Level of consciousness (Esotericism)

2 Mayans

Consciousness is a loosely dened concept that addresses

the human awareness of both internal and external stimuli. This can refer to spiritual recognition, psychological understanding, medically altered states, or more
modern-day concepts of life purpose, satisfaction, and
self-actualization.

The pyramid of consciousness has dened Mayan thought

since the dawn of its civilization around 2000 BCE.
Shamans and priests dened consciousness as an awareness of being aware, commonly referred to as a branch
of metacognition. Because consciousness incorporates
stimuli from the environment as well as internally,
the Mayans believed it to be the most basic form of
existence.[1]

Most theories map consciousness in a series of levels,

some stages of which are more continuous or complex
than others. Movement between stages is often bidirectional depending on internal and external conditions, with
each mental ascension precipitating a change in reactivity. In the most basic sense, this alteration might lead
to a reduced responsiveness as seen in anesthesiology;
more abstract facets of tiered consciousness describe
characteristics of profoundness, insight, perception, or
understanding.

This existence, which they referred to as a loose translation of Cosmos, was made up of nine underworlds, depicted concretely through the nine-storied Pyramid of the
Plumed Serpent in Chichen Itza, the Temple of the Jaguar
in Tikal, and the Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque.
Within these nine underworlds are a specied day and
First appearing in the historical records of the ancient night, symbolizing periods of enlightenment, increased
Mayan and Incan civilizations, various theories of mul- consciousness, and a heightened ability to interact with
tiple levels of consciousness have pervaded spiritual, the universe.[2]
psychological, medical, and moral speculations in both A common cause for debate is the exponentially accelerEastern and Western cultures. Because of occasional and ating dates separating each level of consciousness, where
sometimes substantial overlap between hypotheses, there each stage occurs roughly 20 times faster than the previhave recently been attempts to combine perspectives to ous one.[3]
form new models that integrate components of separate
viewpoints.

3 Incas
1

History

Pyramid of Kulkucan (found at the center of the Chichen Itza)

Although many cultures have incorporated theories of

the layered consciousness into their belief structure, particularly for spiritual means before the separation of
church and state within any given civilization, the Ancient Mayans were among the rst to propose an orga- Inca Civilization
nized sense of each level, its purpose, and its temporal
Whereas the Ancient Mayans dened consciousness in alconnection to humankind.
1

THEORIES

most evolutionary terms, the Inca civilization considered 4.1.1 Historical beliefs
it a progression of awareness and concern for others,[4]
similar to the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama.
The majority of Eastern perspectives assert that while
consciousness originates from the sound of AUM, it has
incorporated itself into esh, which therefore gives humankind the goal of attaining oneness with the universe
once more.[7] Unlike Incan tradition, this oneness elimi4 Theories
nates the separation of external and internal changes into
one general indication of movement from stage to stage,
commonly known as the Seven Shamanic Levels of Consciousness.

4.1.2 Modern-day beliefs

Like the Seven Shamanic Levels of Consciousness,
yoga meditation practices as well as the teachings of
Vedanta and Tantra emphasize the importance of selfrealization, a concept that has become increasingly popular in Western philosophy after Abraham Maslows and
Carl Rogerss research in Humanistic Psychology.

The Seven Chakras

Although historical views of the separation of consciousness into various layers do not exactly mirror modernday perspectives, many parallels can be gathered from
the overarching themes found in Eastern and Western cultures.

4.1

Eastern perspectives

Many specic similarities have been drawn between

Ancient Incan and historical Eastern views of tiered
consciousness.[5] Within most Eastern belief structures
is the principle of the Cosmos as a joint entity with human awareness. Many branches stress the importance of
AUM, also written Om, as the rst sound produced after
the world was created. Within Christianity this concept
can be likened to the rst words of Genesis regarding the
holiness of the Word.[6]

Aum (Om) Mantra

Advaita Vedanta In particular, the Advaita Vedanta

school of Hindu philosophy has been a topic of extensive
study in both Eastern and Western cultures for its tiered
depiction of the steps toward attaining self-realization.[8]
Unlike the unidirectional nature of Mayan, Inca, and ancient shamanic perspectives, however, this particular belief structure arranges the attainment of oneness with OM
through rows and domains, each of which constitutes a
fragment of this vibratory sound.[9]

