From the moment that 2 cells form a zygote, we see the interaction of informational process - recognition, communication, interaction, integration, re-stabilization and reproduction and or re-structurization. This cycle of life can be see from the barest combinations of any two elemental components beginning at the lowest atomic designations of energy and throughout the continuum of increasing complexity - perhaps far beyond our capabilities to understand. *** If consciousness can be defined as an awareness of integrity through this process of self recognition; then consciousness can be easily applied to that which is non-human.***
From the most basic interactions of chemistry, we find that even on an atomic level there is to be found this type of consciousness. We have become aware of the atom's necessary maintenance of it's own structure through the evidence of necessary balancing of protons, neutrons and electrons; the importance of electron shell valences is also a reminder of this type of integrity. Even on an atomic level, there is a form of awareness of self-integrity in order to maintain structure and identity.
This process of awareness is also a genius of discrimination. A form of identification of self & non self on an energetic level. There is a borrowing, and sometimes a sharing energetically, yet when this process of self recognition begins to fail we see the destruction of the matter it involves <this is evident with atomic structure and also evident at the human level in the study of cancer.> Therefore we might look at this process of self-recognition and maintenance and examine it's nature in order to find its function and capabilities.
When we look at different types of matter, we find that the more simple the atomic structure of the mass, the less complex its process of "consciousness" needs to be. Things which are comprised of only one atomic component do not need complex processes of communication between those components. Thus the level of consciousness is rather low on an evolutionary scale of creativity, yet we also see that these types of things are far more stable in regards to their integrity - far less vulnerable to destruction. In example, it takes an enormously concentrated force of heat to break the integrity of an atom...yet a mere 2000 degree flame will not only destroy the integrity of human consciousness, but also destroy the integrity of the individual component molecules which form the material mass of a human to their lowest forms as individual atoms.
When we look at the forces involved in communication of energy, we see a flowing medium of different frequencies within a single spectrum of energetic potential. Elemental energies and forces <light, sound, temperature, pressure, magnetism, electricity...> differentiate and vary in intensity and frequency yet are very alike in that they are all means of transferring energy as a form of communication which can be informative/stabilizing or disinformative/destructive, depending on the structure of the "consciousness" they encounter. It may be perceived that the more complex the structure, the lower the frequency of the integrity of that structure and the more vulnerable that structure is to disinformation.
The more diverse the components are that are included within a thing, and the more efficient the means of communication within the structure of that thing; the lower the common denomination of frequency of integrity must be in order that the informational frequency will not be destructive to any of the component parts. To analyze this statement we must look at other analogies within our environment. Firstly I would like to examine the nature of sound.
Sound waves come in varying frequencies and modulations, and as humans we assign different notes to those steps within the frequency spectrum which we can differentiate and perceive. If we play several notes simultaneously, we find that in order to maintain a balance harmonically, we must play notes that match each others modulation. You can play a "C" note at any octave and in fact play all "C" notes simultaneously and you will find that within the frequency range these notes will compliment each other, in fact they will contribute/share energy with each other. WE find similar matching if we look at musical chording. If you play the notes "F" and "C" , the sharing of energy vibrationally between those two ranges of frequency will in fact create the note of "A" in the range in which the two notes frequencies overlap. In this way communication is informative and in fact the "whole is greater" than the sum of its parts. Similarly, playing two notes which lie in the same modulation frequencies simultaneously will increase the duration of the vibration compared to the duration if each note were played alone.
When we examine the sharing of electrical information at an atomic level, we see that through the temporary sharing of electrons in a phase path also indicates something that we might consider as investing a thing <atom> with more than the sum of its parts. Similarly in using electric frequencies in a series, we store information on silicon chips which invest them with more than they would be if one simply looked at the electrical and silicon components alone. This transference of energy is also a transference of information in frequencies which in many ways we are still attempting to understand.
Simple, one component things, can sustain far higher frequencies of energetic transmission than can complex components of things. Frequencies which pass freely through atoms ultimately destroy complex things such as humans when they are subject to them. It appears that the more complex the union of the components, the slower and more tediously complex the transformation of data must be. The more complex a thing is, the lower the vibrational capability it sustains in order to maintain the integrity of its own structure.
Energetic communication exists infinitely throughout the universe. The transference of information through radio waves and light waves continues back in time to the occasion of what was known as the Big Bang. It may be that in the future we will find that in the same way gravity and electromagnetism are also continuums of information from times long past. Scientifically we study these energetic continuums and yet we doubt and deny the holistic communicative nature of the universe. We search for causes and effects within the realms of our limited perceptions and are amazed when we can find no causal effects to explain change.
