The Nature Of Consciousness

Summary

In this provocative dialogue Christian de Quincey describes the difference between consciousness and energy as “Consciousness knows, energy flows.” Energy and matter can be quantified but consciousness is non-physical and doesn’t exist in space or time. Consciousness knows objects but it is not itself an object. When asked if consciousness creates matter, de Quincey responds by pointing out, “Consciousness participates with potentiality and energy to shape the physical universe. So in that sense, consciousness plays a part in the manifestation, but consciousness alone can only do that if energy already exists.” He explains that the physical world would remain suspended in a tangled mesh of quantum possibilities without consciousness. His definition of consciousness is: “Consciousness is the intrinsic ability of matter and energy to feel and know and be aware and to purposely direct itself. So consciousness is what is directing the flow of energy that we call the evolution of the cosmos and the evolution of our species and everything else.” And rather than subscribing to the notion that we create our own reality, de Quincey thinks it is a more accurate statement to say, “Each of us participates in co-creating a shared reality.” He describes beliefs as “Frozen fragments of consciousness, a snapshot of reality.” He says beliefs are rooted in the past, whereas intention is a creative aspect of consciousness focusing itself on some result, on some manifestation. (hosted Justine Willis Toms)