Consciousness

"The coming to consciousness is not a discovery of some new thing; it is a long and painful return to that which has always been." Helen Luke

The above quote seems to perhaps explain why there are painful events in life.  Humans have long tried to discern why bad things happen; there are books written attempting to answer the question.  Are the painful events ones that help us return to consciousness, and what exactly is consciousness?  There are opinions abounding, but is it possible that consciousness is the same as developing into our full potential?  Becoming mature humans?  It does seem to involve mastering the ego; finding out that it is "not all about me".  It seems to involve getting a world view; seeing the perspective of the rest of humanity.  Perhaps caregiving is one way to further our journey toward consciousness.  Together, perhaps, we can intend it to be so.