Consciousness in Advaita Vedanta.

By Victor M Fontane

I am the consciousness in all beings, not just one consciousness in one body and mind but the consciousness is common to all bodies and minds, we are one reality and forever one. We are one with all those who are beloved to us but in Advaita Vedanta all those who are not beloved to you, you’re also one with them.

So, mind and body and the universe, they are all appearances in consciousness.

But, in today’s world what is the relationship between consciousness and matter?; Are they the same?; Does one come from the other?; Are they different? Ancient Indian philosophy has different answers:

1. Consciousness comes from matter.

2. Matter comes from consciousness.

3. Neither come from the other, there are parallel realities and exist together.

4. Both are empty, void.

5. The Advaitic options about life and consciousness is that anything you can designate as this, you are not that.

So, life can be designated as this, you are not life and matter can also be designated as this thus you are not matter either. Self and consciousness are beyond anything that can be designated at this. Advaita then says that consciousness alone is the reality in which time and space matter energy appear.

The Upanishads says that the five elements have emerged from consciousness and nothing can be experienced apart from consciousness.