Unpacking Consciousness: From Phenomenal to Pure Awareness

The provided text, excerpts from "Consciousness"by Dr. Ramesh Ushwaha, explores the multifaceted nature of consciousness, distinguishing between the Virtual Experiencer Self (VES), which engages with perceived objects, and Phenomenal Consciousness, referring toraw sensory experiences or "Qualia." The author presents"Consciousness" as the ultimate knower, the Virtual AbsoluteSelf (VAS) or Pure Consciousness (PC), which is the trueself, and discusses various philosophical theories on consciousness, including dualism and physicalism, and the "hard problem" presented by Chalmers. Ushwaha introduces his own theory of "Virtual Physicalism," suggesting the brain simulates an external world interpreted by the mind, and proposes that "State Consciousness" is a fundamental property of all living, sentient creatures, essential for meaningful interaction with stimuli, even in seeminglyunconscious states. Finally, the text asserts that this "StateConsciousness" is present in all living beings, including plants and even bacteria, arguing that a complex brain is required for a more evolved VES and richer phenomenal conscious experiences.