Understanding the Human Experience: Beyond the Five Senses and Five Fingers

The human experience is rich and multifaceted, encompassing a multitude of senses and physiological processes that collectively shape our understanding of our world. While the traditional list of five senses—touch, hearing, sight, smell, and taste—is well-known, it does not fully capture the complexity of our sensory and physiological experiences. This article delves into these additional aspects and explores the deeper connection between our senses, fingers, and the essence of human consciousness.

Additional Senses and Fingers

In addition to the commonly identified five senses, there are several other sensory experiences that play a crucial role in human perception and interaction with the world. These include the sense of balance, pain, itching, kinesthetic awareness (awareness of the movement and position of one’s body), thirst, and hunger. The apparent correlation between the number of sense organs and the number of fingers may be coincidental rather than intentional. Traditional lists like the five senses often align with colloquial and practical understandings rather than an inherent numeric law.

Expression of Consciousness

Consciousness is a phenomenon that transcends simple awareness; it is a self-existent, self-powerful, and self-knowledgeable entity. Consciousness does not cease to exist during sleep, fainting, or even death; rather, it leaves the physical body and acquires a different form independent of the physical plane. The journey of consciousness through matter begins with the creation of subtle principles within itself. These principles, according to the Sankhya philosophy, include Ether (Akasha), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jala), and Earth (Prithvi).

Athma, or the universal soul, combined with these five elements to form a human body. The Sankhya philosophy posits that these elements are not sufficient on their own, as each must express itself through specific senses. Akasha (ether) is responsible for touch, Vayu (air) for smell, Agni (fire) for sight, Jala (water) for taste, and Prithvi (earth) for touch. This harmonious configuration of senses enables us to interact with the physical world in a meaningful way.

Over time, consciousness developed mental functions, including the mind, which unified these sensory functions. This mind also replaced many reflexes in our daily lives, making our actions more intentional and refined. This harmonious configuration of instruments—skin, ears, eyes, nose, and tongue—allowed for the intricate tasks we undertake, such as writing, operating machines, and artistic endeavors. The presence of five fingers, in their final form, represents a pinnacle of evolution, allowing humans to exert a significant degree of control and exert power over our environment.

Human Evolution and the Role of Hands and Fingers

The evolution of the direct command between the mind and the hands is particularly remarkable. The ability to imagine a thought and have it executed through our hands is a testament to the extraordinary nature of human consciousness. This interplay between mental intention and physical action is awe-inspiring and sets us apart from other animals. Even if we had six or four fingers, the current configuration would still serve our needs effectively, as it is optimally adapted for complex tasks and interactions.

From an occult perspective, fingers play a crucial role in receiving cosmic vibrations. These subtle energies influence many aspects of our lives, shaping our experiences and behaviors. The configuration of our fingers and the number of sense organs we possess are not merely arbitrary; they are part of a larger design that influences our physical and psychological well-being.

The principles outlined in Sankhya philosophy, particularly the expansion (Mahat) and self-identification (Ahankara), add to the profound understanding of human evolution. These concepts help us appreciate the layered nature of human existence and the interconnectedness of our physical and spiritual experiences.