Finding the Common Ground Between Science and Spirituality Where does energy come from? It just exists; it exists eternally without being caused to exist Contemplatives call it self-existent It is infinitely subtle and formless, therefore totally imperceptible, although it underlies all forms Consciousness Although matter is an essential condition for being a part of the universe, it is not alone Matter may seem sufficient for an inanimate being, but it is obvious that the animate must have something else in addition to just matter The animate must also be conscious Is consciousness perceptible by any one of the five human senses or the mind? No, it is not Because in itself, consciousness is not perceptible, how we know it exists? We know it exists because it makes itself manifest It is worthy of note that some believe that consciousness can manifest only when it associates with matter Our body is matter and so is our mind; we can be conscious only as long as consciousness can have an effect on our body and mind – just as an atom is only an atom when energy affects the inner parts of the atom Where does consciousness come from? A big question! We know it exists because of its effect on the material world Like energy, consciousness is also infinitely subtle and formless and therefore totally imperceptible in itself, although it underlies all forms of perception It is known by the effects it has on those forms Energy and Consciousness: Are They Two? Energy manifests as its effect on matter Consciousness also becomes manifest only when it associates with matter Then can we say that 31