In the world of philosophical and scientific inquiry, few topics captivate the human imagination and spark as much controversy as the nature of consciousness. It’s a subject that has divided thinkers for centuries. One of the most notable voices in contemporary times arguing for the illusionary nature of consciousness was the Late Daniel Dennett, who recently passed away on April 19, 2024. Dennett, an ultra-materialist and ultra-Darwinian, was a prominent figure in the scientific community, known for his bold assertions about the mind. In his influential book *Consciousness Explained* (1991), he compared consciousness to the user interface of a computer, coining the term “user illusion” to describe it. But was he right?
Dennett’s perspective, shared by many modern scientists, holds that consciousness is essentially overrated and misunderstood. He argues that the contents of our awareness bear the same relation to our brains as the icons on the screen of a computer do to its underlying circuitry and software. However, there are dissenting voices, particularly from those who draw on the ancient wisdom of Vedic texts. One such dissenting perspective comes from the Gitas (Read THE 7 GITAS THAT PIONEERED COUNSELING), ancient Indian texts that offer a profound understanding of the mind, consciousness, and the self.
The Gitas distinguish between the brain, mind, and consciousness in a manner that modern science often fails to recognize. Drawing an analogy to a mobile phone, the tangible components represent the brain, the operating system and apps represent the mind, and the user of the phone represents consciousness.
Let’s delve deeper into this analogy. When you use a mobile phone to send messages, you think or say that you are sending the messages. However, messages can also be sent automatically by the mobile device if it is programmed or has some bug in it. Does this mean that you sent the message? Of course not. This simple analogy reflects the independent functioning capacity of the mind. The greatest efficacy of the mobile device is realized when you take charge of it and use your intellect, which is akin to the role of consciousness in the human experience.
Dennett’s argument, however, seems to be based on a confusion between mind and consciousness. He never learned to differentiate between the two. Unfortunately, even those who claim to follow the Vedas can be found making the same mistake, as they often confuse consciousness with the soul. This confusion is where much of the debate lies. In the Vedic tradition, consciousness, referred to as Atmana in Vedic Sanskrit, is that which is beyond the mind. While modern science struggles to understand the mind and often confuses it with the brain, the fact that the Gitas provide significant insight into these concepts makes them a critical subject for study.
One of the key points of contention is the distinction between consciousness and the soul. The soul is a semantic concept, considered a part of the body that goes to heaven or hell after death. However, consciousness is your true self, that which remains the same in you when your body and mind change throughout your lifetime. Understanding this distinction is crucial to unravelling the mystery of consciousness.
The disrepute of the Gitas is not due to rational or modern science but rather to the misinterpretation by cult gurus who have reduced them to religious texts, despite the fact that none of the sages of the Gitas ever referred to themselves as God. It is crucial to move beyond these misconceptions to gain a deeper understanding of the wisdom contained within the Gitas.
Efforts such as those made by the Vedic Management Center through Yogic Counseling hold promise for bringing this ancient wisdom into the mainstream. By bridging the gap between ancient philosophy and modern science, a more profound understanding of consciousness and the mind can be achieved. Dennett’s ideas may have sparked debate, but by combining scientific inquiry with ancient Vedic wisdom, we may find a more comprehensive understanding of the nature of consciousness. As we move forward, it’s important to keep an open mind and draw from the richness of both contemporary science and ancient wisdom.