When we examine biological life, we find that each evolutionary adaptation seems to be an extension of the process of self/non self awareness and maintenance of integrity. Not only do we see intensification of sensory perceptual abilities, but also we note that the integrational and responsive/reactive components of the process also have to evolve and adapt in order to stay integrated with the rest of the "consciousness". Amoebas are "simple" life forms, and yet we can examine them and see that each organic component within that life form serves as an informational and communicative component within the process of maintaining the integrity <life> of the whole. When this communication process or any part of it ceases, the organization of the organism begins to deteriorate and eventually ceases and dies. In biological life, we find that though we have maintained the use of electronic communication on some neural levels, we have sunk to the depths of transferring actual molecular compounds <proteins, amino acids...> in most of our organic processes. Even the human brain, supposed highest achievement of organic life forms, requires base molecular salts in order to process electrical information. Our complexity denies us the speed of light, radio, and other faster and higher frequency modes of communication except from outside of ourselves.
The human consciousness is a genius of discrimination. We use the abilities of discrimination to identify those stimuli which come from outside of our biological forms in order to protect and maintain our integrity <life. We use our senses <inefficient though they may be> to gather and interpret pure energetic communications such as the radiated energy of sunlight and we are so inefficient at interpreting that data that we can only sense light and heat and it destroys those sensors that gather that information through blindness and sunburn if we continue too long in our attempts. Yet, conversely , we need the information from sunlight which stimulates our organic forms into producing vitamin D <without which we would die>. Is this a remnant of photosynthetic capabilities from lessor complex integrations, or merely a new attempt at further increasing our potential?
As organic forms of consciousness, we are sorely limited in our perceptions of the universe. Limited in exploring the possibly limitless ranges of energetic exchange simply due to the limits placed upon communication due to the complexity of our component structure. Yet rather than admit to our limitations, we seek further exploration through the development of tools made from things less complex than ourselves. In the laboratory, we use light waves and shaped silicon to create microscopes to increase our sense of visual acuity within the spectrum of visible radiation imaging. In the studio, we use simple cones flattened vegetable matter and electronic amplification to create tools to compensate for our limited aural perception. We have created many tools out of simpler and less complex components in order to reach those higher frequencies of information which are either so far removed from us as to be imperceptible, or so destructive to us that we dare not experience them ourselves.
The human zygote from the moment of conception is a discriminating consciousness which is involved in the differentialization of its components in order to develop finer levels of complexity. This fetus is also even before birth learning to interpret communicative energies from the outer world in order to begin definition of itself, its integrity and its maintenance of self apart from the influence of "other". Cells, joining together in communication to form co-operative systems each with separate responsibilities to the whole. Organs with specific functions supporting the organism in its fight to maintain its integrity. Consciousness of Mind, determining the difference between self and non self, regulating the integrity of the whole. This harmony of components within a symphony of orchestration, this is the matter of being alive.
Despite our complexities, despite recognition of our vulnerabilities and limitations; we as humans are beings of arrogant mind. We claim supremacy over all biological organisms and claim the sole right to conscious thought <as if we were the only from of communication we wished to recognize.> We deny our insecurities and lay claims to great understandings concerning the universe, when we in fact do not even understand the actual workings of our own process of integration and communication within our own biological forms.
We claim ownership of consciousness, yet we do not even pretend to truly evaluate the process of consciousness nor its beginnings. Despite our inadequacies, we assume to know the nature of the beginnings of all life. We claim to know the "mind" of "God" <the prime causation for all that exists> and we claim title to superiority in emulation of this "God" - above and beyond all other forms of life or integrity. An egotistic lot are we, who strive to seek security in the midst of our fear, our inadequacies, our vulnerabilities; by developing a system of belief which guarantees our security in a place beyond our perception. We seek safety and foundation at the same time that we reach outward to claim flight amongst the stars. This is the paradox on humanity, of mind. Complexity found in simplicity...using simplicity to explore a universe beyond the range of our complex integrity. Our complex integrity vulnerable to all but the simplest energies, while we lay grasp to use complex energies which would destroy us in order to prove our strength. What it is we look for, we eventually find at the expense of closing our senses to see what really is. Perhaps it is true that the most foolish are those who lay claim to knowledge for they have closed their minds to further learning, and that the most wise are those who claim knowledge of no thing, that they may learn all.
Copyright (c) 1988 by Phil Hansford. This article is licensed for free non-commercial distribution only.
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