Consciousness is not uniform across all beings; it varies significantly from simple life forms to complex beings like humans. In simpler organisms, consciousness manifests as basic awareness and response mechanisms to the environment. As we ascend the evolutionary ladder, more complex forms of consciousness emerge, encompassing not only awareness but also self-reflection and the ability to engage with abstract concepts and language​ (Psychology Today)​.

One of the pivotal developments in human consciousness is the emergence of propositional language, which allows for the expression of abstract ideas and the narration of self-experience. This linguistic capability has significantly shaped human consciousness, enabling a deeper level of self-reflection and interaction within social contexts​ (Psychology Today)​.

The metaphor of consciousness as a theater, particularly the "Theater of Consciousness" model, illustrates how different aspects of our consciousness—from basic sensory experiences to complex self-reflection—play out. In this model, our private self narrates experiences while interacting with a public self, thereby shaping our internal and external identities. This framework helps in understanding how we process and integrate experiences from various cognitive and emotional perspectives​ (Psychology Today)​.