The paper discusses the quality- of consciousness which characterizes the human experience. Humanness is seen as separateness. The birth and development of the sense of `I' is discussed and Western and Eastern viewpoints regarding the conceptual and non-conceptual modes of knowing are juxtaposed. Both dual and non-dual levels of consciousness are acknowledged and accepted as necessary aspects of the human condition. A brief statement about different approaches to altering consciousness is made. No definitive statement is made which evaluates the various schools or approaches except that the path should contain compassion.