Our brain is a highly sophisticated neural network, and there are other neural and information networks in our body (the gut) and across all living things, even bacteria.

Perception is just one component of consciousness, and different beings and organisms can perceive the same environment in very different ways.

Consciousness tends to be described on the basis of the information network being considered (our brains, or the information network of an ant colony or the bacteria within our gut, for examples. Think of these networks as like a radio receiver and speakers. The output, what we observe as measures of consciousness, depends on the sophistication of the receiver and speakers. Like comparing an inexpensive transistor radio to a sophisticated surround sound system. Just like with these mechanical devices, consciousness requires a source and the ability to receive. How that is then manifested will be a characteristic of the specific organism.

So the mystery of consciousness lies in its source. Religion and spirituality attempt to explain that source, while science still focuses on the “receiver”. However, the source of consciousness remains ineffable.