Is There Something Prior to Consciousness?

A man wants to know if there is something prior to consciousness. He says it seems as if awareness arises in the waking state and falls away when he goes into deep sleep. Does that mean there is something out of which knowing or awareness arises?

Rupert explains: ‘We presume that deep sleep is the absence of awareness. But that's just a presumption that comes from our belief that awareness is a property or a product of the body or the mind. If you stay very close to the evidence of experience, you will see that you never have the experience of the absence or disappearance of awareness.

‘And to postulate that there is something prior to awareness, is to believe that there is something out of which awareness rises. But, could that ever be known or verified? It couldn't. That’s what materialists believe – that matter gives rise to awareness which then knows this stuff called matter. But prior to the arising of awareness, how could matter be known? So, how could matter ever be anything other than a belief?

*This video is from one of Rupert’s in-person retreats at Mercy Center, 22–29 October 2023. For more information on upcoming retreats (many of which can be attended online via livestream) go to:

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Timestamps:

0:00 What Is Prior to Consciousness?
2:04 Materialism
3:18 Awareness in Deep Sleep
4:42 Being Aware Is the Only Constant
5:41 Deep Sleep Is the Primary Condition
7:40 The Most Accurate View of Reality
8:53 Falling Asleep Whilst Remaining Awake

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