Are We Our Brains or Our Consciousness?
The human body, including the brain, functions as an organic perceiving mechanism. This intricate mechanism processes and interprets sensations through a series of thought processes. However, at the core of our existence, there is a fundamental question that persists: are we our brains or something beyond?
The Nature of Reality
The brain is an organ, a part of the physical body that enables the experience of the material world. It is erroneous to equate the self with the body or even the mind, as we are the non-physical consciousness that inhabits the body for a temporary life experience.
The body is composed of cells, and every seven years, all its cells are replaced. A person who has lived for seventy years has experienced ten different bodies but retains the same memories and personality. This indicates that the essence of our being is not enshrined in the body but in our consciousness.
The Perception of Reality
Perceptions take the form of five senses and thoughts. These processes operate on an autopilot, without any conscious effort. A set of natural laws governs the operation of the body, and thoughts emerge from a memory bank automatically, creating, sustaining, and eventually annihilating a sense of self along with it.
There is no substantial evidence of a static "self" or a person behind the body's mechanisms. This self, if it exists, is not a static entity enjoying free will or volition. We are, in essence, organic robots, but we are not devoid of consciousness.
The Core of Existence: Consciousness
The light of consciousness is what illuminates our perceived reality. This light is alive, intelligent, self-luminous, and self-evident. It simply knows itself and does not seek external validation. This consciousness is the core of our being or existence, a dimensionless and non-temporal phenomenon.
This consciousness is nameless, formless, universal, and beyond cause or effect. It is the ultimate source of our existence, belonging to no one but inseparable from all beings.
The Role of the Brain and the Body
While the brain plays a crucial role in generating a subjective sense of self, it is not the essence of our being. Nature provides our bodies with the means to experience and remember these perceptions. Most bodies come equipped with a brain, but not all.
The brain's primary function is to generate the subjective experience of "I" and to perceive and remember everything we experience. It is the mechanism through which consciousness manifests in the material world.
Ultimately, while the brain is essential for our conscious existence, it is consciousness itself that gives us our unique essence. Understanding and embracing this consciousness can lead to profound insights into our true nature and the nature of existence.