Levels of Consciousness

Body Sensory Consciousness

Body Awareness is the conscious awareness of the physical body and the senses. In this state of consciousness there is no sense of self. The most important concerns are feeling secure and having physical comfort. This level of consciousness is typical of the infancy stage of development.

Affective Consciousness

Affective consciousness begins to emerge during the toddler stage of development. In this consciousness, an understanding of basic emotions is refined. They understand such emotions as happiness, sadness, and pain; however, they are very egocentric and have difficulty understanding such emotions from another’s perspective.

Mental and Analytical Consciousness

As children begin their formal education, Mental and Analytical consciousness develops. In this stage, psychological, intellectual, and conceptual understanding is acquired. This includes the development of relationships, habits, memory, personal history, self-image, and problem solving.

Transpersonal Consciousness

As the brain matures, the individual may understand that they are not just a part of a much larger universe. Not only do they understand themselves, they also understand that they affect the lives of others. They know that their identity is not dependent on material things but whom they are inside.

Unity/Spiritual Consciousness

The most complex level of consciousness is Unity and Spiritual Awareness. This includes the ability to develop a complex system of beliefs. These may include philosophical realization, political ideals, the appreciation for art, and religious beliefs. Not everyone reaches this state of consciousness.