4.2

Western perspectives

OM Mantra Similarly, the seven levels of consciousness dened by modern-day OM mantras strive to reach
Absolute Reality through the same four realms described
in the Advaita Vedanta, with three transitional tiers in between each.[10]
Between the rst (A) and second (U) levels
is the Unmani, similar to the Western concept of
hypnagogia, or the movement from full alertness
into stage 1 sleep

3
Subconscious: relatively dim awareness; repository
of remembered experiences and consequent mental
impressions
Conscious: rational awareness; guides daily decisions and can be inuenced by others; input from
the bodily senses
Superconscious Awareness: intuition and heightened mental clarity; problem and solution are seen
as one entity

Between the second (U) and third (M) levels is

the Aladani, mirroring ideas of REM sleep
4.2

Western perspectives

Between the third (M) and fourth (AUM) levels

Fluctuations in consciousness theories are not particular
is the Samadhi, or the attainment of deep absorption
to Eastern cultures. A surprising degree of overlap can
be found within the eld of health and social sciences
The Veda The ancient Indian Vedas texts have lent a with regard to dulled, standard, and heightened intensicomparable view of unied consciousness, with a key dif- ties of awareness, both naturally and as a result of injury
[13]
ference in the purpose of human ascension from stage to or disorder.
stage. Instead of oneness with the universe, the Vedic
vision of consciousness emphasizes the importance of at4.2.1 Psychological views
taining knowledge and pure intelligence.[11]
Like many psychological theories within the particular
eld of psychoanalysis, one of the most popular theories
of consciousness was proposed by Sigmund Freud, who
described three facets of the psychic apparatus: the unconscious (id) or instinctual facet, the preconscious (ego)
or rational facet, and the conscious (superego) or moral
facet.
Although not unlike the Vedic vision of consciousness
as a form of intelligence, Jean Piagets theory of cognitive development is not commonly considered a form
of knowledge awareness but instead as the evolution of
the brains capacity for thought throughout the human
lifespan.[14]
4.2.2 Medical and pathological views
Similar to previously mentioned psychological views,
medical and pathological perspectives often hypothesize
tiered consciousness as a result of disease or disorders.
The Altered Levels of Consciousness (ALC) theory is
one such measure, in which a persons arousability and
responsiveness to environmental stimuli are classied by
their behavioral response.
Glasgow Coma Scale Although many such ALC tests
take place in hospital settings, the primary evaluation of
Ananda Sangha The Ananda Sangha movement has patient alertness is the Glasgow Coma Scale, which sepfrom standard conscious
evolved following the teachings of the late yogi and arates levels of consciousness[15]
comatose
state.
awareness
to
a
guru Paramhansa Yogananda. Compared to the multidimensional theories of consciousness in shamanic and
Conscious: normal, attentive; oriented to self,
OM mantra perspectives, this particular ideological facplace, and mind
tion stresses simplicity rather than detail.[12]
Statue of Shiva

THEORIES

In more physiologically based studies, scientists have

found that while the reticular formation controls alertness, wakefulness, and arousal in the brain, many mental responses to internal and external stimuli are dictated through signals relayed to and from the thalamus.[17]
Propofol and other consciousness-altering drugs are
therefore antagonists of thalamus activity, possibly leading to a drug-induced comatose state.[18]

4.3 Modern-day perspectives

Although many of the previously mentioned theories are
still widely held today in various groups, beliefs, and areas of study, a majority of commonly accepted perspectives stem from just the past decade. These hypothesized structures of awareness draw from many historical and early eighteenth- or nineteenth-century theories
to form an integrated and overarching generalization of
consciousness as a means of determining inner and outer
recognition of stimuli.

