My path to writing Consciousness Came First has been shaped profoundly by early childhood memories and the influence of those closest to me. I recall sitting beside my mother as she read Aesop’s fables and tales of mythological heroes, gods, and demons—stories that sparked my imagination and curiosity. Minerva, goddess of wisdom, became a figure I hoped to emulate. The enchanting world of Peter Pan convinced me that, with a sprinkle of pixie dust from Tinker Bell, anything was possible. Shakespeare’s King Lear, as well as daily readings from the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the Christian Bible at my school in Bombay, further deepened my fascination with the universality of wisdom traditions. These formative experiences fostered my lifelong engagement with perennial philosophy, science, and music, grounding my personal narrative not only in abstract ideas but in the people and stories that shaped me.
When I pursued science and engineering at Imperial College and Sussex University, then embarked on a varied industrial career, I was constantly reminded of science’s immense benefits—and its limitations. While humanity had achieved remarkable progress in physical wellbeing, I sensed a persistent “void” regarding deeper questions about existence. Science could explain the “what” and “how”, but the elusive “why” remained unanswered. This sense of incompleteness was not just academic; it was rooted in my lived experience and curiosity. It inspired my first two books, which aimed to show that science and spirituality are not opposing forces but can stand together as allies.
Over time, witnessing the technological marvels of the modern world alongside an increasing spiritual emptiness, I felt that something fundamental was missing from our collective understanding of what it means to be human. This realisation was not a detached philosophical stance but a response to the world around me and the questions that troubled me within. The dominance of scientific materialism and secular values seemed to leave many searching for meaning. I questioned whether advances in finance, technology, and commerce could genuinely resolve the pressing economic, health, and psychological challenges we face—especially given the looming threat of environmental crisis. These reflections arose from a sense of concern and responsibility, shaped by my encounters with the complexity of the world where I discerned increasing fragentation and polarised views in society.
The theme of humanity losing touch with the “Key” of perennial philosophy became central in my work. I sought to restore this “Key” to those yearning for deeper meaning and to clarify what it means to be fully human. My magnum opus, Unfolding Consciousness: Exploring the Living Universe and the Intelligent Powers in Nature and Humans, a four-volume set researched and written over more than twenty years, was born from this desire. I aimed to bridge the gulf between modern science and ancient wisdom traditions, motivated by a longing to challenge materialistic certainties about life, death, and the universe that have left so many feeling disconnected; thereby to harmonise the various disciplines in science and the fractures in the world religions and philosophies.
Recognising that not everyone would have the time or inclination to delve into such a comprehensive work, I wrote Consciousness Came First as a distilled version of Unfolding Consciousness, tailored for the general reader. My conviction that consciousness is not merely a by-product of physical processes in the brain, but a non-physical phenomenon that underlies material existence, was shaped by years of personal exploration and introspection. I wanted to share not just philosophical arguments, but my own journey—my struggles, discoveries, and moments of inspiration. The book explores the subtle and invisible dimensions of human existence, offering evidence and arguments for timeless principles that have shaped science, philosophy, and religion across history. My exploration of “occult science” and the sacred knowledge of Nature’s finer forces reflects my search for hidden truths—those that mainstream science has yet to explain. Consciousness Came First is, at its core, an invitation to readers to question established scientific assumptions and consider the possibility that consciousness is the foundational element of reality. This is not simply an intellectual argument, but one grounded in personal experience, curiosity, and a lifelong commitment to understanding what it means to be alive.
To purchase the book and for further info, please visit Dr Edi Bilimoria’s website:
https://edibilimoria.com/consciousness-came-first/
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