Consciousness, in my thinking, is the set of information that defines the physical, mental and emotional characteristics of each unique being, and its instinctive interaction with its environment. This information forms our energetic being which is then expressed in what we look like and how we instinctively react - the mind-body continuum.

Our reaction patterns come from the subconscious (shaped by the field of consciousness) -- not the conscious mind. As humans, our conscious mind does not even start to develop until about the age of 2. However, we know that the subconscious mind is there from conception on, and is constantly recording data and reacting to life stimuli. The research on pre-birth data (which can be accessed by the conscious mind using regression techniques) is incredibly interesting and powerful. See www.birthpsychology.com And we know that pre-conscious imprints guide how people instinctively react to life stimuli. We are not born as "blank slates."

REACTIONS are consistent with the set of information about "how life is" in the individual's field of consciousness, such as what Malcolm Gladwell writes about in his book "Blink." Now the conscious mind might "interrupt" the instinctive thought/feeling REACTION before it becomes words/actions and change to a different RESPONSE ... or it might not.

The conscious mind has choice - free will - but when it is stressed, it often just lets the REACTION come through. If the instinctive Reaction is socially acceptable -- piece of cake. If the instinctive reaction is frowned upon (such as substance abuse or racism), then to avoid undesirable consequences, the conscious mind recognizes the need to interrupt and COPE. Whatever it chooses, the conscious mind continues to build its own "evidence" of "how life is." There is also the option for transformation of the information in the field of consciousness -- which then changes one's instinctive reactions. Transformation can also, I believe, change one's physical manifestation. My "Theory of How Come" explores these ideas further.

As far as evolution vs creationism -- why aren't we exploring the intersection of the two. Our scientific research absolutely demonstrates that physical beings "evolve." Also, I can believe that there have been ADDITIONS to the "set of information in the field of consciousness" that guides the development of our physical-mental-emotional nature. Such additions of information (from "the Word" of God?)would then give a boost to natural evolution. Scientists should be looking for examples of where our species has had a transformation -- or an "injection of information to the field of consciousness" -- and suddenly there was a new "level" of human development. Of course that would take people wanting to find the truth, more than wanting to defend a position.