Consciousness is simply a word that is used to describe the openness, space, emptiness, or fullness in which phenomena arise.

Consciousness is also the 'ability to be aware.'

To be aware of what you may ask?

Well, phenomena (things) for one. You can also be aware of consciousness, of emptiness, of the openness in which all that is arises. This ability to be aware can be developed in meditation for instance.

I am not sure I would make a distinction between consciousness and Consciousness.

No, the ability to be aware is not limited to humans. It seems, however, we are the only one who can develop it by choice. This is called the volitional evolution of consciousness. In other words, a dog can't meditate or practice other techniques to expand his lovely little mind. Downwards is for us!

There are many cases of people in comas who retained full consciousness. Personally, I do not know about zombies, but I think I might have a family of them living in the apartment under me!

To put it very simply, as you go down the scale of complexity on a biological level; a fly, a flower, a rock, and so on, the level of consciousness also decreases.

Okay. Here I go, answering a question I do not understand.

First of all, I also do not know a zombie. I do know cats, dogs, horses. I know they are conscious of when I come home. They are conscious of the fact that I am the one who brings food. I know my plants respond to water, and sunlight.

hmmmmmmm

I cannnot answer this question and it plagues me. What are we looking for here?

Mick,

Does your answer imply that anything that has mass has consciousness since it will be "aware" of any other mass through gravitational attraction?

Mac

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There are 3 major states of consciousness.

1. Gross

2. Subtle

3. Causal

Gross is here and now, you reading this text, touching the keyboard, sitting on your chair.

Subtle is when you dream at night.

Causal is the formless context for all.

Be aware of all 3.

Consciousness exists, perhaps what it is isnt as important as what we do with it?

Mac - yes, consciousness is being aware that we are aware. A dog or a rock has no clue it 'is'. You do. You also have the ability to decide what is the expression of that 'you' is going to look like. Dogs and rocks don't.