The demonic nature of consciousness

As sentient beings we live within the sphere and conditions of consciousness (vijñāna = vi [in two parts] jñāna [knowing] ).  Consciousness, a unique Buddhist term, is not to be confused with thought (the process of thinking) or mind (S., manas)  both of which fall within consciousness.  I hasten to add that consciousness‚ not the ātman—is the transmigrant from one life to the next. 

There is no evidence in Buddhism that we are unaffected by consciousness or can in some way ignore it.  Instead, the dual makeup of consciousness has to be overcome if we are to attain enlightenment.  The subject-observer and object-observed must become one, or the same, singular, in what can only be described as a mystical transformation which occurs, suddenly. 

Thus, it turns out that consciousness, because it is dual (vi), has its origin from the one which is non-dual.  During this mystical transformation, just mentioned, ‘dual-knowing’ (vi-jñāna), instantaneously, returns to the one.  Such terms as One Mind, pure Mind, unborn Mind, Suchness/tathatā, Buddha-nature are metaphors used to describe this singular state which is also the underlying substance or essence of the universe. 

I need to add that this singular state is also the beginning of religion which is metaphorized into God, Theos, the Father, the Maker, the Godhead, Allah, Jehovah, the Great Spirit, etc.  Such divine names, it must be kept in mind, still fall within the dual nature of consciousness which is responsible for the cosmic illusion.  The various names mean nothing as compared with the actual attainment of the one by which consciousness returns to its origin which excludes duality, absolutely.  And so it is ever the case that duality is never other than dumb and unspeaking before the one.  To face the one with consciousness is called in Buddhism, avidyā (non-knowledge, nescience, ignorance).

If some demonic mind could invent a trap to keep sentient beings on a fruitless path, seemingly forever, it would be the trap of consciousness whereby the one is split into subject-observer and object-observed.  What, implicitly, connects the two sides (i.e., the one) is beyond the reach of consciousness yet as conscious being we still aim to find what connects the two sides but never manage to succeed.  Only the Buddhas succeed.

Comments

[dave b]

"Consciousness, a unique Buddhist term,"

which is neither Buddhist nor unique. Consciousness is an English word, originally denoting the lights being on (the senses being active) which is also all it means in the 5 aggregate list. But then transformed by Gene Rodenbury and Star Trek into an atheist replacement for the soul (which is why "Buddhists" can't tell their head from their ass). The word gets used for two opposite things in English Buddhism keeping the retards hopelessly confused forever.