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Originally Posted by JustASimpleGuy
I would say a careful examination of experience indicates we're always Aware regardless of mind state (waking, dreaming & deep sleep).
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interesting point and very true. we ARE always aware but the influx of thoughts dims the awareness a bit. Not only that, thoughts and emotions constantly overlay a screen of labels, concepts, ideas, judgment on top of this awareness. So, although we are aware, the intensity of this awareness is not always constant. Depending upon the appearance of anger, fear and other thoughts and emotions, we almost lose intimate contact with this awareness (not completely, but partially). (Like clouds hiding the sun, and later the sun breaking through).
Our awareness is conditioned by the body and the mind. This conditioning + awareness = consciousness (you can interchange the words consciousness and awareness. just mean that there is a pure way of looking and being aware, and an impure/distorted way of looking and being aware).