The Three Layers of Existence: Consciousness, Mind, and Body In many wisdom traditions—especially Advaita Vedanta—our true nature is not found in the changing forms of thought or flesh, but in the unchanging light of awareness itself. If we pause and observe deeply, we can begin to see the layers of reality with increasing clarity: ⸻ 1. Consciousness Pure | Permanent | Non-Physical Consciousness is the essence of who you truly are. It is not a product of thought or the brain, nor does it come and go. It’s the silent witness to all experiences—thoughts, emotions, sensations, and the world itself. It doesn’t change, age, or disappear. It was present before any memory, and it will remain after all memories fade. In Vedantic philosophy, this is known as the Atman, the true Self—identical to Brahman, the infinite Absolute. 🕉 Consciousness simply IS. ⸻ 2. Mind Impure | Impermanent | Non-Physical The mind is subtle but unstable. It consists of thoughts, emotions, desires, dreams, perceptions. These arise and dissolve like waves on the ocean’s surface—never lasting, never truly “you.” Though it appears vibrant and powerful, the mind is only a reflection of Consciousness. It borrows light from the Self, just as the moon shines by reflected sunlight. 🌀 The mind is illusion in motion—constantly changing, never truly settled. ⸻ 3. Body Impure | Impermanent | Physical The body is the grossest layer—the most visible, tangible, and yet, the most impermanent. It is born, it grows, it ages, it dies. We often mistake ourselves for the body, but it, too, is not who we are. It is animated only because Consciousness shines through it. Without that presence, it is merely matter—an empty shell. 🌍 The body is a dense illusion—real only in appearance. ⸻ Layers of Illusion (Maya) Reality is like a dream layered with illusions. The body is the outermost illusion, the mind the subtler one, and consciousness the formless, eternal truth behind them all. Only Consciousness is real, permanent, and unchanging. Everything else is Maya—a temporary projection on the screen of awareness. ⸻ 🔥 Quick Summary • Consciousness = Pure Awareness, unchanging, eternal (💫 the only reality). • Mind = Subtle illusion (thoughts, emotions, ideas). • Body = Gross illusion (form, matter, senses). ⸻ ✨ When you know you are Consciousness… You are free. You are whole. You are home. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