Expert: Anandapanyo Bhikkhu - 8/30/2010

Question
QUESTION:
can you please explain how consciousness springs from the unconscious. What
is the body of the unconscious?

ANSWER: Dear Richard,

Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question.

I would like to answer your question, but it is very broad. Where did you get the phrase, "consciousness springs from the unconscious?" and what do you mean by "body of the unconscious"?

If I understand your question a little better, I can give you a more complete answer. As of right now, I am afraid that my answer would be too broad - but I will venture an answer:

"can you please explain how consciousness springs from the unconscious."

Consciousness does not actually "spring" from the unconsciousness. They work together like light and dark. When the light is on, the dark is hidden. When the light is gone, the dark prevails. When our consciousness is operating, that is, when we are conscious - then our unconscious is not working. However, when we do not pay attention to our consciousness - that is lose focus momentarily (the light goes off or flickers) the unconscious has freedom to operate.

"What is the body of the unconscious?"

The body of unconsciousness could be many things, but basically they are a combination of our inner perceptions, memory and imagination.

I hope I have answered your questions,

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:


thank you for your answer. I think it helps a little. I assumed that
consciousness springs from unconscious after reading DT suzuki on zen. Is
the unconscious the same as the very subtle conscious or the storage
consciousness? Does the unconsciousness stand in lieu of atman or soul?
When the body dies does one return to the unconsciousness?

Answer
Dear Richard,

"Is the unconscious the same as the very subtle conscious or the storage
consciousness?"

The unconscious is basically our subconscious, that is, it is underneath our consciousness that we are aware of.

"Does the unconsciousness stand in lieu of atman or soul?"

No, the unconsciousness (subconsciousness) + our consciousness IS our soul.

"When the body dies does one return to the unconsciousness?"

No, we merely continue to exist without a body in some state (heavenly or hell) until we are reborn into a body.

However, these concepts you are asking about seem to be Zen Concepts. You might want to consult a Zen expert on these questions.

I am answering from a Theravada POV.

Sincerely,

Phra Anandapanyo