“Paradise is regained by finding the wonder within the moment.”—Pico Ayer
In 1988, neuroscientist Christof Koch bet philosopher David Chalmers that by 2023, scientists would figure out how the brain produces consciousness. Five days ago, at the annual meeting of the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness, Koch publicly admitted defeat and presented Chalmers with a case of fine Portuguese wine.
But he also doubled down, betting that in 25 more years, science would understand the mechanism by which the brain’s neurons produce this thing we call consciousness.
Although nobody’s asking little ole non-scientific me, I would take that bet because consciousness doesn’t originate in the brain. In fact, I believe the brain and all its neural pathways—formulated differently in every person—are actually a deterrent to understanding consciousness.
The brain is designed to take shortcuts. Its purpose is to condense the radiant, always-morphing energy field into a narrative we can understand. It doesn’t begin to show us true reality.
True reality is so vast, so beautiful, so all-encompassing that our puny little bodies can’t begin to hold it all. So we construct—in our brains—a story that fits what we’ve decided is true. Amy Leach, last Saturday’s Awakin Call guest, called it the “tedium of knowing.”
I loved that phrase because that’s what happens when we think we have it all figured out. The brilliance, the wonder, the effervescent energy force cannot get through the conditioning we’ve constructed.
The one facet I do appreciate about the brain is that it’s malleable. So, yes, most of us have grown neural pathways that reflect the anguish of our internal imaginings, but these sagas are only true as long as we keep looking at them. We can unwire our pathways by focusing on what’s really happening in this now moment, giving old habits and constraints less power. That’s why I frequently talk about possibility state as opposed to problem state.
I have no clue where consciousness comes from, but I do know that by focusing on this moment and this moment only, I begin to gradually construct a state of beauty, wonder and grace.
#222 Forever!
Pam Grout is the author of 20 books including E-Squared, E-Cubed, Thank & Grow Rich and her latest book, The Course in Miracles Experiment: A Starter Kit for Rewiring Your Mind (And Therefore Your World)
29 Responses
And……little ole non-scientific you is AMAZINGLY PERFECT!!!!!! Thank you for being YOU!!!!
Ah, thanks, Diana!
Thank you again for a reminder of the wonderfulness!! I am grateful for you, Pam!!
Unplugging brain in 3…… 2…….. 1……… *******************
Thank you, Pam, for sharing another inspiring post. I would also take the bet by Christof Koch, because it is simply not true that the brain produces consciousness. In fact it is the other way around—consciousness produces the brain. David Chalmers is famous for coining the phrase “the hard problem of consciousness.” More recently, this phrase has been turned on its head and termed “the hard problem of matter.” Mind and so-called “matter” are inseparable. As Paramahansa Yogananda stated, “the mind is the creator of everything.” Wishing you a lovely waking state day. 🙏🙂
Thanks, Art. Indeed, I am enjoying a lovely waking state day. Trust you are, too.
I agree, Pam. Consciousness is the exquisite mystery
and by being in the presence we are part of it.
It’s so cool. We can’t NOT be part of the presence.
Science may discover the source of consciousness when it runs out of places not to look.
Good point!!!
Science can marvel at consciousness, but as long as they are materialistic in their approach, they will never find it. Thanks for your beautiful reminder to stay right here, right now.
Science is great, but it is limited by its assumptions.
Like the story of the blind men describing an elephant, you continue to create a map and share it with all of us. Thank you Pam… soo much…
The elephant story is exquisite in explaining how “blind” we so often are when we believe our perceptions.
What they SHOULD be looking for is how consciousness produces brains! (And bodies. And everything else! )
Well said!!! Thanks!
I love this post. I think it was Deepak Chopra who wrote in Quantum Healing, that consciousness is in the space between our cells. I love that! It might even be in our aura but it doesn’t matter as long as we tune into it and not the stories we tell ourselves.
Yep, I’m so OVER all the stories I’ve told myself over the years.
Wow, that’s the fantastic beauty of it 🙏🏼
Right!????
Tedium of knowing! Omgoodness, yes!!! Let go!!! Let go of that which holds us back!!
(On a side note, Pam, I am LOVING THE MYSTICS SUMMIT!!! You were wonderful, and your cohorts, have been excellent!)
Thanks, Donna for letting me know. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it.
Just finished reading “The Physics of God” this past week which addresses this questiong. I recommend this book to anybody as the author makes the physics part palatable to everyone. He describes the new discoveries in quantum physics in the past 30 years since I first read this science, which finally made everything “click” for me. Consciousness (or my understanding of it) comes from our connection with the 2 dimensional universe that surrounds our 3 dimensional one (put your head around that one). Or to put it simply – it is the product of our connection with the non-physical world. Without that, we are definitely not truly conscious. I’m probably not saying this correctly, but I certainly felt that this book described what I experience when I am “connected”. It’s all vibration, man!!!
I think I have that book. Thanks for reminding me–I’d love a refresher course.
I’m very grateful for “little ole non-scientific” you Pam because you make the ‘almost impossible to comprehend’ comprehendible! You also make it delightful, entertaining and inspiring. So thank you. 🙏🌝 Here’s to letting go of the sagas we create with our limited thinking, and focussing instead on the magical mystery and possibility within the now moment. Imagine what magic we could create!🌹🦋🍄
Yes! Just imagine!!!
🩷🥳💜
Hi all, I just wanted to share that I have been inhaling NDE stories from a channel on YouTube to learn more about energy and consciousness after one of them popped up in my feed. I can tell you, as I read ACIM lessons, it adds another layer of perspective and understanding for me. Although there are some common themes in NDE stories (tunnels, gardens, Jesus as examples) each person has their own unique experience and message to bring back. Some also have ‘illuminating’ ways of describing energy, consciousness and love. One nurse even described God showing her where He was in her junk DNA! Anyway, have a lovely day/evening wherever you are, and thanks again Pam for your inspiring posts!
Great article. Be still.
Beautiful article. There is a wonderful new book called Enchantment, by Katherine May that speaks to the hunger we feel collectively to experience more wonder & awe in our lives. Great to see so much inspiration being summoned to counter the fear & despair.