I find that one of the most puzzling things in the universe is consciousness or to put it another way,the realisation of our own existence.

I know that most people will probably look at their awareness of their inner self as their very soul. All sorts of confusing questions come to mind when we consider our own conscious mind. Why is my consciousness inside of this particular body and not another one? Did it exist before we were born or will it exist after we die? Animals appear to have a rudimentary state of consciousness but it doesnt appear that they are actually aware of their own existence in the same way that we are. (Even though we are animals also)

Any other opinions?

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Another interesting question dude111 :)

I believe that we existed before we were born into this physical world and that we will continue to exist after we leave our physical body. Our consciousness is indeed our spirit/soul and that's why when we do something we know is wrong, deep down we know this and experience guilt

Our lives here are essentially a place to learn and grow. Lifetimes seem long, but especially when people get older*, you, realise that they are very short indeed. Think of it as a one day training course from work! Mistakes can be used for good if we learn by them.

*When we are children, one Christmas to another seems like eternity, but as adults it seems to come round faster and faster each year.

Our spirit/soul enters a particular body because, beforehand, we decided (with complete free will) what we wanted to experience in order to learn and grow. In effect, we choose our parent(s). Some who have experienced neglect, abuse etc would say that they don't believe this as they would never choose someone who would go on to do such things to them, but maybe they wanted to experience these things in order to learn and grow?

Some people are born disabled, but it's possible that they chose this in order to understand what the life of a disabled person is like eg they previously scoffed or discriminated against disabled people, realised that this was wrong and decided to go on a 'training course'. This is a very controversial view as, essentially, it's saying that abused/neglected/disabled people chose the situation that they are in or experienced.

The late Queen Elizabeth II summed it up excellently and much more succinctly than I have. You can see what she said in this very short video:

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/ZiGrCtCQ04I

A very good thoughtful reply mate!

I think we do go on existing.... When my grandpa passed away he came to visit me,I think he wanmted me to know he was ok.......

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

My god what an absolute load of shit. If you actually believe that you need your head looking at.

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

That's wonderful to hear, the salient reason why the spirits of people who have left their earthly bodies come back on visitation seems to be to let people know of the continuous existence of the spirit and to let their loved ones know that they are ok.

All will become clear when it's our turn to return to the higher side of life ❤️

Exactly buddy...... The last thing they want is to be ignored like they arent there :(

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

The universe is impossible even science keeps on finding things that simply does not tally with what they once believed. Not enough energy so they invent dark energy because it just has to be there to fit . Not enough matter so they invent dark matter so it just fits.

Anything is possible. An eternal soul a God no matter how impossible it may seem to you it still might be the case. Or we could just live then die and consciousness just a burden making us suffer knowing all we have in front is death and eternal nothing|

I might not agree with what people think and have my own beliefs but I respect the fact people have a right to their own faith in what ever it is

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

If people "exist" after dying, where do they "exist" and they would also have to function in order to communicate.
If true, what sets humans apart from other creatures in that sense? We're just another creature. Does every ant or house fly that has ever existed, also "exist" after death?
Just gets very silly.

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Life is energy consciousness is that not some form of energy too? Human consciousness appears to function differently. What if creation is true? Life existing itself is already impossible.

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

For me there isn't much difference between let there be light and a big bang. My mother died on the operating table three times during her life and said there was nothing, just blackness but when I hear other people's stories of what they experienced and were then brought back, I feel solace, that she's still here, pain free and content

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Still has to exist somewhere, be self-contained, be indestructible, and be able to function and think. All far too implausible.

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Why does it have to be able and function and think ? can it just not be? you are applying human thought to is thinking it has to be the same or comparable . Matter is pretty much indestructible as it is isnt it? it all just breaks down into something else it does not vanish. Even if something burns there is something left

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Exactly, one of the first things I was taught in physics is that energy can never be destroyed, only changed.

---------- Post added at 13:49 ---------- Previous post was at 13:39 ----------

All very reasonable questions.

Their spirit resides in what has been labelled as the Spirit World, some people prefer the term Heaven, Paradise etc.

They do indeed function in the same way that we do now, but without the constraints of a physical body. We are all actually spirits now, but encased in a physical body.

Yes, all animals that have a spirit/soul go into the world of spirit after leaving their physical body on this physical plane of existence.

Smaller things like ants, fleas etc are said to go there collectively. I've never come across any to my knowledge (only ever had spirit cats and possibly a dog come on visitation), but that doesn't mean that this theory is (or isn't) true. I do tend to believe it though and the words of the hymn 'All Creatures Great and Small' is my reasoning.

---------- Post added at 13:54 ---------- Previous post was at 13:49 ----------

I totally agree with your excellent post as there are far, far more things about our existence and the world around us that we don't know than what we have discovered thus far. Yes, over the years we have come leaps and bounds, but I still think we are only just discovering the tip of the iceberg.

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Thank you mystic mug

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Of course , and I in return have a right to call it as I believe it. Which in this case is yet another festering pile of nonsense

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

There are ways and means.

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Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

In order to communicate. How else could a response to any question be formed?
Molecules break down and can be absorbed again.
When carbon-14 is absorbed by a living thing, it eventually breaks down to become nitrogen.

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Why does anything have to be similar to what we have now? anything is possible

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

Anything is possible, but are the propositions being discussed probable or improbable?

Re: What Is The Nature Of Consciousness?
 

No more of either than life just happening my lucky accident

Indeed.... No one can explain anything about the universe so how can they deny ANYTHING??

Paul: Im sorry for posting such a topic,I didnt know it would get so hot.......