries of consciousness. Science is great at studying the physical world through neuroscience and psychology. Advaita Vedanta agrees that understanding the material world is crucial. By combining scientific methods with Advaitic insights, researchers can explore how the brain and consciousness are linked. Advaita Vedanta encourages mindfulness practices to explore consciousness from a first person perspective. These practices complement scientific research by offering first hand insights into subjective experiences. By blending contemplative techniques with scientific methods, we can take a comprehensive approach for studying consciousness, bridging the gap between objective observation and personal experience.
By merging scientific rigor with Advaitic wisdom, researchers can embrace a holistic approach to study consciousness. And once the mystery of consciousness is unlocked, that would be the greatest gift to the humanity and could serve as the long-awaited “Theory of everything”.
