Can Consciousness Increase

Q: Does consciousness increase on enlightenment?

A: Let us look at this from two perspectives:

  1. From the perspective of Self: Self is pure consciousness (chinmatra) which never changes. So, from absolute perspective, consciousness does not increase or decrease.
  2. From the perspective of Jiva: As sattvic guna increases tamasic guna decreases. Tamas is responsible for mindlessness. Decrease in mindlessness is increase in mindfulness. So, from the perspective of Jiva (reflected consciousness or chidabhasa) mindfulness increases on enlightenment as sattvic guna increases.

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