The Mind

Philosophical Consciousness

To describe the phenomenon of life and existence is to recognize the quintessential pertinence of consciousness.  Successful, sensible elucidations thereof escape the greatest philosophical minds to this day.  However, the meditative contemplation of such is sure to yield insights and bring about great novelty of thought; these effects characterize the entire field of that which we call Philosophy.  

The Nature of Consciousness -- as Philosophy's 21st century problem -- is guaranteed to garner plenty of debate and academic study for years, even decades, to come.  So to be attempting to answer our question(s) of consciousness is to be at the forefront of contemporary philosophy.  So I believe I should urge you to ask yourself just what your mind is.  And what about awareness -- of self and of circumstance?  The How and the What can really get to you.

Pondering these intellectual issues leads, inevitably, to a certain state in which vacillation of cogitation overwhelms logical questioning.  Temporarily, of course.  But the point is that this is indeed a state of altered consciousness: that mental feeling of bewilderment that seems like confusion.  So deep inquiries into what our consciousnesses are actually causes a profound change in its state.  I find this interesting -- frustrating, but interesting.

Being lost in thought like this is a familiar quality when it comes to serious philosophizing.  Consciousness is just such a stubborn issue to illuminate.  

But we should not stop trying.  Clarity is the eventual result, and arrival at it is rather satisfying.