The Lowest States of Consciousness

The neuroscience of consciousness started with the Nobel Prize Laureate Francis Crick, who is notorious for having described the proper shape of our DNA — our genetic code [1]. Crick then predicted that the answer to the rest of the remaining enigma of what it means to be a human being — of who we are — would be found in the neuroscience of consciousness. Francis Crick was right about our DNA, and has also been found to be right about consciousness holding the key to unraveling the mystery of what it means to be a human being [2].

As clinicians, we cannot afford to be on the sideline — not when so many of our patients are suffering, not when there is so much unjustified suffering, and not when we have come to know so much more about consciousness from when Crick first started talking about it.

Here is what we know:

The lowest state of consciousness is the suffering state, which, has seven sublevels. This post is going to introduce you to the first two sublevels of the lowest level of consciousness. Ready?

The lowest level of consciousness one can ever be at is that of shame. At this level of awareness, we see ourselves and others in a very despising way. We loathe ourselves and others, and we see our life as miserable. Our main emotion is humiliation, and we go about life through a process of elimination. In other words, ways of eliminating ourselves or others, take place at a very unconscious level unless we raise ourselves to a higher level of awareness.

Needless to say, this level of shame is dangerously close to death. This is because, at this sublevel of consciousness, we cannot stand the pain of losing face, of being discredited, and of feeling like a “no-person.” In shame, we are small and we want to hide. We feel insignificant, except for the importance we put on our shame and how it defines our very existence. We then make sure to keep our heads down, do our best to be invisible, wish we were dead, and unconsciously do our best to make this happen, be it by accident or through other means. [3]

Early life experiences that lead to shame, including sexual abuse, may distort our psychology for the rest of our lives unless we resolve that through proper therapy or by other means [4]. This is because once it sets in, neurosis is formed as part of a survival mechanism through the process of symptom formation. As such, it is rather destructive to our emotional, psychological, physical, and mental health. This can manifest as low self-esteem, proneness to the development of physical illness, being withdrawn and painfully introverted.

While society may use the process of shame as a punishment tool, those who suffer from it often become cruel. An example is several children who display cruel behaviors towards other children or animals have often been the object of shame in the past [5]. Those who remain at this sublevel of consciousness can therefore display hallucinations, and delusions, including paranoia, particularly through the process of projection.

There is a sublimated form of shame that is worth talking about. This is seen in individuals who have managed to cope and sublimate their shame and compensate for it with perfectionism, rigidity, becoming uber-driven, and intolerant. Many of those people may become moral extremists, projecting their own unconscious shame onto others. Some serial killers are some examples of this phenomenon.

Lastly, because such a sublevel of consciousness leaves anyone rather vulnerable and fragile, some additional forms of compensation may lead to false pride, anger, and guilt.

The sublevel of consciousness above that of shame is that of guilt. At that sublevel of consciousness, we see ourselves and others as vindictive. We see life as being evil, while our predominant emotion is characterized by blame, and we go through life through a process of destruction, including self (internal) destruction and external destruction. [6]

Just like shame, guilt can be used in society as a tool. In the case of guilt, it can be used as a tool to manipulate and punish. Guilt, in general, manifests itself in a variety of expressions, such as remorse, self-recrimination, masochism, and any other manifestations of victimhood.

Of course, being at such a low sublevel of consciousness, one can expect a series of psychosomatic illnesses, accident-proneness, and suicidal behaviors [7]. Many individuals may struggle with guilt their entire lives, while others may do their best to deny it at all costs. In any case, guilt can provoke rage and killing. And this is why many of those at this sublevel of consciousness spend their whole lives in a process of destruction, be it self-destruction or that of others.

Embarrassment Essential Reads

Humiliations Galore: Surviving, Perhaps Thriving?

Managing Embarrassment

We will continue to talk about the sublevels of consciousness. Meanwhile, we would like to hear from you to let us know how helpful you have been finding these posts.