4.3.1 Holders three levels of consciousness

Comatose Patient (most extreme level on the Glasgow Coma
Scale)

Derived loosely from his philosophy of the Kung Fu system, Philip Holder oers three levels of consciousness
that feature distinct dierences in the way in which they
Confused: impaired or slowed thinking; disoriare reached.[19]
ented
Delirious: disoriented, restless, clear decit in attention; possible incidence of hallucinations and 4.3.2 Barretts seven levels of personal consciousdelusions
ness
Somnolent: excessive drowsiness; little response to
external stimuli
Obtunded: decreased alertness, slowed motor responses; sleepiness
Stuporous: conscious but sleep-like state associated with little or no activity; only responsiveness is
in reaction to pain
Comatose: no response to stimuli, cannot be
aroused; no gag reex or pupil response to light

Relationship to schizophrenia Recent hypotheses

have incorporated these ALC theories into the psychopathological study of schizophrenia, suggesting that
each altered level of awareness is connected to a degree
of suering or shock experienced by the patient. As the
situation increases in seriousness, patients will descend
to lower levels of consciousness and consequentially lose
the capacity to cry, to smile, or to exhibit a wide range of
emotions when reacting to the environment.[16]

Self-concept

Similarly, Richard Barrett proposes seven stages of consciousness that progress in a logical order. The progression focuses on existential needs directly connected to
and dependent on the human condition, all of which are
motivating factors for daily interactions.[20]

5.2
4.3.3

Morins integration
Gibsons four states of consciousness

Dr. Bob Rhondell Gibson, author of Notes on Personal

Integration and Health and often recognized as a psychic
healer, hypothesized the existence of four tiers of extrasensory awareness. Beyond being more applicable to
internal states rather than reactions to the external environment, these stages contrast markedly with the previously mentioned modern theories through their emphasis
on humankinds immediate interactions.[21] Gibson does
not focus on life progression or individual power to move
between levels, but rather on momentary instances of personal experience.

5
based theory that unies various interpretations of main
altered states of awareness into a single meta-theory, or
a hypothesis about an already existing hypothesis. In this
case, Leary and Wilson state that the altered levels of consciousness dened in medical elds are products of eight
diering brain structures within the human nervous system.
This concept not only connects psychology and the more
medically focused studies of neurology and biology, but
also incorporates elements of sociology, anthropology,
physics, chemistry, and advanced mathematical formulas. Furthermore, critics argue that the inspiration for
his theory stems at least indirectly from the Hindu chakra
system.[22]

Attempts to combine theories

5.2 Morins integration

5.1

Learys 8-Circuit Model of ConsciousSimilar to Dr. Rondell Gibsons view of a simplied hierness

archy of conscious states, Alain Morin describes a fourtiered integration of nine past awareness models, focusing
explicitly on the two common aspects underlying each belief structure: the perception of the self in time and the
complexity of those self-representations.[23]
In summary, Morin concludes that from the many concepts discussed above it is near impossible to settle for
only one theory without accepting at least a fraction of
another. Although each hypothesis has been debated either in scientic or more spiritually focused literature, she
states that consciousness is related most directly to the
subjective perception of self-recognition and language,
both of which are determined by culture and our external
environment as a whole.

5.3 Robert Monroe

Robert Allan Monroe became known for his research into
altered consciousness and "out-of-body experience". His
book 1985 Far Journeys showed numerous levels of
consciousness and innite expansion of consciousness.
The plants exist on levels of consciousness from one
through seven. They are on a vibrational rate on the levels
one through seven. It is the same pattern.
Animals exist on the levels of consciousness from eight
through fourteen, and when a person attains, when a consciousness attains level fourteen, it can no longer go any
higher unless it is willing to change its form of consciousness.
Levels of consciousness from fteen through twenty-one
are what you call human life on this earth.
Deep in Thought

When a person progresses to level of consciousness twenty

one, he then has the choice of going higher or staying
Timothy Leary and Robert Anton Wilson proposed the within the realm of human form, but he cannot go higher
Eight-Circuit Model of Consciousness, a psychologically unless he is willing to give up human form. [24][25]

See also
Buddhism
Freudian Theory of Id, Ego, and Super-Ego
Zen

Notes

[1] Calleman, Carl Johan (2000). Solving the Greatest Mystery of Our Time: the Mayan Calendar. Garev Publishing
International. pp. 1260. ISBN 978-0970755803.
[2] Calleman, Carl Johan. Calendar: The Pyramid of Consciousness. Global Oneness. The Global Oneness Commitment. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
[3] Lungold, Ian Xel. Mayan Calendar Time Scale for Mans
Evolution on Earth. The Mayan Calendar Comes North.
Mayan Majix Learning Lab. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
[4] O'Neill, Patt. Inca Shamanic Glossary, F - G. Glossary
of Terminology of the Shamanic & Ceremonial Traditions
of the Inca Medicine Lineage. Patt O'Neill. Retrieved 3
March 2011.
[5] Gillabel, Dirk (2001). Seven Shamanic Levels of Consciousness. Seattle, WA: House of the Sun. pp. 153.

