WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS
Exploring the Layers of Awareness and the Journey to Higher Perception
Consciousness, in the view of mystical traditions, is the light of awareness that flows through all existence. It is the unseen presence that gives rise to thought, perception, and experience.
Some describe it as the silent witness behind the mind, while others see it as the bridge between the finite and the infinite.
It moves through different levels—from the personal and conditioned to the universal and divine—yet, in its purest form, it is beyond all limitation, existing as the essence of reality itself.
Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri: The Layers of Consciousness
According to Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri, consciousness exists in different layers. The Limited Conditioned Consciousness is shaped by personal experiences, fears, and desires.
It is the state in which most people operate—seeing life through a narrow lens, reacting based on past conditioning rather than true awareness. This level is bound by identity and attachment, creating the illusion of separation from the whole.
Beyond this is Universal Consciousness, which is the underlying awareness that connects all beings. It is the recognition that there is no true separation—everything flows from a single source.
At the highest level is Divine Consciousness, the eternal truth that exists beyond time and space. It is not something that can be reached but something that has always been present, hidden beneath the veils of the conditioned self.
The spiritual journey is one of gradually dissolving these veils to witness the reality that has never changed.
Silencing the Mind
Shaykh Fadhlalla Haeri teaches that silencing the mind is the key to transcending the limitations of thought and entering a state of pure awareness.
When the mind becomes still, human consciousness touches a realm beyond time, space, and boundaries—where the presence of the Divine can be directly experienced.
By living fully in the present moment, free from distractions of past regrets or future anxieties, one becomes more attuned to this sacred reality.
In this state of presence, life unfolds effortlessly, revealing its innate harmony and perfection.
This inner silence allows the veils of perception to lift, revealing a deeper reality that is ever-present yet hidden by mental noise.
Through this practice, one aligns with the flow of Divine consciousness, awakening to the truth that has always been.
Shaykh Hamdi Ben Aissa: Expanding Awareness
Shaykh Hamdi Ben Aissa describes consciousness as an unfolding awareness of the Divine.
In its ordinary state, consciousness is veiled by distraction, ego, and conditioning. At this level, we experience life as separate individuals, unaware of the deeper reality that sustains us.
But through refinement—through remembrance, stillness, and inner surrender—these veils begin to lift, revealing an ever-expanding perception of truth.
As the heart opens, consciousness shifts from being self-centred to being God-centred.
The more one aligns with this expanded awareness, the more life itself becomes an expression of devotion. In its highest form, consciousness is not merely awareness—it is intimacy with the Divine, a state where every moment becomes a meeting with the Beloved.
Seyyed Hossein Nasr: Consciousness as Divine Light
Seyyed Hossein Nasr sees consciousness as a reflection of Divine Light.
It is not a product of the brain but something far greater, something that precedes and transcends the physical world. The ordinary mind perceives only fragments of reality, limited by material concerns and intellectual reasoning.
But beyond this is a higher level of consciousness—one that perceives the sacredness woven into all things.
True consciousness, in Nasr’s view, is not just knowing—it is a remembering of our origin. The more the soul aligns with divine order, the clearer this light shines within. At its peak, consciousness merges with its source, dissolving all illusions of separation. In this state, one does not simply see reality—one becomes it.
Dr. Adnan al-Adnani: Consciousness as the Fundamental Reality
Dr. Adnan al-Adnani views consciousness as the fundamental reality that permeates all existence, driving and unifying every level from the inanimate to the sentient.
He posits that consciousness is not an emergent property but an essential reality present alongside all forms, serving as the principal reality of every form.
In his work, he emphasizes that both scientific and spiritual quests converge in the search for truth, with consciousness being the absolute certainty of our existence.
True knowledge, in his view, is the direct awareness of this ever-present reality, beyond intellectual constructs.
To awaken to it is to recognize the seamless unity of all things, where the knower, the known, and the knowing become one.
Deepak Chopra: Consciousness as the Field of Infinite Possibilities
Deepak Chopra describes consciousness as the fundamental reality from which everything arises.
He challenges the idea that the brain produces consciousness, instead suggesting that consciousness is the source of the universe itself.
According to him, what we perceive as the physical world is simply consciousness taking different forms. At its core, consciousness is pure potentiality—an infinite field of possibilities where thoughts, experiences, and even the body itself are manifestations of deeper awareness.
The key to expanding consciousness, he teaches, is shifting from an ego-driven perspective to one of stillness and presence, where one can access deeper intelligence, creativity, and healing.
Methods to Silence the Mind
Silencing the mind begins with simple yet profound practices.
Deep, rhythmic breathing helps slow down thoughts and bring awareness to the present moment.
Meditation, especially focusing on a single point—like the breath, a sacred word, or pure silence—gradually stills mental chatter.
Letting go of attachments to passing thoughts, observing them without reacting, allows the mind to settle naturally.
Spending time in nature, engaging in deep contemplation, or surrendering fully to the present also fosters inner quiet.
With patience and sincerity, these practices open the door to higher consciousness, where clarity, peace, and a sense of divine presence become more tangible.
The Connection Between Conscience and Consciousness
Conscience and consciousness are deeply intertwined, as conscience is the inner light that helps us distinguish between right and wrong.
While consciousness gives us awareness of ourselves and the world around us, conscience brings forth the moral dimension of that awareness, shaping our decisions and actions.
From a scientific perspective, conscience is often linked to the brain, as thoughts, experiences, and neural networks play a role in shaping our moral understanding.
However, from a spiritual standpoint, conscience is rooted in the heart, where deep insight and inner wisdom arise.
Sufis believe that the heart is the true seat of awareness, where love and truth blossom.
Therefore, conscience should not be seen as merely a function of the brain, but as a delicate interplay between the heart and mind—a mystery woven into the fabric of human nature.