Implicit-explicit gradient of nondual awareness or consciousness as such

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Philosophy of Mind
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Current models of consciousness use a 2D map (states vs. contents), conflating awareness with alertness or content.
• This 2D approach hinders scientific understanding of consciousness's fundamental nature.
• Nondual awareness, a basic, unified awareness, is inadequately represented in existing models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose an implicit-explicit gradient as a third dimension (z-axis) to the existing 2D consciousness map.
• To provide a more comprehensive framework for understanding consciousness, particularly nondual awareness.
• To clarify the nature of subjective experience by distinguishing basic awareness from its specific contents or states.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological description of nondual awareness.
• Functional analysis of nondual awareness.
• Exploration of potential neural correlates of nondual awareness.
• Conceptual integration of the implicit-explicit gradient into existing consciousness models.

Main Results:

• Nondual awareness is proposed as a distinct type of awareness, independent of global states or phenomenal content.
• The implicit-explicit gradient quantifies the degree of manifest nondual awareness in any experience.
• This gradient clarifies dualistic experiences and is crucial for understanding unitary experiences from contemplative practices, substances, or spontaneous events.

Conclusions:

• Adding an implicit-explicit gradient refines the multi-dimensional state space model of consciousness.
• This new dimension offers a clearer framework for scientific investigation into the nature of awareness.
• The model enhances understanding of diverse conscious experiences, from everyday perception to profound nondual states.