George Ivanovich Gurdjieff (c.1867 – 29 October 1949) was a philosopher, mystic, spiritual teacher, and composer. Gurdjieff taught that people are not conscious of themselves and thus live their lives in a state of hypnotic "waking sleep", but that it is possible to awaken to a higher state of consciousness and serve our purpose as human beings. The practice of his teaching has become known as "The Work" (connoting work on oneself) and is additional to the ways of the fakir, monk and yogi, so that his student P. D. Ouspensky referred to it as the "Fourth Way". A well-known quote from George Gurdjieff is "What you call the subconscious, is in my opinion the real human consciousness". How does this compare with more recent thoughts about our selves? George Gurdjieff's perspective on the subconscious as the "real human consciousness" aligns with a view that emphasizes the vast and often inaccessible aspects of our mental processes. This philosophical stance is in contrast to conventional consciousness, suggesting that our true depth of awareness lies beneath the surface level of our everyday thoughts and experiences.
Recent theories about quantum consciousness explore the potential connection between quantum physics and consciousness. They propose that quantum phenomena might play a role in explaining the nature of consciousness. While these theories are still largely speculative and not universally accepted in the scientific community, they open intriguing possibilities about the relationship between the mind and the fundamental aspects of reality.
Implications and Connections:
Depth of Consciousness: Gurdjieff's idea of the subconscious as the "real human consciousness" aligns with the notion that our surface-level awareness might only scratch the surface of a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of our own minds. This idea resonates with the exploration of quantum consciousness, suggesting that there might be underlying, intricate processes contributing to our subjective experiences that transcend conventional understanding.
Non-locality and Connectivity: Quantum theories suggest the concept of non-locality, where particles can be interconnected across space and time. Similarly, in the realm of consciousness, this might suggest a level of interconnectedness or non-local properties that go beyond our immediate, observable experiences. Gurdjieff's idea of the subconscious as the "real" consciousness might hint at a similar depth of interconnection within our mental processes.
Mystical and Philosophical Underpinnings: Both Gurdjieff's perspective and quantum consciousness theories have elements of mystery and philosophical depth. They delve into the realms of the unknown and the less tangible aspects of human experience, suggesting that there might be dimensions of consciousness that are difficult to apprehend or measure through traditional means.
Interpretative Nature: Both perspectives confront the limitations of our current understanding of consciousness. They encourage a more expansive, interpretative view of the mind, moving away from the rigid definitions of consciousness towards a more complex and multi-layered understanding.
Challenges and Considerations:
While these perspectives offer intriguing possibilities, they are highly theoretical and not empirically proven. Understanding the relationship between quantum phenomena and consciousness remains an ongoing challenge, and many theories in this area are met with skepticism in the scientific community.
Furthermore, the use of quantum theory to explain consciousness often involves interpretations that might not directly correlate with the workings of the brain and human cognition, and they lack the empirical evidence required for widespread acceptance.
In summary, Gurdjieff's assertion about the "real human consciousness" residing in the subconscious resonates with the speculative nature of theories exploring quantum consciousness. Both viewpoints suggest that there might be more to our awareness and understanding of consciousness than what is immediately evident, emphasizing the depth and complexity of human experience. Nonetheless, these theories remain within the realm of philosophical exploration and theoretical conjecture, awaiting further scientific validation and evidence.
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