Awakened realities: Anton Sammut and the soul of consciousness

As Times of Malta commemorates 90 years of chronicling Maltese life and thought, it is fitting to honour a voice that deeply explores the inner growth of the human person. In Anton Sammut’s work, especially in his book titled: Consciousness – The Concept of Mind and the Transcendence of Conventional Thought, we find not only a philosophy of consciousness but a call to spiritual and intellectual maturity that resonates deeply with the values of this publication.

Anton Sammut’s Consciousness: The Concept of Mind and the Transcendence of Conventional Thought is a philosophically ambitious, thoughtful and complex work which explores ideas from metaphysics, epistemology and transpersonal philosophy. In addition, it combines the clear thinking of classical philosophy with the deep insight of mystical traditions. In fact, Sammut quotes various authors to substantiate his arguments and giving a wide spectrum of different perspectives.

One interesting theme discussed by the author is collectivism and individualism. Sammut quotes Dr Boehm and his book: Hierarchy in the Forest: the Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior (1999) where he stated that a person who showed individualistic traits was seen as a threat by the rest of the community and thus marginalised from the group.

To aid in this regard, the first moral concepts were created within the community, not necessarily good moral concepts but common morals which advantaged the ones in power and created an organised collectivism! Sammut elaborates further on the difference between a collectivist and an individualist. He also states that a person may be a collectivist but by time, the person feels the need to distance him/herself from the collectivist and develop more its individualistic personality. During this time, the person will seek more solitude and quiet for self-reflection and regeneration.

At the heart of Sammut’s work lies the attempt to reframe consciousness from being seen as just a brain activity or individual thought. Instead, it is a deep, universal reality that connects all levels of existence. He challenges us, from the outset, to relinquish what he terms “conventional thought”: that constrictive mode of cognition limited to focusing only on what can be measured or explained materially.

Sammut describes consciousness as a multi-layered phenomenon, structured through four main levels or paradigms. These paradigms—each composed of distinct levels of conscious experience—form an ascending structure of awareness, with each paradigm building on the previous. The highest level, Cosmic Consciousness isn’t an end point but a return to a deeper, universal awareness- the very foundation of being.

Sammut’s work draws from both Eastern and Western philosophies, including Vedanta, Plotinus, and Christian mystical theology. Yet his voice remains unique and unmistakably his own – rooted in Maltese soil and animated by a holistic, integrative vision whilst keeping the reader at the centre; making complicated subjects and themes more understandable to the reader.

The book is carefully structured so that each level of consciousness/ paradigm is clear and connected, offering a path towards deeper self-awareness and spiritual growth. From a professional standpoint, particularly in social work and the social field, these paradigms offer a helpful way to understand people’s struggles. Knowing which level a person is in can guide how we support them- whether they face challenges with self- identity, relationships, spiritual crisis, or feelings of meaninglessness. Sammut’s contribution is not just theoretical, but it gives practical insight and hope for progress.

The four paradigms of consciousness

This multi-layered mapping (paradigms/levels) offers the readers and practitioners a deeper means of understanding the interior states they or their clients may be navigating— looking beyond labels to understand deeper human experience. The paradigms are:

1. Individual consciousness – The common level

This is the most fundamental layer of awareness: the intuitive sense of “I” arising from perception, emotion, thought, and memory. Here, consciousness is bound by duality and centred upon the ego. The self is defined in contrast to what it is not (duality), fostering a mode of being marked by separation and psychological enclosure which in turn can cause loneliness and isolation.

Sammut critiques dominant strands in Western thought—from Cartesian dualism to modern analytic philosophy—for being overly reliant on this paradigm because it creates a narrow and self-centred worldview. Yet Sammut emphasises that this level is important as a foundation without which higher modalities of consciousness cannot meaningfully be reached.

In this level, one finds persons exhibiting high degrees of self-absorption, anxiety around identity, or persistent feelings of alienation and living in a materialistic world. Support at this level often involves reinforcing stability, fostering healthy ego boundaries, and cultivating self-reflection.

2. Relational consciousness – the advanced level

Relational Consciousness emerges when the self recognises that it exists through relationships- with others, society and nature. In this paradigm, identity is no longer just personal but connected. This awareness brings a sense of ethical responsibility towards others. In fact, in this paradigm, Sammut highlights that there is a change from egocentricity to a dynamic interdependence.

As practitioners we often encounter individuals stuck between these two paradigms—those who struggle with intimacy, trust, and belonging. Understanding these challenges as part of the tension between individual and relational consciousness can help practitioners in the social field to focus on empathy-building, communication, and creating a shared safe space.

3. The transcendental consciousness level

The third paradigm involves a radical ontological shift. Consciousness begins to detach from the empirical ego and the relational structures it once inhabited. Instead, it is a turning inward towards a silent, deeper awareness often described in mystical traditions. Sammut invokes terms such as “mystical union”, “dissolution of duality”, and “fusion with the Absolute”. Interestingly, Sammut explains that people in this level tend to develop very creative artistic talents, and this helps them to express themselves through their artistic skills. In addition, such persons go through inner detachment and quieting of the mind.

Individuals undergoing spiritual crisis or profound existential re-orientation may benefit from this paradigm’s insights. It allows space for transformative breakdowns, loss of egoic identity, or experiences of disconnection from material life— towards something deeper.

4. Cosmic consciousness – the enlightened level

This is the highest level described by Sammut. This level is described as a cosmic awareness where the self and the universe are one. It is not a distant idea of God but an intimate, living reality that connects everything together.

According to Sammut this is a level where few experience it to the full. Yet on the other hand, some glimpses of this level can be experienced in moments of awe or profound insight. By recognising these moments, it can help support the person during spiritual changes. Sammut states that while Transcendent Consciousness is inward and unifying, Cosmic Consciousness radiates outward. It is the very fabric of reality, the animating principle within which all things arise and dissolve.

Conclusion: A guide for personal and professional growth

Anton Sammut’s Consciousness is a work of quiet magnitude that beckons readers towards deeper levels of reflection and being. It stands as a rare text that not only describes consciousness but embodies it in its very structure and tone.

For those of us drawn to questions of meaning, identity, and the metaphysical dimensions of life, this book is more than an academic work, it is a companion for the inward journey. I can vouch that this book has impacted me both on a personal and professional level. In Sammut’s vision, I found a reaffirmation that consciousness is not a private chamber of thoughts, but a sacred unfolding of being-in-the-world. This is not merely a book to read, but one to dwell within – a book which encourages contemplation, insight, and transformation.

As Times of Malta marks nine decades of reflection, dialogue, and cultural witness, Sammut’s vision reminds us that the truest transformations begin in the silent chambers of the human soul. 

Reviewed by Sandra Abela, M.A. (Social Work)

Consciousness: The Concept of Mind and the Transcendence of Conventional Thought (2016), by Anton Sammut

ISBN: 978-99957-1-033-0