REFERENCES

[14] Pons, F.; P. Harris (2001). Piagets conception of the

development of consciousness: An Examination of two
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[15] Buchanan, L. (1987). Assessment of Levels of Consciousness: The Glasgow Coma Scale. University of Nebraska Medical Center, College of Nursing. Retrieved 14
March 2011.
[16] Mates, Maureen (1992).
Altered Levels of
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doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5516-09.2010.
PMID
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[17] Tindall, Suzie C. (1990). Level of Conscioussness. In
H.K. Walker, W.D. Hall, and J.W. Hurst (eds.) Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations (PDF). Boston: Butterworths. pp. 296299.
ISBN 0-409-90077-X.
[18] Mhuircheartaigh, R.A.; D. Rosenorn-Lanng; R. Wise;
S. Jbabdi; R. Rogers; I. Tracey (2010).
Cortical and Subcortical Connectivity Changes During Decreasing Levels of Consciousness in Humans: A
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study Using
Propofol. Journal of Neuroscience 30 (27): 9095
9102. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5516-09.2010. PMID
20610743.

[6] Azariah, Jayapaul (July 1994). The Symbol OM (Aum)".

Eubios Ethics Institute Newsletter 4. Retrieved 3 March
2011.

[19] Holder, Philip. The Three Levels of Consciousness and

Humanity. Wing Chun Online. Wing Chun. Retrieved
13 March 2011.

[7] Austin, James H. (2006). Zen-brain reections : reviewing

recent developments in meditation and states of consciousness. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. pp. 1586. ISBN
9780262012232.

[20] Barrett, Richard (2006). The Seven Levels of Personal

Consciousness (PDF). Business & Economics: 248252.
Retrieved 13 March 2011.

[8] Deutsch, Eliot (1966). The Self in Advaita Vedanta.

International Philosophical Quarterly 6:
521.
doi:10.5840/ipq19666118. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
[9] Victor, P. George; V.V.S. Saibaba (2007). Studies
in Vedanta: Essays in Honour of Professor S.S. Rama
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doi:10.5840/teachphil200730319. Retrieved 3 March
2011.
[10] Bharati, Swami Jnaneshvara (2007). Om Mantra and the
Seven Levels of Consciousness. Raleigh, NC: Lulu Enterprises, Inc. pp. 132.
[11] Singh, Satya P. (2005). Vedic vision of consciousness and
reality. New Delhi: Centre for Studies in Civilizations.
pp. 1522. ISBN 9788187586180.
[12] Kriyananda, Swami (2002). Intuition for Starters: How to
Know and Trust Your Inner Guidance. Nevada City, CA:
Crystal Clarity Publishers. pp. 1127. ISBN 1-56589155-4.
[13] Izard, C. (2007). Levels of emotion and levels of consciousness. Behavioral and Brain Sciences 30 (1): 9698.
doi:10.1017/S0140525X07001045.

[21] Summers, Marsha. Levels of Consciousness. Studies

of the Inner Being. Daytona Music. Retrieved 13 March
2011.
[22] Wilson, Robert Anton (2008). Cosmic Trigger: Final Secret of the Illuminati. Las Vegas, NV: New Falcon Publications. pp. 1269. ISBN 978-1561840038.
[23] Morin, Alain (2006). Levels of Consciousness and SelfAwareness: A Comparison and Integration of Various
Views. (PDF). Consciousness and Cognition 15 (2): 358
371. doi:10.1016/j.concog.2005.09.006. Retrieved 13
March 2011.
[24] Far Journeys (1985) ISBN 0-385-23182-2
[25] The Innite expansion of consciousness & its levels.Robert Monroe

8 References
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Hardcastle, V.G. (2001). One consciousness, different contents. Communication and Cognition 34
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