Emergent, but an aspect present from the start as the basic form of awareness, but which becomes increasingly obvious and self-aware "as growth and transcendence matures." As Depth increases, consciousness shines forth more noticeably, until: "shed[ding] its lesser identification with both the body and the mind ... in each case from matter to body to mind to Spirit... consciousness or the observing Self sheds an exclusive identity with a lesser and shallower dimension, and opens up to deeper and higher and wider occasions, until it opens up to its own ultimate ground in Spirit itself. And the stages of transpersonal growth and development are basically the stages of following this Observing Self to its ultimate abode, which is pure Spirit or pure Emptiness, the ground, path and fruition of the entire display." See also Anattā Aseity Ātman (Buddhism) Ātman (Hinduism) Sakshi (Witness) Tat tvam asi Holy Guardian Angel (Thelema) Jiva Nondualism Philosophy of self Psychology of self Saṃsāra Soul Tazkiah References Conceptions of self Religious existentialism