Consciousness is a fundamental fact. Mind is only an instrument built by Consciousness to express itself in ways that are tangible. For example, as the famous experiment of Sir JC Bose (replicated by others since then) shows, even plants that apparently do not have a ‘mind’ react and respond to certain stimulus in intelligent ways. They even communicate. So it is not the presence of the Mind as we know it that is the origin of Consciousness. Even submental life has its own awareness and responses. The mind itself is a product of evolution, an instrument that can receive and express and give forms of speech, etc., to certain ranges of Consciousness which matter and living creatures may not be capable. It is somewhat like electricity. It is a power that exists in the atoms and the clouds and the brain, but the electrical wire and bulb, etc., are instruments to receive and use this power in certain ways. That is all. In simple words, Consciousness is a fundamental Reality, Chit-tapas of Sacchidananda. Mind, life and body are instruments it has built just as a man builds a computer for his usage.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
