Every soul is pure high consciousness, but in the material world, the souls are covered by darkness due to entanglement with material nature. Some are more covered and some less.

Lord Krishna has the highest consciousness, He is always thinking of the well being and welfare of all the living beings in the billions of universes. He never forgets anyone, not even for a second. But at the same time, He gives us free will to act as we wish, for which we enjoy or suffer. This is similar to a father with many children. The father will feed, clothe, and provide education to all the children. But one may become a police officer (developed  higher consciousness) and one may become a robber (developed lower consciousness), due to the use of the free will, which each child has.

One main element of bhakti (devotional service) is to develop our consciousness to Krishna’s consciousness. We can never become equal to His consciousness but we can certainly increase it a much higher level. Krishna consciousness has two elements, one is to think of Him and the other is to develop our consciousness to His consciousness (Krishna’s consciousness). In this way we will also be considerate, loving, and merciful to all living beings. The reason why some so-called devotees behave badly is because they have not developed their consciousness to Krishna’s consciousness.

“May there be good fortune throughout the universe, and may all envious persons be pacified. May all living entities become calm by practicing bhakti-yoga, for by accepting devotional service they will think of each other’s welfare. Therefore let us all engage in the service of the supreme transcendence, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, and always remain absorbed in thought of Him.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 5.18.9)

Example 1 – Person A sends numerous emails to person B, and person B never replies. This is because person B has lower consciousness. Person B does not realize that person A is waiting for a reply. Person B has no consideration for others, due to the lower consciousness. The reason for the low consciousness is due to the soul being covered more in darkness. 

Example 2 – Person A asks questions to person B, and person B never replies. This is because person B has lower consciousness. Person B does not realize that person A is waiting for an answer. Person B has no consideration for others, due to the lower consciousness. The reason for the low consciousness is due to the soul being covered more in darkness. The person B might even have a high position in society like be a Guru, but still he has lower consciousness. Book knowledge and position in society are useless if one does not have an elevated consciousness (high consciousness).

Example 3 – People who kill animals or hurt others have lower consciousness. They do not feel the pains of other living beings due to the lower consciousness.

Example 4 -People who destroy trees have lower consciousness. They do not feel the pains of other living beings and do not realize that trees are needed by humans and other living beings for oxygen, food, reduced pollution etc.. They have lower consciousness.

Example 5 – Person A feeds person B for 20 years and then for some reason, a day is missed and on that day, person B vomits on person A. There is no quality of appreciation in person B, due to having lower consciousness.

Example 6 – People have no interest in keeping in touch with relatives and friends, especially with the elders, because there is no compassion or feelings for others. This is due to having lower consciousness.  

Example 7 – Some people are only interested in their own advancement and well being. They are self centered due to having lower consciousness.

Example 8 – Greedy people have lower consciousness. They are only concerned for their own belly.

Example 9 – The plants have the lowest consciousness and then higher are the animals and then higher are the humans. Among the humans, most have lower consciousness.

How to Develop Our Consciousness to a Higher Level?

  • One cannot learn to perform surgery by reading books, nor by visiting hospitals. Only by associating with a surgeon one can learn to perform surgery.
  • One cannot learn to drive by reading books, nor by seeing cars. Only by associating with a driver, can one learn to drive.

In a similar way, we cannot develop our consciousness by reading books, nor by visiting religious places, nor by mantras. Only by associating with those who have higher consciousness, we can also develop our consciousness to a higher level. Higher and lower consciousness are like the Corona virus. If one associates with those who have lower consciousness, they will become infected by them and remain in the mode of lower consciousness. If one associates with those who have higher consciousness, they will become infected by them and develop their consciousness to a higher level. 

When a soul has become purified, thus uncovered the darkness (elevated to the higher consciousness level). They become eligible to go back to the spiritual kingdom.