Can one be conscious without the "I"?

[Honza]

I think that one can and to be honest that is my prefered state of consciousness. This is what troubles be about I AM - it makes it sound as though there is no consciousness without "I" - but there is.

Everything from the atom on up has consciousness and intelligence in varying degrees.

I am not sure what you mean by the "I" but I would say that you are a physical body which is animated by your soul. If the soul were to withdraw, the body would die. Although the atoms, molecules, cells of your body have consciousness and intelligence, it is the soul that is the glue that keeps them all together in the form of your body.

[Honza]

The "I" is a word which we use to refer to ourselves. It is pure "self-reference". Enlightenment is self reference too. One becomes conscious of oneself and knows oneself. Solipsism is the theory that the self is all that can be known. In other words the theory of enlightenment is that self reference or "I" is all that can be known.

I disagree with this theory. I believe that consciousness exists beyond and despite self reference. One does not need to refer to oneself to be conscious.

It is true there exist something beyond your consciousness that you can be part of; but doing so you have to give up your Self.