“Psychology stops when it reaches the limits of Mental Consciousness, or as it call is ‘Self-Consciousness,’ and denies that there is anything beyond. … Nevertheless, there are schools of thought that teach of these higher states, and there are men of all ages and races that have entered them and have reported concerning them. …
“There are two planes of Consciousness, of which we feel it proper to speak. … The first of these planes of Consciousness, above the “Self-Consciousness” of the psychologists (which we have called ‘Mental Consciousness’) may be called ‘Ego-consciousness,’ for it brings an ‘awareness’ of the reality of the Ego. … This Ego Consciousness is coming to many as a dawning knowledge—the light is just rising from behind the hills. …
“There is a stage still higher than this last mentions but it has come to very few of the race. … It has been called “Cosmic Consciousness” and is described as an awareness of the Oneness of Life.” ~William Walker Atkinson
Ego Consciousness?
While the three levels of consciousness described by Mr. Atkinson make sense, I think “Ego Consciousness” was a poor choice as a name for the second level. Most spiritual teachers consider ego to be a part of the lower level of consciousness. It might be more appropriate to call it Ego Plus Consciousness, or Beyond Ego Consciousness.
Whatever you call it, this is the first level of consciousness where you are aware that the lowest level of consciousness in a human is not the true you. You become aware that you are thinking about something, or reacting to something. That awareness is that second level of consciousness. Continue reading “Ego Consciousness and Cosmic Consciousness”