[austintorn@aol.com]

Yes, consciousness is the functioning of the brain and the brain came first. No brain, no consciousness. Lower creatures with less brain probably have less consciousness as well as what is presented to consciousness. A snail, for example, may be only conscious of light and dark, warm and cold.

Further statements on consciousness to be an outside thought receiver or a path to a One are just conjecture since consciousness has not been explained (even by Dennett who wrote 'Consciousness Explained').

People always suppose things that just sound good.

How about: The Universe is made out of consciousness stuff. Sounds good, but who can prove it? Or say, the 3rd dimension is a projection. Sounds OK since we know about holograms, but, if it is, then that is nature's way; it doesn't mean a Powerful Guy did it, or, if not, that nature is a God or a One.