Stephen Hodge wrote:

> Since it [consciousness] is part of the physical universe,

Is it? How do you know this? Could you know it without consciousness?
Consciousness is not part of the physical universe, but part of your
experience of the physical universe, and in particular it is that part
without which the experience of the physical universe would be impossible. It
is a necessary condition for the physical universe to appear. So, what comes
first? If there is no consciousness, where is the physical universe?

'Out there, somewhere,' you might say. Consider again. 'Out there', what does
this mean? Where is it? Have you ever experienced an 'out there' without the
'in here' that knows it? This is exactly how avijja works: it assumes a
lasting essence, where none is experienced. It simply assumes it and accepts
it without question. But the meditative experience is that the assumption is
wrong. If one goes to the place where one can examine consciousness directly,
the confusion about its nature ends.

"The whole universe is constantly falling apart and coming back together. And
that includes the mind and the body which we call 'I.' You may believe it or
not, it makes no difference. In order to know it, you must experience it;
when you experience it, it's perfectly clear. What one experiences is totally
clear. No one can say it is not. They may try, but their objections make no
sense because you have experienced it. It's the same thing as biting into the
mango to know its taste." -- Ayya Khema

"What is the All? Simply the eye & forms, ear & sounds, nose & odors, tongue &
flavors, body & tactile sensations, intellect & ideas. This, monks, is termed
the All. Anyone who would say, 'Repudiating this All, I will describe
another,' if questioned on what exactly might be the grounds for his
statement, would be unable to explain, and furthermore, would be put to
grief. Why? Because it lies beyond range." -- The Buddha, S xxxv.23

Lothar