Freedom of consciousness is like light trapped in a glass vessel. It may seem confined, hidden behind the transparent walls of habits, fears, and societal norms. But the moment you allow it to shine, it fills everything around with warmth, radiance, and possibilities.
Source: AI - Microsoft Designer.
Like those little lights in a bottle on sunset shore — thoughts and dreams may be locked away, but their energy still finds a way to break through illuminating the sand, reflecting in the water, merging with the sun beyond the horizon. Freedom isn't absence of boundaries but ability to shine even through them.
Since ancient times people have tried to understand the nature of consciousness, source and its limits. Myths, legends and philosophical teachings have formed around this mystery. Here are some fascinating perspectives from different cultures:
1. Hinduism and Vedic Concepts
In ancient Indian texts, consciousness is linked to Atman. — the supreme "Self" which is a fragment of the Absolute (Brahman) . According to Vedic teachings, consciousness doesn't belong to the body but merely manifests through it temporarily, transitioning from one incarnation to another.
2. Buddhism and the Nature of the Mind
Buddhists view consciousness as a flow (samsara) that change every moment. In Zen Buddhism, there is the concept of "enlightenment"—a state in which a person realizes the true nature of reality, no illusions.
3. Shamanic Traditions
In many cultures shamans believed that consciousness could leave the body and travel to other realities. In Siberian traditions a shaman’s spirit could move between the "upper world" of the gods, the "middle world" of humans and the "lower world" of ancestors.
4. Plato and the Theory of Forms
The ancient Greek philosopher Plato argued that consciousness is connected to realm of ideas — a higher dimension where the perfect forms of all things exist. According to him the human soul remembers this world but forgets it at birth.
5. The Egyptian Concept of "Ba" and "Ka"
The ancient Egyptians believed that a person consisted of multiple soul components. "Ba" was the conscious, active part capable of traveling after death, while "Ka" was the vital force that remained near the body.
6. Modern Myths and the Simulation Hypothesis
Today ideas about consciousness have given rise to new legends such as simulation hypothesis. According to this concept our reality is merely a computer program and our consciousness is connected to higher plane of existence.
All these perspectives show that throughout history people have felt that consciousness is something greater than just brain activity. It connects us to something mysterious perhaps even divine.
Is Energy the Foundation of Everything?
Some theories link the soul and consciousness to energy. For example:
The Quantum Theory of Consciousness (Penrose, Hameroff) suggests that consciousness is tied to quantum processes that do not disappear after death.
In Taoism and Yoga, there is the concept of life energy (Qi, Prana), which flows through the body and affects the mind.
Esoteric traditions speak of the biofield a subtle energy surrounding the body that contains information about person.
What if consciousness is a manifestation of energy, and the soul is its immortal form? Perhaps the soul is a kind of "informational structure" that survives body’s death, continuing to exist in another form.
While modern science has yet to prove this, ancient traditions, philosophy and even quantum physics hint at a deep connection between consciousness, the soul, and energy.