Neither can I explain consciousness. But I can and do experience it. I take consciousness as being a self-evident phenomenon; that it can be used to do great good, or great evil. Because I cannot explain it I simply accept it as part of the mystery of life. Naturally, I continue to explore ways of working with consciousness, for my own needs and for the greater good.

BEING BORN AGAIN
Looking back, I remember a point when I became consciously aware that I was aware. I remember that life--probably because of the death of my mother--became a serious struggle and not all fun and games. I think I was about five (1935). Not long after that, I came to the realization that it was up to me use my awareness to do good or evil, for myself and others. The struggle continued.

Then--I think I was about twelve, right in the midst of WW 2, after witnessing two attacks on Bell Island, NL, by subs, with the loss of 69 young lives, I finally decided, that despite the risks and temptations involved, to opt for doing as much good as I possibly could. Based more on reason than on emotion, I define that point as the time I was "born again". I actually decided: If possible, I would like to become a minister. Thanks to my ministers--especially the one I met in 1942-- teachers and family I was never pressured to believe in a narrow religionism, or fundamentalism.

BTW, for a video of Bell Island, and the role it played in WW 2, check out http://www.bellisland.net Watch for a picture of one of the two coastal guns, not far from the King house, which saw action in the summer of 1942. The subs escaped getting hit, at the time. However, I think that one of them, or one like them, was captured near the end of the war, off St. John's.