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Higher consciousness, also called '''super consciousness''' (Yoga), objective [[consciousness]] (Gurdjieff), Buddhic consciousness (Theosophy), cosmic consciousness, [[God-consciousness]] (Sufism and Hinduism) and [[Christ consciousness]] (New Thought), are expressions used in various [[spiritual]] [[tradition]]s to denote the consciousness of a [[human being]] who has reached a higher level of [[evolution]]ary development and who has come to know [[Reality]] as it is. Evolution in this sense is not that which occurs by natural selection over generations of human reproduction but evolution brought about by the application of spiritual knowledge to the conduct of human life. Through the application of such [[knowledge]] (traditionally the preserve of the world's great religions) to practical self-management, the awakening and development of faculties dormant in the ordinary human being is achieved. These faculties are aroused by and developed in conjunction with certain dispositions of [[character]] such as patience, kindness, truthfulness, humility and forgiveness towards one's fellow man – qualities without which, according to moral/ethical stipulations of the various traditions, higher consciousness is not possible.

Higher consciousness, also called '''super consciousness''' (Yoga), objective [[consciousness]] (Gurdjieff), Buddhic consciousness (Theosophy), cosmic consciousness, [[God-consciousness]] (Sufism and Hinduism) and [[Christ consciousness]] (New Thought), are expressions used in various [[spiritual]] [[tradition]]s to denote the consciousness of a [[human being]] who has reached a higher level of [[evolution]]ary development and who has come to know [[Reality]] as it is. Evolution in this sense is not that which occurs by natural selection over generations of human reproduction but evolution brought about by the application of spiritual knowledge to the conduct of human life. Through the application of such [[knowledge]] (traditionally the preserve of the world's great religions) to practical self-management, the awakening and development of faculties dormant in the ordinary human being is achieved. These faculties are aroused by and developed in conjunction with certain dispositions of [[character]] such as patience, kindness, truthfulness, humility and forgiveness towards one's fellow man – qualities without which, according to moral/ethical stipulations of the various traditions, higher consciousness is not possible.

==Concept==

==Concept==

Higher consciousness is generally regarded as a developed state of consciousness in which aspects of the [[mind]], such as [[thought]], [[perception]] and attention, are improved, refined and enhanced. It is considered thus to be a higher level of consciousness relative to ordinary consciousness, in the sense that a greater awareness of [[reality]] is achieved. In a secular [[context]], higher consciousness is usually associated with exceptional control over one's mind and [[volition|will]], [[intellectual]] and moral enlightenment, and profound personal growth.[1]. In a spiritual context, It may also be associated with [[transcendence]], spiritual enlightenment, and union with the divine.[2]

Higher consciousness is generally regarded as a developed state of consciousness in which aspects of the [[mind]], such as [[thought]], [[perception]] and attention, are improved, refined and enhanced. It is considered thus to be a higher level of consciousness relative to ordinary consciousness, in the sense that a greater awareness of [[reality]] is achieved. In a secular [[context]], higher consciousness is usually associated with exceptional control over one's mind and [[volition|will]], [[intellectual]] and moral enlightenment, and profound personal growth.[1]. In a spiritual context, It may also be associated with [[transcendence]], spiritual enlightenment, and union with the divine.[2]

Meditation is used in some forms of yoga such as Raja Yoga, Hatha yoga, Transcendental Meditation (TM), the Buddhist Jhanas, in the practices of Christian [[monk]]s and Islamic scholars such as Sufis. Meditation can have a calming influence on practitioners, as well as changing the state of consciousness. Theravada Buddhism views the Jhanas - the cultivation of which is similar to practices in Hindu Yoga - as a preliminary, in which it is demonstrated that states such as rapture are not ultimately satisfactory (see The Jhanas in Theravada Buddhist Meditation by Mahathera Henepola: "With the fading away of rapture, he dwells in equanimity, mindful and discerning"). In most types of Buddhism, serenity meditation is followed by [[insight]] meditation in which one uses the sharpened mind to penetrate the true nature of all mental [[phenomena]].

Meditation is used in some forms of yoga such as Raja Yoga, Hatha yoga, Transcendental Meditation (TM), the Buddhist Jhanas, in the practices of Christian [[monk]]s and Islamic scholars such as Sufis. Meditation can have a calming influence on practitioners, as well as changing the state of consciousness. Theravada Buddhism views the Jhanas - the cultivation of which is similar to practices in Hindu Yoga - as a preliminary, in which it is demonstrated that states such as rapture are not ultimately satisfactory (see The Jhanas in Theravada Buddhist Meditation by Mahathera Henepola: "With the fading away of rapture, he dwells in equanimity, mindful and discerning"). In most types of Buddhism, serenity meditation is followed by [[insight]] meditation in which one uses the sharpened mind to penetrate the true nature of all mental [[phenomena]].

[[Category: Religion]]

[[Category: Religion]]