Unbound-3

 

Consciousness

Nicholas Humphrey, a renowned psychologist and philosopher, has made significant contributions to understanding the evolution of consciousness. He is best known for his theory that consciousness evolved primarily because it plays a crucial role in social interactions and survival, rather than merely being a byproduct of cognitive complexity. Here’s an overview of some key ideas from Humphrey’s work on the evolution of consciousness:

​Consciousness as a Social Tool: Humphrey posits that consciousness evolved to help humans (and possibly other animals) navigate complex social environments. By being aware of our own experiences and emotions, and by projecting similar experiences onto others, we can understand, predict, and influence the behavior of others. This social intelligence, or "mind reading" was an adaptive advantage in the early human environment.

​Magic of Consciousness: Hump​hrey introduced the idea of consciousness as something "magical" in a sense, where it feels as though our experiences have a special, rich, subjective quality. He suggests that this "magic" isn’t necessary for cognitive function but evolved to give humans a sense of importance to their lives, which in turn enhances survival by promoting a will to live, reproduce, and nurture.

Sensory Feedback and Self-Perception: Humphrey argues that consciousness arose from basic processes related to sensory feedback and the ability to perceive oneself. For instance, the experience of pain doesn’t just inform an organism of damage—it comes with a subjective, qualitative feeling, which makes the organism more likely to act to avoid harm in the future. This subjective aspect of experience, which creates a more urgent motivation, has been selected for throughout evolution.

Consciousness and the Inner Theatre: One of his influential metaphors is that consciousness creates an "inner theatre," where we become spectators of our own experiences. This mental simulation enables humans to not only react to stimuli but to contemplate, simulate, and plan future actions, making them more adaptable and flexible.

The Evolution of Self-Awareness: Humphrey also explores how self-awareness, an advanced aspect of consciousness, could have evolved. He suggests that self-awareness offers the ability to reflect on one’s own mental states and predict the consequences of one's actions, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of social dynamics and personal survival.

Consciousness as a Biological Adaptation: Unlike many cognitive scientists who view consciousness as an epiphenomenon—something that exists as a byproduct of brain activity but doesn't influence behavior—Humphrey believes that consciousness is a biological adaptation. It was selected because it confers a significant survival advantage, helping individuals not just interact with the world but reflect on their experiences in a way that improves decision-making and long-term planning. 

Humphrey’s ideas have been highly influential in shaping contemporary debates about the role and nature of consciousness, especially within the fields of evolutionary psychology, philosophy of mind, and cognitive science. His work highlights the deep interconnection between consciousness, social interaction, and survival.

Concept of Moksha

According to Indian philosophies, life is an ocean of unpredictability and suffering is a universal truth. Crossing this ocean and thereby escaping the cycle of rebirths and deaths is Moksha (the ultimate Purushartha). Each philosophy (Darshana) prescribes its own distinctive method to attain Moksha. Bhava Sagar is as follows:

A profound and complex concept!: Bhava Sagar is a term used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism to describe the ocean of existence, or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara).Bhava means existence, being, or becoming, and Sagar means ocean or sea.In this context, Bhava Sagar represents the vast and endless ocean of existence, where living beings are perpetually caught in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

The Cycle of Bhava Sagar:

Birth (Janma): A living being is born into the world, driven by their past karma.

Life (Jiva): The living being experiences the world, accumulates new karma, and develops attachments and aversions.

Death (Mrityu): The living being dies, and their soul (jiva) is reborn into a new existence, driven by their accumulated karma.

Rebirth (Punarjanma): The cycle repeats, with the living being experiencing a new existence, driven by their past karma.

The Goal: The ultimate goal of spiritual practices in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism is to transcend the cycle of Bhava Sagar, achieving liberation (Moksha or Nirvana) from the ocean of existence.

Symbols and Metaphors: Bhava Sagar is often symbolized by the ocean, representing the vast and unpredictable nature of existence. The living being is seen as a boat or a sailor, navigating the ocean of existence, seeking to reach the shore of liberation.

In conclusion, Bhava Sagar represents the complex and dynamic cycle of existence, where living beings are perpetually caught in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The ultimate goal of spiritual practices is to transcend this cycle, achieving liberation from the ocean of existence.

Moksha defined in various Darshanas is as follows:

1. Advaita stipulates destruction of MAYA, the veil that covers Atman and reveals the same in all its glory; using Jnana (knowledge) as the vehicle.

2. Vishistaadvaita stipulates a combination of Jnana, karma, Bhakti, claiming Narayana will enable the deciple to cross the Bhava sagar.

3. Buddhism stipulates cessation of suffering to cross this ocean. No ideas of God or Atman here; individual by his own efforts is supposed to cultivate his/her mind and then to conquer the reasons for suffering.

4. Jainism stipulates right living, endurance of fruits of papa karmas (using Mahavratas and Anuvratas), and sacrificing fruits of punya karmas (Aparigraha), which will allow Atman to attain Moksha; in effect erasing Karmic effects.

5. Tantra stipulates Hatha yoga and Kundalini yoga to attain Moksha.

Though methods stipulated are different, the sole objective or the common goal of crossing Bhava Sagar is unchanged.